Posted by kevin moore on October 14, 2006 at 12:34 PM
I'm currently travelling twice a year to Kenya and up until now the longest lens Iv'e taken is my sigma 120-300 and used the sigma 2x convertor with it. I now want to use a longer lens but I'm struggling to make a choice. I'm looking at either the sigma 300-800 or nikon 200-400 f4 vr and again using a nikon 2x convertor with it. Factors in my indecision include the size problem of travelling with the sigma as I just couldn't put it in as hold luggage and then the image quality reduction and extra loss of speed when using the 2x convertor on th 200-400. Would appreciate any thoughts on the pros and cons of each choice I'm struggling with.
Posted by Alex Lofquist on October 14, 2006 at 5:34 PM
I used to work for Kenya Railways a few years ago. While my most used lens was a 70-210 I found that my 400 came in very handy at times. If I were to go back today, I'd take my 500 f/4 and a 1.4X TC. I wouldn't carry it with me but send it to Nairobi to be picked up at the shippers office. I would probably use DHL or Fed-X as shippers.
Q. Why is it that merchandise sent by car is called a shipment, and if by ship it's called a cargo?
Posted by Kent Staubus on October 14, 2006 at 8:53 PM
I think the VR function makes it a no-brainer to go with that. Have my doubts about using a 2x on it though. I'd use a 1.4x unless you can find someone who gets good results with the 2x.
Hi Kevin,
since you already have a nice tele zoom, I'd choose a good prime as the 500 f4 or 600 f4...they are very good even with TCs.
If you really need the image stabilization, you might consider to wait few months to see if Nikon announces the 500 VR, otherwise you might buy the Canon 500 IS/ 600 IS and a "cheap" Canon body as the 30D to use with the tele.
It's a no brainer for me because I miss the framing options of a zoom any time I put on one of my long primes. My next lens will be the Nikon 200-400 without regard for other brands. It's the right compromise between size and weight for travel, and the VR is a definite edge. My 500 f/4 is a marvelous lens but a royal PITA for travel. It's "possible" to handhold but not practical, especially if I'm not standing on a solid surface. If you can afford the extra cost of the 200-400, go for it.
BTW- I've always found Nikon's TC performance superb.
It has been 9 years since we were in South Africa, and that was with a 80-200 f/2.8 and a TC-201. For the most part, that was marginally adequate, but there were many shots that were too far away.
Best bet would be the Nikkor 200-400mm VR with a TC14E or TC17E. I don't think the lens will autofocus with a TC20E, otherwise that would be ideal. The VR and autofocus are absolute musts. Anything less for Kenya will be a waste.
The 600mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 would be great if you have your own driver, tracker and vehicle where you can then take your time. The 500mm f/4 can be used in a crowd, but the 200-400mm VR would give you greater flexiblity in framing the shot.
Discussion
5 repliesQ. Why is it that merchandise sent by car is called a shipment, and if by ship it's called a cargo?
Kent in SD
since you already have a nice tele zoom, I'd choose a good prime as the 500 f4 or 600 f4...they are very good even with TCs.
If you really need the image stabilization, you might consider to wait few months to see if Nikon announces the 500 VR, otherwise you might buy the Canon 500 IS/ 600 IS and a "cheap" Canon body as the 30D to use with the tele.
BTW- I've always found Nikon's TC performance superb.
Best bet would be the Nikkor 200-400mm VR with a TC14E or TC17E. I don't think the lens will autofocus with a TC20E, otherwise that would be ideal. The VR and autofocus are absolute musts. Anything less for Kenya will be a waste.
The 600mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 would be great if you have your own driver, tracker and vehicle where you can then take your time. The 500mm f/4 can be used in a crowd, but the 200-400mm VR would give you greater flexiblity in framing the shot.
Good luck.