Hi! I just have bought a new N80 camera with Nikon 28-80mm lens. I wanna buy another lens, maybe a 80-300, and donīt want to spend much money! I would like to know if is too big the difference of quality between Nikonīs lens and Sigmaīs lens?

Thanks!

-- Luiz Dequi (dequi@mailbr.com.br), September 09, 2001

Answers

Buy the Tamron or Promaster 70-300 (new version) with 1:2 macro focusing. It is less expensive and does as good if not better job optically.

-- F.L. (ls533@aol.com), September 09, 2001.

Just to let you know, a camera body is basically only a box that holds the film. It is the lens that is important. If you buy a $2000 F5 body and put a cheap lens like Sigma, Tamron, or such you are basically better off shooting with a $300 Leica ZX2. All in all the sigma is a cheaply made lens and is not worth it. I have had the Sigma EX 70-200mm f/2.8 @ $800 and it was not worth it. I ended up paying $1500 for the Nikon 80-200mm AFS and selling the Sigma for $500, what a loss for me! Do yourself a favor and stick to Nikon lenses, it will be worth it in the long run. By the way, if you were to sell your equipment it is also better off to buy Nikon, they hold their value. All in all you get what you pay for. If professionals can get by using a cheap Sigma why wouldn't they. It sure beats paying under $500 for a 300mm lens then to pay $5000. Get the drift?

John p.s. unless it is a bright and sunny day a zoom lens such as a 80- 300mm is a waste. The aperature on the lens is not significant enough to handle a cloudy day. Hand holding the camera would mean blurry pictures at 200-300mm range.

-- john (johnkim@asia.com), October 01, 2001.

Luis,

There is not a big difference between Nikon's "consumer" lenses (lenses that cost less than $150.00, which is what I assume you have) and Sigma's consumer lenses. Sigma makes very good lenses, especially in the lower price range. One person's opinion that Sigma lenses are "cheap" is just that - one person's opinion. Based to my own experience, Tamron lenses are good as well.

Buy what you can afford, and then have fun!

Todd

-- Todd Evans (toddevans@earthlink.net), October 12, 2001.

Don't forget what "Grand Master" Phil sez; Buy a the best lens you can afford, even if you can't afford it, unless you've got a 1 1/2" dork. You don't have one of them do you, Luiz?

-- uncle pervy (uncle_pervy@lycos.com), April 05, 2002.