Help on lense choice.

[bezzy3004]

I am thinking of upgrading my D40 to a D5100 which will be body only for £450.
The lenses i currently own include Nikon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 non VR. Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 Not stabllized. and nikon 50mm 1.8 af-d. (manual focus)
I would like to buy a quality lens, the problem i have is i struggle in low light situations with my current slow lenses the 50mm aside. I am undecided on a fast 2.8 lense or a VR lense. I have upto £1200 to spend i was seriously considering going for gold and buying the Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 G AF-S ED. Or if not, 2 lenses to the same value, my shortlist is below, i am amateur only not pro and photograph people mostly with occasional landscapes.

Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 G AF-S ED £1199
Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM £599
Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G AF-S DX ED VR II £589 (stabilised)
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM £899 (rrp £1539.00) (stabilised)
Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 SP Di £629
Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens £253.95 (stabilised)
Tamron 28-300mm VC Di AF £519.00 (stabilised)

Thanks Paul.

[petrochemist]

I don't use Nikon but my experience is modern stabilization systems are good for at least 3 stops, whilst the f2.8 lenses will only give you 1 stop extra.
You will probably find the new body will tolerate higher ISO before noise becomes an issue so low light should be less of an issue anyway.

[bezzy3004]

Originally Posted by petrochemist

I don't use Nikon but my experience is modern stabilization systems are good for at least 3 stops, whilst the f2.8 lenses will only give you 1 stop extra.
You will probably find the new body will tolerate higher ISO before noise becomes an issue so low light should be less of an issue anyway.

Thx for that yes of course the d5100 performs exeptionally at higher iso than my d40 so i think i ill go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS £900 and Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM £250 then i have a decent 18-200 stabilised range and a nice f2.8 too. i can pop the 18-125 on my d40.

[Arthur53]

Sounds like you have your lens sorted.
As a D5100 user myself, welcome to the club and hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

[gordon g]

I have used a non-stabilised sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG for several years now with my canon bodies and have found it to be an excellent all-round workhorse. Quick accurate focussing, good contrast, accurate colours, very solid build.
I shot some comparison images with this lens and a friend's canon 70-200 f2.8L, and couldnt see a significant difference when printing at 18" by 12". If the OS version has similar optics then you should be getting a very good lens for your money.

[bezzy3004]

Originally Posted by gordon g

I have used a non-stabilised sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG for several years now with my canon bodies and have found it to be an excellent all-round workhorse. Quick accurate focussing, good contrast, accurate colours, very solid build.
I shot some comparison images with this lens and a friend's canon 70-200 f2.8L, and couldnt see a significant difference when printing at 18" by 12". If the OS version has similar optics then you should be getting a very good lens for your money.

Thx for that Gordon yes i have the budget Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro 4-5.6 non stabilised its ok in very good light but as you can imagine very poor when the light falls off, or at the longer end just can not work with it on my d40
I'm definately going for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS My D5100 comes with a 18-55 VR lens and my current 50mm prime is manual focus only so im gonna get the AF-S version. Maybe sell my 50mm, Sigma 70-300 and kit lens for my D40 and get a little money back. i will have 3 lenses then for both cameras.
Problem sorted thanks guys.

[dorsetman]

Firstly why a 5100 and not a D90 as they are much the same price depending where you look. As for your lenses i would buy a dedicated Landscape lens which you can also use for street photography, like a Sigma 10-20 f3.5. Also when you say you mainly shoot people, i am suprised no one has asked in what capacity you shoot them. Do you do portraits or again street based work?? If portraits then look at a good macro lens which can be doubled up as a portait lens so you get tw purposes for one lens. If street work then get the lowest F you can. You could afford the 50m F1.4 which is a stunner and then you could still get a decent zoom and wide angle like the 18-270 Tamron or the 18-200 like you say. With £1200, you have some good options.

[bezzy3004]

Originally Posted by dorsetman

Firstly why a 5100 and not a D90 as they are much the same price depending where you look. As for your lenses i would buy a dedicated Landscape lens which you can also use for street photography, like a Sigma 10-20 f3.5. Also when you say you mainly shoot people, i am suprised no one has asked in what capacity you shoot them. Do you do portraits or again street based work?? If portraits then look at a good macro lens which can be doubled up as a portait lens so you get tw purposes for one lens. If street work then get the lowest F you can. You could afford the 50m F1.4 which is a stunner and then you could still get a decent zoom and wide angle like the 18-270 Tamron or the 18-200 like you say. With £1200, you have some good options.

10-20 is a little too wide. like i said my main problem is slow lenses my 50mm will do as a portrait lens as its 75mm on APS-C. this is the only time i will have such a large amount of money to spend so i really want a 2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 Stabilised is too good to miss at £900. The reason i am choosing the d5100 was cost i am on a tight budget i cant find a d90 anywhere with a kit lens for less than £530 also i want the articulating LCD. And if im gonna buy a camera with movie mode i at least want it to auto track which the d90 doesnt. And the d5100 is a very capable performer at higher ISO. Thx anyway for the advice.

[bezzy3004]

Originally Posted by bezzy3004

10-20 is a little too wide. like i said my main problem is slow lenses my 50mm will do as a portrait lens as its 75mm on APS-C. this is the only time i will have such a large amount of money to spend so i really want a 2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 Stabilised is too good to miss at £900. The reason i am choosing the d5100 was cost i am on a tight budget i cant find a d90 anywhere with a kit lens for less than £530 also i want the articulating LCD. And if im gonna buy a camera with movie mode i at least want it to auto track which the d90 doesnt. And the d5100 is a very capable performer at higher ISO. Thx anyway for the advice.

Also the D5100 has a better sensor than the D90

[surfg1mp]

You still trying to spend that money.... Lol

Looks like you have settled on the sigma.... only kidding I'm sure your be totally happy with it.

don't even consider the d90 for video, it sucks, that is one of its only flaws.