Can anyone recommend an alternative to nikon 70 - 200mm 2.8f

John Paine

Hi, been using the Nikon 70 - 200mm 2.8f for weddings but the weight of it is causing me issues as I recently broke my wrist causing it to be weak. Can anyone recommend an alternative???

Dooginfif20

What body do you shoot with? If you are using a DX body you could always switch to like a 85 1.4. That would give you 127mm. I know its not 200, but its not that bad. I have the 24-70 and its not too bad in terms of weight and on a DX body it would give you 36-105. Just a thought! If you are thinking of selling the 70-200 send me a pm!

lightyear

Nikon makes (made) several 70-210 AF lenses, but neither is VR. If you need VR in that range, do you need the lens to be that fast, F 2.8??? which is where the weight is. Check the recent Nikon lens section in the Nikon Product Line catalogs The Catalogs only list what is in the current Nikon lineup, but the prior years catalogs or an Internet website listing ratings of the various Nikon lenses will bive you an idea of what is avialable new and used. I personally like the 80-200 f. 2.8AF lens, but it is not VR. Lots of choices.
Stan

Art Scott

Sigma 70-200f2.8 ... look for a non OS (VR) version for a LOT less weight.
I cannot imagine shooting a wedding with a 70-200 f2.8... ... but that is just me.

Good Luck and heal fast.

ZBlack

Sigma also makes a 50-150 2.8 which I know Matt really loves. I am really enjoying my copy of it as well. It is no longer in production (there is a new OS version on the way though), so it can be hard to find, but there is one for sale in this section right now!! It is a fairly large lens, and I honestly don't know how it compares to the 70-200 in size or weight. It does not have a tripod mount on it if that helps?

Dooginfif20

Art have you used the Sigma 70-200 with OS? I am thinking about trying it out. Also is the Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS made for a crop sensor or full frame?

Matthew Saville

If you're on a crop sensor, I cannot imagine a better lens than the Sigma 50-150 2.8. It is over a POUND lighter than the 70-200 2.8 Nikon, I believe. Honestly I've been so spoiled by the lightweight feel of my D300 + Sigma 50-150 2.8, that now when I "must" use my D700 and 70-200 2.8... I kinda hate it too.

I'm hoping that Nikon comes out with a new 135 f/2 soon, but for now the options are limited.

One other option, if you shoot full-frame and the 50-150 2.8 isn't a good idea, is the Sigma 150 2.8 Macro, or the OS macro, or now they even have a 180mm 2.8 but then you're getting back into heavy territory. For the maximum weight savings and money savings, get the classic HSM Macro Sigma 150....

=Matt=

System

Dooginfif20 wrote: »

Art have you used the Sigma 70-200 with OS? I am thinking about trying it out. Also is the Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS made for a crop sensor or full frame?

I owned the Sigma 70-200 2.8 non-OS. Then bought the Nikon 70-200 VRII. There is not much difference in weight between the two. Also, with a broken wrist, the VR or OS may be just what is needed.

DsrtVW

I use a Tokina 50-135mm f2.8 for DX which works great for portraits and wedding enviroment. Also for full frame I have a Nikon 70-210mm f4 both which are smaller lenses. The tokina's only flaw that I have noticed is it does have some flare problems when shooting with the sun in frame. the Nikon 70-210mm is going up for sale this weekend at my local cameras swapmeet. It is a good lens but sits in my closet because of upgrading I have done.