Gene Wright compares the Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm,
Sigma 70-200mm HSM II, Tamron 70-200mm DI Lenses

Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 G	Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Apo Macro HSM II	Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro

I t was just before Christmas as I was talking with my wife (Donna) about my Camera Acquisition Syndrome (CAS). We agreed that I could purchase the $1,730 Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 G which I have long lusted after. Thinking about this lens reminded me of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker. the kid in A Christmas Story and the only thing he wanted for Christmas was "an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass". That describes me,  forever thinking of the Nikon 70-200 Lens. Well, today I decided to go ahead and purchase a 70-200 lens.

But here is the catch. My only Nikon DSLR camera is an aging (by digital years) Nikon D50 which was released in 2005. So here are some possible solutions. Best Prices for the Nikon, or Best Prices for the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Apo Macro HSM II or the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro. What do I want a 70-200 lens for? Sports and low light interior shots like weddings and museums. (I already have a 18-50 f/2.8 lens). A professional photographer told me that the only time he uses VR on the Nikon is for still shots and that he turns VR off in action shots (sports, auto races, etc). I really want a D90. larger 12 megapixel sensor, larger, faster SDHC card, faster continuous shooting mode, live preview. So life is full of money compromises.

Once I looked at it this way, I see that I could wait on the 50-500mm Bigma I also want and Best Prices for the Nikon D90 and also a Kenko 2X teleconverter, (I already have the Kenko 1.5x) with the 1.5x the Sigma 70-200 becomes a 105-300mm f/4 lens and with the 2x teleconverter a 140-400mm f/5.6 lens. The total cost is $60 above just the Nikon 70-200. I am leaning towards the Sigma because of the HSM

Specifications	Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 G	Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Apo Macro HSM II	Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro
Focal Length	70-200mm	70-200mm	70-200mm
35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)	105-300mm	105-300mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x)	105-300mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x)
Zoom Ratio	2.9x	2.9x	2.9x
Diagonal Angle of view (FF)	34º - 12º	34º - 12º	34º - 12º
Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)	23º - 8º	23º - 8º	23º - 8º
Maximum Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum, Aperture	f/22	f/22	f/32
Autofocus	Yes	Yes	Yes
AF Motor	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus	• Micro motor • Manual focus clutch
Compatible Format(s)	FX, DX	FX, DX	FX, DX
Vibration Reduction	• 3 stops • Auto panning detection • Active mode	None	None
Distance Information	Yes	No	No
Focus Method	Internal	Internal	Internal
Zoom Method	Internal	Internal	Internal
Minimum Focus Distance	1.5m	1m	0.95m
Lens (Elements/Groups)	• 21 elements/15 groups • 5 ED elements	• 18 elements/15 groups • 2 ELD elements • 2 SLD elements	• 19 elements/16 groups • 3 LD elements
Diaphragm Blades	9, rounded	9	9, rounded
Maximum Magnification	0.16x at 200mm	0.28x at 200mm	0.32x at 200mm
Dimensions	87mm diameter x 215mm length (3.4 x 8.5 in)	86.6mm diameter x 184mm length (3.4 x 7.2 in)	89.5mm diameter x 194.3mm length (3.5 x 7.6 in)
Weight	1470g (51.8 oz)	1390g (49.0 oz)	1330g (46.9 oz)
Mount Type	Nikon F-Bayonet	Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma	Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony
Filter Thread	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus	• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied Accessories	• Front and rear caps • HB-29 Hood • CL-L2 Soft Case	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case	• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case
Buy from	ebay	ebay	ebay

The Nikon lens is built to the very highest standards (including dust and moisture sealing), has super-fast and silent ultrasonic motors for focusing, and perhaps most importantly an optical image stabilization system. The Sigma and Tamron do not include the high level of environmental sealing (although both are extremely well built), and while the Sigma features ultrasonic focusing, the Tamron uses a simple micro motor system, which also precludes having full-time manual focus. A advantage of the newer Sigma and Tamron designs is that both have usefully improved close focus distances of approximately 1m vs. 1.5m; and both are much cheaper than either the Nikon or Canon.

Check avalabilty and prices of all 70-200mm lenses at ebay