Nikon 70-210 'D' or Tokina 80-200 Pro AT-X

[Mauro]

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm f/4-5.6D or Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AF AT-X PRO

What would be the better lens for shooting sports in your opinion, is the 70-210m as fast as they say or would the Tokina be faster?

[jcon]

Nikon 70-200mm F2.8VR. Thats my suggestion for shooting sports. You wont find a better lens in that range.

If your going to be shooting sports outdoors, you could save a few bucks and look at the 70-300mm VR.

The Nikon you mention, I have heard nothing about.

[Prospero]

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm f/4-5.6D or Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AF AT-X PRO

What would be the better lens for shooting sports in your opinion, is the 70-210m as fast as they say or would the Tokina be faster?

The Nikon 70-210 is not fast at all, it has a maximum apperture of f/4 at 70mm and f/5.6 at 210. The focussing speed of the lens is pretty good though (but not as good as the af-s lenses of today), which is why the lens is still quite popular.

The Tokina is much faster, though. It is f/2.8 all through the zoom range, which makes it much more suitable for sports. It does not focus all that fast though.

If you are shooting sports and cannot afford the 70-200VR, I would take a look at the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM Macro or the 50-150 f/2.8 HSM. The first has a bit more reach and works on full frame, the second is much more compact and lighter, but is restricted to use on a APS-C body. The optical performance of the 70-200 is a bit better too. Both lenses are f/2.8 throughout the zoomrange, so they can let in a lot of light and thus allow for faster shutterspeeds. Also, both lenses use a HSM motor, which is Sigma's equivalent for AF-s lenses. This means that they will both focus quite fast, which is great for shooting sports.

[K1W1]

If you are shooting sports and cannot afford the 70-200VR, I would take a look at the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM Macro or the 50-150 f/2.8 HSM.

+1
That's my suggestion.

[Tony_V]

If you are shooting sports and cannot afford the 70-200VR, I would take a look at the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM Macro or the 50-150 f/2.8 HSM.

The Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AF-S lens is another option. This lens is the predecessor to the 70-200mm F2.8 VR lens. Used this lens will probably cost more than the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 new but just over half what a new VR version would cost. While I can't say from personal experience the optics of the Nikon 80-200 are suppose to be superior to the Sigma.

Tony