Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS or Non OS?

[HPS3]

I have a Nikon D5100 and I cant decide if the OS is worth $600 extra. I would probably be using this for outdoor portraiture and the kids dancing and sports. Would I be able to shoot at shutter speeds lower than 1/200 hand held?

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

its a 3lb lens, thats pretty heavy after a while at a recital, as long as you use a monopod for stability I dont see why not, maybe rent one for a day to see is you like your results without the OS?

 

[HPS3]

I never thought about a monopod. This is when I wish I had in body stabilization.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have a Nikon D5100 and I cant decide if the OS is worth $600 extra. I would probably be using this for outdoor portraiture and the kids dancing and sports. Would I be able to shoot at shutter speeds lower than 1/200 hand held?

I never thought about a monopod. This is when I wish I had in body stabilization.

That is one of the things I like to point out to people deciding. There are new bodies available with IS built in that are less than $600 (Pentax K-r & Sony A33). IF IS is going to be important to you, then in body IS can save a lot of money.

All that said, I don't think you must have IS for what you are doing. It might help on the dancing, but it will not on the sports. With portraiture, I doubt you would need to get to slow shutter speeds since you are likely going to be in good lighting.

 

[HPS3]

I think I am going with the non OS. When I bought my D5100 I was really looking at the K-r (in body stabilization and focus) and the thing that drew me away was the focusing issues with indoor lighting. I could buy a K-r, Sigma 70-200 f2.8, and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for the price of the Nikkor 70-200 VR II.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A monopod will work better than any stabilization.

You don't need stabilization for sports because the shutter speeds you need to freeze the motion are high enough that the stabilizer adds little value. One exception is if you plan to do panning shots. If the stabilizer has a panning mode, a stabilizer can be a big help.

I haven't shot much dance, so I can't really comment on it.

I think a stabilizer is great to have for portraits. The best light for "natural light" portraits comes at the start and end of the day. You'll be trading ISO for shutter speed. With a stabilizer, you'll be able to use lower ISOs.

So how valuable is being able to use a lower ISO for portrait shots when you don't want to use a tripod or monopod? That's a judgement that only you (or your spouse) can make. Some people would spend the entire $600 to improve one important picture. Other people wouldn't spend the $600 even if they knew it would make a noticeable difference to thousands of shots.

 

[gundo870]

I think I am going with the non OS. When I bought my D5100 I was really looking at the K-r (in body stabilization and focus) and the thing that drew me away was the focusing issues with indoor lighting. I could buy a K-r, Sigma 70-200 f2.8, and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 for the price of the Nikkor 70-200 VR II.

Good choice.

Just a note on the Siggy 70-200...I was talking with a pro photog last year after he shot the Oscars. He had a Canon, but used the Sigma 70-200 2.8 instead of the Canon flavor. He said the Siggy was a much better lens, so I'm sure it is a good lens for Nikon's as well.

Also, have you thought about the VR I version? You should be able to great a great price on it.

 

[HPS3]

Right now I can get the Non OS Sigma for $749 from Adorama. The prices of the VR 1 are still around $1400-$1500. I really want this lens to catch my 2 girls running around the yard or park, indoor dancing, etc. Another plus is the Macro capability.

 

[ukcatfan]

Right now I can get the Non OS Sigma for $749 from Adorama. The prices of the VR 1 are still around $1400-$1500. I really want this lens to catch my 2 girls running around the yard or park, indoor dancing, etc. Another plus is the Macro capability.

I will confirm your decision. I think that your shots will have very little need for IS. It is a great option to have, but your needs just do not support the extra $600+

 

[HPS3]

Thanx for reassuring me on the Siggy. I think I will place my order Monday.