Nikkor vs. 3rd party lenses

[armywife09]

I've been reading forum after forum about this subject and realized some people posting do not own Nikon cameras. Since this is a Nikon forum, any thoughts?

[ptremb3043]

I have both Nikon and Sigma lenses. As a "general" rule the Nikon lenses are superior to the 3rd party makers, but there are some exceptions. Some of the small Sigma and Tamron primes are said to be sharper. Now this isn't to be held that any lens won't make good pics, you just have to work with what you have to find the strength and weakness.

[Chip]

I have a Tokina 11-16 f2.8 and love it. It's as sharp as I could ever need, great contrast and very good with colors, too. Works very well on my crop sensor D90. I just did a lot of research before buying it.

[scootermcq]

Some are good, some are garbage. It really depends on the actual lens you are looking at. If you were to ask about a specific lens, we could maybe help with some actual experience.

[armywife09]

I'm wanting to find a lense that will help with action pictures. Specially sports and riffel twirling. I'm usually taking pictures from the dugout or near first base during softball (non-pro players) and in the family section (closer than regular public) for the riffel twirling. I'm told that f 3.5 at the very least. I currently own a Nikon D7000.

[armywife09]

@ Chip: I hope you don't mind, but I checked out your flikr pics. Your laccros pictures are what I'm hoping to eventually pull off. May I know what camera and lense(s) you shot those with? Most of the pictures I took have the softball very blury and the players saturated.

[Dave C.]

Originally Posted by armywife09

I'm wanting to find a lense that will help with action pictures. Specially sports and riffel twirling. I'm usually taking pictures from the dugout or near first base during softball (non-pro players) and in the family section (closer than regular public) for the riffel twirling. I'm told that f 3.5 at the very least. I currently own a Nikon D7000.

I'd say you are looking for a fast tele-zoom then, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock! you will most likely be looking at lenses in the $1000 - $2000+ price range new. but they are AWESOME lenses and if found used you can usually save some $$ sometimes. I'd recommend the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR I.

[ptremb3043]

If sticker shock has just set in on the 70-200 vr, look for a used 80-200 f2.8 af-s (about $1200-$1400 avg, for a prestine used. less for one w/ some visable wear but all is subject to demand). you loose 10mm at the short end and the vr. If the af-s is still to much go for the next best thing the 80-200 f2.8 af, it comes in 2 flavors. the push-pull type (about $700-$900) that has one grip to do focus and zoom and the twin ring (about $800-$1100) that has one grip for focus and one for zoom. Both use a screw drive focus (slower focus speed but not by much unless you are trying to track a speeding soft ball) that the d7000 can drive and the same great optics.