patrick_rodgers

<p>Has anyone compared this to the new Sigma APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM? Does the HSM approach an AF-S in a Nikkor? Also, it apparently works with Sigma's optical 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters.<br>

Sigma also has an APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM for not much more. You give up some speed for length.<br>

I'm hoping someone has done a thorough pros and cons comparison of these to the AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6. Also, is there ANY chance an AF-S version will be available any time soon?</p>

<p>No one has commented on either of the two Sigma zooms. Does anyone have experience with them?</p>

<p>The Tamron 200-500mm was a very affordable option for long wildlife shots in Alaska, which is why I bought it. After that trip, I decided I needed a better tripod solution, so I also bought a good monopod and good head. The sharpness has improved, but I still think the lens is soft. Also, it does not focus very quickly (it hunts a lot, especially at 500mm). The lens has been decent for me, but I'd really like something sharper. And now I'm able to afford a better lens.</p>

<p>I have a D80 body and predominately use my <a href="product_link.php?ASIN=B000BY52NU" target="_blank"><strong>Nikon ED-IF AF-S VR DX 18-200mm </strong></a>f/3.5-5.6G Zoom Lens. For longer shots, I currently own a Tamron SP 200-500mm f/5-6.3 AF Di LD (IF), but I am considering selling it and buying a different long telephoto lens solution. I seek your advice on the following options I'm thinking about:<br>

1) <a href="product_link.php?ASIN=B00005LEOO" target="_blank"><strong>Nikon ED AF VR 80-400mm </strong></a> f/4.5-5.6D Telephoto Zoom Lens<br>

2) <a href="product_link.php?ASIN=B00005LEOM" target="_blank"><strong>Nikon ED-IF AF-S 300mm </strong></a> f/4.0D Super Telephoto Lens (perhaps with a <a href="product_link.php?ASIN=B00009XV7A" target="_blank"><strong>Nikon TC-14E II 1.4x </strong></a> Teleconverter AF-S AF-I)<br>

3) Sigma APO 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF DG OS HSM<br>

4) Sigma APO 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF DG OS HSM<br>

5) Wait for an upgrade of the Nikkor 80-400mm adding AF-S and VR2 technology (I have no idea if this is even being considered, let alone when it might become available). I've read that the current 80-400 is slow finding focus on the D80 (better on the D300).</p>

<p>I can't afford the faster prime lens or the Nikon ED-IF 200-400mm f/4.0G AF-S VR. I don't shoot much in the way of moving objects - mostly landscapes, cityscapes, nature...<br>

Thanks in advance for your inputs.</p>

To Curt Wiler - Yes, the issue is with the camera but it has corrupted the cards that had photos on them. We'd like to recover them if possible. Thanks.

Is anyone aware of image recovery software available for SD memory cards? I've heard there is such a thing out

there. Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

(The root of the issue is with my daughter's Kodak Z712 IS. We need to send it in for repair. But we would like to

recover the images on her memory cards.)

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Regards,

Patrick Rodgers

I have a Nikon D80 with an AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED. I

also have a Tamron AF 200-500MM F/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) that I bought before my trip

to Alaska last summer for long wildlife shots. In general, I'm happy with the

Tamron lens, especially for the price, but it is a bit soft and sometimes

difficult to autofocus.

 

My question is would you consider selling the Tamron and buying an 80-400mm

f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens (~$1500)? Is it worth the extra money?

 

What about an AF Zoom-NIKKOR 80-200mm f/2.8D ED (~$900) with a 2X teleconverter

(if there is a compatible one out there)?

 

Looking forward to your sage advice!!

 

Regards, Patrick

Thanks all!! It is indeed dust on the sensor - I checked both the "bad" and "good" lenses with a white background and the spot appears in both images. I have since ordered some cleaning products.

I recently bought a Nikon D80 and a Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens to go with it.

When I downloaded the first set of photos to my computer, I could see a small

circular dark spot appearing in the same place in photos that had a light

background in the lower right area of the composition (you can't notice the

dark spot in darker backgrounds). The spot does not appear when I use a

different lens, so it must be a problem with the 18-200mm VR lens. I've

cleaned every accessible glass surface (including removing the circular

polarizer). The spot still appears with that lens.

 

What else should I be looking for? Is this lens defective? Should I exchange

it if possible?

 

Thanks for any guidance.

 

Regards, Pat