that high-ISO images look
disappointingly grainy, but you do
love the touchscreen provided.
Considering that you have high-
quality DX format lenses, I’d
recommend sticking with that format
and upgrading to the D7500.
The D7500 is a far superior camera,
based on the same image sensor and
processor as the fully pro-grade
D500. It has superb handling and
all-round performance, while still
delivering absolutely fabulous image
quality. The rear touchscreen only has
a tilt facility, rather than being fully
articulated, but comes in very handy
nonetheless. Another bonus is that
the D7500 has an ‘autofocus fine-
tuning’ option in its setup menu,
enabling you to apply offsets for
individual lenses. Hopefully it’ll give
your Sigma 50-150mm lens a new
lease of life.
Q
I’m after a super-
telephoto zoom
but want something
that’s not too heavy,
as I’ll be using it for
prolonged periods of
handheld shooting.
What would you
suggest?
Sean GroverA
I bought the Sigma
100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS
HSM Contemporary lens a
while ago, and have been happy with
it. It gives generous telephoto reach
on full-frame bodies, even more so
on DX cameras, but is pleasantly
compact and light. I mostly use mine
for shooting motor sports and find it
comfortable even for those longer
periods of handheld shooting. The
shot of the mini with ‘underfloor
heating’ on the opposite page was
taken with this lens. The Nikon
200-500mm VR is also great but
rather big and twice the weight.
The Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3
Di VC USD is similar in performance
to the Sigma and has the advantage
that the zoom ring has the same
operational direction as Nikon lenses,
whereas it’s reversed in the Sigma
lens. That being said you can also
zoom the Sigma with a push-pull
action, and the hood is specially
shaped for this purpose.Secondhand superstar
Q
Can you suggest a high-
quality standard zoom lens
for my D5600? I want to upgrade
from my DX 18-55mm but keep
the cost down. Alison KershawA
Matthew recommends...
The latest Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm
f/2.8-4E ED VR is a super lens, but is
expensive at £989/$1067. I’ve enjoyed using the
now-discontinued and slightly ‘slower’ predecessor.The D7500 has greatly enhanced high-ISO image quality compared to the
D5500. This handheld shot was taken in a museum at ISO12,800, to enable
a sufficiently fast shutter speed to avoid camera-shake.
The Sigma
100-400mm
comes with
a specially
shaped hood
with a finger
and thumb
groove, for
push-pull
zooming.
Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
UPGRADING FROM AN 18-55MM, THIS LENS
GIVES YOU GREATER WIDE-ANGLE COVERAGE
AND MORE TELEPHOTO REACHRELEASED: 2008
PRICE NEW: £650/$650
‘Excellent’ £200/$250
‘Good’ £150/$150The aperture rating and
quality of this lens isn’t as
top as in the newer f/2.8-4E,
but it has a mechanically
rather than electronically
controlled diaphragm,
making it compatible with
Nikon’s back catalogue of
DSLRs. The high-tech
optical path includes three
aspherical elements and
two ED (Extra-low
Dispersion) elements, and
the zoom range is useful,
equating to 24-127.5mm in
full-frame terms. AF is
driven by a rapid ring-type
ultrasonic system, complete
with manual override, and
the VR II stabilizer is worth
about 3.5 f/stops in beating
camera-shake. Super
Integrated Coating helps to
reduce ghosting and flare.Key points
- Extending barrel
The inner barrel of the lens
extends at longer zooms. - Focus scale
This lens has ring-type
ultrasonic AF that comes
with a distance scale
beneath a viewing window. - Manual priority
The M/A autofocus setting
gives priority to manual
override, so you can easily
swap to manual focusing.
Groups/elements: 17/11
Full-frame compatible: No
Effective focal length
(DX): 24-127.5mm
Min focus distance: 0.38m
Max magnification: 0.22x
Autofocus: Ring-type
Diaphragm blades: 7
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions (dia x length):
72x85mm
Weight: 485gYOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED