Need to replace 70-300vr...cause I broke it

davidweaver · March 17, 2009

I shoot a lot of dark places. Mostly nightclubs, and small events. I broke my Nikon 70-300mm VR lens yesterday. It's an okay lens. Nothing to brag about and it does a fair job. Now I have an opportunity to replace it!

I shoot 6-7 days a week for work.
My daily bag has 2 D300s, a Tokina 11-16 a Tamron 17-24 and (used to have) a nikon 70-300vr
I have a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 but I only use it for wildlife and large outdoor concerts (same thing I guess) I've got lots of other lenses for studio or special use.

I need a replacement zoom. I'm covering the Perez Hilton gig on Saturday as part of SXSW so I need to buy something ASAP.

Been looking at the the Tamron 28-300mm (vr) about 500-600 bucks

Maybe I should just get the 80-200vr 2.8 from Nikon and forget about trying to get to 300mm. Then I think that a 80-400 would be nice. This gets me into thet $1000+ range.

I'm not very price sensitive but I also know that whatever I buy will get used so much that I will probably break it in 2-3 years.

What should I buy?

catspaw · March 17, 2009

if for work, get insurance?

Qarik · March 17, 2009

the 70-200mm VR 2.8 reviews are superb. It may be lacking the zoom on the high end though if you are used to 300mm.

ziggy53 · March 17, 2009

Qarik wrote:

the 70-200mm VR 2.8 reviews are superb. It may be lacking the zoom on the high end though if you are used to 300mm.

You can add the 1.4x teleconverter as needed and it is still somewhat better image quality than the previous 70-300mm. Much better build.

davidweaver · March 17, 2009

Insurance? I broke it. My fault= not covered.
The 70-200VR is a great lens. A TC might work but I can't see myself messing about with a TC in a crowd. If it's really sharp then I can give up the extra zoom range.

The Nikon 80-400vr looks interesting too.

I shoot ISO 800-1600 with the longer lens. I will bump an extra stop up (or more) in RAW processing and also use Noiseware when needed.

If I had a requirement it would be fast auto-focusing. I already use the center single point focus on the D300 as that is the fastest focus setting.

Maybe rent both the 70-200vr and 80-400vr for the weekend?

catspaw · March 17, 2009

*cough* just saying, selling 2 of those you mention in the Flea Market for Nikon. Renting for the weekend would definitely help you make up your mind. Great idea!

Art Scott · March 17, 2009

davidweaver wrote:

Insurance? I broke it. My fault= not covered.

This is not exactly true......I know of several photogs that dropped their cams in lakes and one that spilled pepsi on hers and they were replced by insurance at no charge (had full replacement insurance).........so it might be worth checking it out.........of Tx might have its own playing rules.

jonh68 · March 17, 2009

The 70-200VR is a great lens. A TC might work but I can't see myself messing about with a TC in a crowd. If it's really sharp then I can give up the extra zoom range.

You shouldn't have any problems with a TC in a crowd.

ban25 · March 18, 2009

Forget the 80-400 for fast focusing.

davidweaver · March 18, 2009

ban25 wrote:

Forget the 80-400 for fast focusing.

Well...I'll just have to wait and see. I bought a used 80-400vr from a fellow Smuggy and I will have it in time to shoot on Saturday - in an old supermarket converted to a nightclub/stage for SXSW. If it focuses as fast as the 70-300 then it is acceptable, I was (and am) hoping for faster - but then I shoot in dark places so AF is frequently iffy.

Need to replace 70-300vr...cause I broke it

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