Help choosing telephoto lens - f/2.8 vs. VR

[photo_chick]

Renting a lens isn't really an option for me right now because I'm not making any money from photography, and I feel like the money spent on a lens rental would probably be put to better use if saved towards purchasing that lens.

It can save you from buying the wrong lens for you. I don't see the point in renting entry level or even mid level lenses. But if you're considering a higher end lens that small rental fee can save you a whole lot down the road.

 

[havoc315]

It can save you from buying the wrong lens for you. I don't see the point in renting entry level or even mid level lenses. But if you're considering a higher end lens that small rental fee can save you a whole lot down the road.

Agreed. For ultra expensive equipment, it's a darn good test run. Especially since it's often equipment you can't even hold in a store.

And as mom2rtk pointed out -- there is gear that might be very useful on occasion, but not worth owning.

And getting back to OP, you may fall in love with primes. Often affordable high image quality, fast lenses, and compact.
There are times I just pack my 50, 85 and 135 and go. Gives me high quality but compact lens system. And since I post process everything anyway (and with the high resolution of today's cameras), I can always fine tune the composition with a crop. (Thus effectively, it's like having 50-85, 85-135, 135-200).

 

[boBQuincy]

Get the f/2.8.

My next lens purchase (soon) will be a f/2.8 long lens (Panasonic 35-100, 70-200 equivalent on micro 4/3). I have a 45-175, it is sharp and has IS but it is f/4 to f/5.6. The f/2.8 lenses focus faster and the extra 1 to 2 stops can make the difference between blur and acceptably sharp for moving subjects.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I wanted to post an update!

I still haven't purchased a telephoto lens, but I did rent the NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens for an event last weekend.


DYW 2015 by vshingl, on Flickr


DYW 2015 by vshingl, on Flickr

The f/2.8 was rather necessary to keep a fast shutter speed. My ISO was 6400, and I was still bringing up the exposure a bit in Lightroom (shot RAW). The lens was large and heavy, though, and I'm not positive that I need or want to own one.

But I did have a lot of fun the next day just shooting around my home...


VIC_3462 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3398 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3405 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3447 by vshingl, on Flickr

I'm still torn. I would like this focal length and aperture for travel, I think... but it is a lot to carry. I'm going on a Disney Cruise in May and would love that lens for stage shows (do they even allow you to photograph their stage shows, or have I been seeing photos taken without permission?)... and this lens would be awesome for Fantasmic. Those do seem like novelty situations, but I was talking to my former boss who is a professional photographer last month about the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and he said he purchased his 20 something years ago and is still shooting with it.

Perhaps I should rent a prime lens next...

 

[mom2rtk]

I wanted to post an update!

I still haven't purchased a telephoto lens, but I did rent the NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens for an event last weekend.



The f/2.8 was rather necessary to keep a fast shutter speed. My ISO was 6400, and I was still bringing up the exposure a bit in Lightroom (shot RAW). The lens was large and heavy, though, and I'm not positive that I need or want to own one.

But I did have a lot of fun the next day just shooting around my home...


I'm still torn. I would like this focal length and aperture for travel, I think... but it is a lot to carry. I'm going on a Disney Cruise in May and would love that lens for stage shows (do they even allow you to photograph their stage shows, or have I been seeing photos taken without permission?)... and this lens would be awesome for Fantasmic. Those do seem like novelty situations, but I was talking to my former boss who is a professional photographer last month about the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and he said he purchased his 20 something years ago and is still shooting with it.

Perhaps I should rent a prime lens next...

Thanks for sharing your lovely shots!

I have been reading along because I am also looking for the best balance of aperture/IS/size/weight in a telephoto. I still am not sure which direction to go, but have been leaning lately toward a prime.

We have not been on a DCL cruise, but have heard that they used to allow photography during their shows but recently (last year or so?) changed to not allowing it.

 

[havoc315]

I wanted to post an update!

I still haven't purchased a telephoto lens, but I did rent the NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens for an event last weekend.


DYW 2015 by vshingl, on Flickr


DYW 2015 by vshingl, on Flickr

The f/2.8 was rather necessary to keep a fast shutter speed. My ISO was 6400, and I was still bringing up the exposure a bit in Lightroom (shot RAW). The lens was large and heavy, though, and I'm not positive that I need or want to own one.

But I did have a lot of fun the next day just shooting around my home...


VIC_3462 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3398 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3405 by vshingl, on Flickr


VIC_3447 by vshingl, on Flickr

I'm still torn. I would like this focal length and aperture for travel, I think... but it is a lot to carry. I'm going on a Disney Cruise in May and would love that lens for stage shows (do they even allow you to photograph their stage shows, or have I been seeing photos taken without permission?)... and this lens would be awesome for Fantasmic. Those do seem like novelty situations, but I was talking to my former boss who is a professional photographer last month about the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and he said he purchased his 20 something years ago and is still shooting with it.

Perhaps I should rent a prime lens next...

No, you're not allowed to photograph stage shows on cruises. You may get away with a discreet camera, but that lens won't be discreet.

I'm not saying that you'd find a prime lens to be a total replacement, but you will never regret owning an affordable prime lens.
Even if you end up with both a prime, and the 70-200/2.8...

A prime generally is better for portraits, with nicer bokeh than you typically see in a zoom lens.

The other thing-- if you buy a good but old used prime lens off eBay... If you dislike it, you can always resell it for nearly the same price. (Thus even cheaper than renting)

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Thanks for sharing your lovely shots!

I have been reading along because I am also looking for the best balance of aperture/IS/size/weight in a telephoto. I still am not sure which direction to go, but have been leaning lately toward a prime.

We have not been on a DCL cruise, but have heard that they used to allow photography during their shows but recently (last year or so?) changed to not allowing it.

Thank you! That makes sense - I have seen some beautiful photos of the stage shows taken by pro photographers, but that was back in 2011/12.