Can't decide what lens to get

I have a Nikon D80, and I love my Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/sigma150-500/

It works great for aviation!

I have Canon's version of that lens, and it's perfect for spotting. Can't speak for Nikon, but I'm sure it's just as good (specs are nearly identical). It's probably the best zoom lens you can get without spending major $$$.

These photos were all taken with it: http://www.airport-data.com/photographers/Darryl+Roach;5252/AUS;24086;1.html

I've come across this one:

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/zoom/af-s_vr_zoom70-300mmf_45-56g_if/index.htm

Anyone have any reviews?

Hi ajheiser

I use a Nikon D50 with a 70-300mm lens albeit with out VR and have no problems,i will put some shots on when get used to this site only joined today

and seen your question hope this helps

jj

I have the following lenses:

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IF-ED

This lens is very handy for most distances. It is widely believed to be a little soft, and that matches my experience. I've found that the VR feature should be disabled when taking still or long exposed shots.

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D IF-ED

This is a great lens. Despite losing a stop, I've found that it consistently produces sharper and more vibrant images than the 18-200 mentioned above - in overlapping focal lengths. So if I'm shooting anywhere between 70-200mm, I'll choose this lens over the 18-200. Obvious drawback is that it won't work for close shots.

AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8 ED

This is an old lens I used w/ 35mm equipment and I was amazed at the quality it produces on my D300. This lens is the sharpest, clearest of any I've used. Unfortunately, it's a prime 60mm, and I'm not usually at a distance from my subject where that length works. If I have room to position myself so that 60mm fits the subject - this is the lens to use.

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX

Brand new, and haven't shot aviation photos with it yet. For indoor residential shots and some dramatic artistic shots, it's pretty cool. I got it with aircraft interiors & cockpits in mind.

I own both a Sigma 150-500mm OS and a Sigma 80-400mm OS.

I like both quite a bit.

Although I have been very happy with the results, I have noticed that there is a bit of blur in many of the photos.

test results

http://www.stockholmviews.com/sigma_150-500_os/sigmapage1.html

It may be time to step up to the next level. Some one told me that primes produce the best aviation (Ground to Air) photos. Is that true?

Prime lenses are more valuable for a lot of action photography in my opinion than still life, as usually they are more simple to operate in manual mode, and from my limited experience with primes, they seen to focus faster and more accurately in auto focus mode. I shoot Canon, but I don't think that it would be a huge leap to say that Nikon primes are closely in pursuit of the same wonderful attributes. I could be wrong!

I am friends with a aerial photogragher, but due to some of the nature of his shots, he does not shoot air-to-air with prime lenses, and opts for the telephoto. This is for both safety reasons, and for versatility. Often times he flies while he shoots, and in that event its better for him to have a little separation between the aircraft, and in looking at his photos you would never know that he isn't wingtip-to-wingtip.

I hope some of this helps!

Often times he flies while he shoots...

Really?? He can take pictures in "loose" formation while flying the aircraft?

In the air-2-air I have heard about, the pilot always looks out for traffic ahead, and the following aircraft watches position lead

and makes sure there is no collision. The photographer does not fly the aircraft, but relays on the position changes to the "following" aircraft.

This sounds a bit dangerous... Even with a large separation…