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Archive 2017 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds

  
 
akjackson1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


In March I'm headed on a humanitarian trip to Zimbabwe and I'm thinking the group may not appreciate me lugging around my Nikon 200-500 everywhere to shoot birds when I have a spare moment. As a result, I need something inconspicuous that I can throw over my shoulder. Of course, I can bring binoculars, but I don't know my African birds well enough to be confident of my identification without some kind of photo ID.

So my question is, are there any sharp superzooms that would be adequate? I've looked briefly at the following, but seems like people say they're quite soft. Also, I've heard some have serious focus breathing.

Nikon 18-300
Nikon 28-300
Sigma 18-300
Tamron 16-300
Nikon 70-300 VR

I'll be using it on a D810, but I don't care about vignetting for identifying birds, so DX lenses should work fine.

Thoughts?



Jan 18, 2017 at 01:13 PM
Steve Perry
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


If it's not out of your budget, get a 300 PF - it's about the size of a 24-70 (in fact, I grabbed it the other day when I thought I was grabbing my 24-70 ). Super sharp, VR, fast AF too. On more of a budget, a 300 F4 of pretty much any variety will yield great results, just no VR.


Jan 18, 2017 at 01:18 PM
akjackson1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


I've thought about the 300 PF, I may try to make it work. I'd have to sell it at the end of the trip. Sadly, renting is quite expensive.
The other 300 f4 versions are a little large for being inconspicuous.



Jan 18, 2017 at 01:23 PM
nuclearjock
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


My 70-300 copy is super sharp wide open @300mm. small birds or large?


Jan 18, 2017 at 01:26 PM
akjackson1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


All kinds. I realize 300mm isn't much, but 35mp on my D810 helps also. My thought is, some kind of ID shot is better than none at all.
Maybe I'll have consider the 70-300. This is the FX version released quite a while ago, right?



Jan 18, 2017 at 01:28 PM
CanadaMark
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


For identification purposes only, even the cheapest lens will do. A used 70-300VR I imagine would be more than acceptable for such purposes (yes it's fairly old now, 2006). If you want compact AND performance though the obvious choice is the 300 PF previously mentioned.

The 200-500 is certainly larger than a 300 PF, but it isn't that big - I don't know your scenario exactly but it may not be as bad as you think, and you get another 200mm. 300mm is a little on the short side for a lot of birds.



Jan 18, 2017 at 01:28 PM
Todd Warnke
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


What about a Coolpix P900? Gets you past 300, is acceptably sharp, cheap enough, and may sub as a semi-walkaround body as well.

Peace,

Todd



Jan 18, 2017 at 01:38 PM
gpelpel
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


I also recommend the 300/4 PF. Add a TC-20eiii and you get a super light 600mm. This TC won't produce as good images as the TC-14eiii but it's still very usable.


Jan 18, 2017 at 01:40 PM
elkhornsun
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


The 80-400mm is much smaller than the 200-500mm lens. For a bare minimum kit and starting from scratch I would take a D5300 camera with the 70-200mm f/4 lens and a TC14 teleconverter.

The D800 at DX crop provides a 15.3 megapixel image size as compared to 24 megapixels with the D5300 which also provides built-in GPS for geotagging your images so you know later what was shot where. Nikon View automatically links to google maps for displaying locations for images in the browser.



Jan 18, 2017 at 02:44 PM
Gunzorro
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


If you don't mind manual focus, how about the 300/4.5 IF EF AIS? The smallest of the MF models and the most recent, and with best optics. Can be found used for around $250 and weighs in at only 990g.

I'm waiting on one, so that's why I'm up on it! Will be using on D800e for non-action related stuff.



Jan 19, 2017 at 02:58 PM
myotis
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


A Nikon 1 (V2 or V3) with a 70-300cx (200 -800mm FF equivalent) lens is close to perfect for this, with a total weight of about 1kg in a very small package.

Processing with DXO and prime noise reduction, gives much better quality than you might expect from the small sensor.

Have a look at http://tomstirrphotography.com for a lot of useful back ground on using Nikon 1's for Bird photography, and the Nikon 1 forum at DPReview, where there are a few people using Nikon 1's for bird photography.

Cheers,

Graham








Jan 19, 2017 at 05:03 PM
kingmeow
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


nuclearjock wrote:
My 70-300 copy is super sharp wide open @300mm. small birds or large?


Mine too! I read that some have complained that it is slightly soft above 200mm but not mine.
---------------------------------------------

akjackson1 wrote:
Maybe I'll have consider the 70-300. This is the FX version released quite a while ago, right?


Yes, this one.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_AF_S_VR_Zoom_Nikkor.html



Jan 19, 2017 at 06:32 PM
binary visions
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


My 70-300 VR is quite decent, even at 300mm. The bigger problem is focus speed, which is quite poor. Also, I'm not sure that "any lens will do" is correct - at longer distances, muddy details can be the difference between identifying and not (especially when you're not incredibly familiar with the local birdlife).

If you can swing it, the 300mm PF is small and fast to focus. Alternately, the previously-mentioned solution of a Nikon 1 body and 70-300mm CX (or essentially any >100mm lens) is a great solution for just ID purposes. The Nikon 1 with an F-mount adapter and the 70-300mm VR (regular FF version) is pretty good with a lot more pixel density than the big camera.



Jan 19, 2017 at 09:08 PM
kingmeow
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


binary visions wrote:
My 70-300 VR is quite decent, even at 300mm. The bigger problem is focus speed, which is quite poor.


Interesting, even though it's an AF-S lens? I can't say I've noticed that on my copy.



Jan 20, 2017 at 08:36 AM
morris
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


If your goal is a lightweight versatile walk around lens I'm quite happy with my Tamron 16-300. it's quite sharp, light and dust and water resistant. There is a bit of distortion on the wide side which can be corrected with software such as Photoshop's lens filter.

Morris



Jan 20, 2017 at 11:08 AM
binary visions
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


kingmeow wrote:
Interesting, even though it's an AF-S lens? I can't say I've noticed that on my copy.


I didn't see this before, sorry for the delay.

Not all AF-S lenses are equal. The big guns, for example, focus massively faster than all of the consumer lenses. It depends on the speed and construction of the AF-S motor.

The 70-300 has a pretty slow AF-S motor, all things considered. If you use, for instance, even a moderately expensive lens - like either version of the 300mm f/4 lenses, or the 80-400mm AF-S, or the 200-500mm, you'll see a really significant increase in focus speed.



Jan 24, 2017 at 06:23 PM
Andre Labonte
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


Tamron 70-300 can be had for $250. Just as good as the Nikon 70-300 but for a lot less $$$


Jan 24, 2017 at 06:25 PM
Grantland
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


akjackson1 wrote:
In March I'm headed on a humanitarian trip to Zimbabwe and I'm thinking the group

Thoughts?


Obviously, you have a great heart to help others! Refreshing.

You are giving both time and money to help others and you care about. Nice.

If the "group" cannot accept your desire, on your free time, to shoot wildlife in Africa . . . Sad.

Love the people, serve the people and help them. And on your free time . . . drink coffee or shoot wildlife. Bring the best equipment you have or can acquire.

FYI: I lead outreaches to people in need. I always appreciate what people can give . . . NEVER . . . what they can't.

You have a good heart!




Jan 24, 2017 at 10:14 PM
rjb6893
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


+1 on the Tamron 70-300 VC. Tammy is sharper than the Nikon on the long end (I've had both). Best low cost way to get to 300mm.


Jan 24, 2017 at 11:16 PM
lorac
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sharp, small, 300mm zoom for identifying birds


binary visions wrote:
I didn't see this before, sorry for the delay.

Not all AF-S lenses are equal. The big guns, for example, focus massively faster than all of the consumer lenses. It depends on the speed and construction of the AF-S motor.

The 70-300 has a pretty slow AF-S motor, all things considered. If you use, for instance, even a moderately expensive lens - like either version of the 300mm f/4 lenses, or the 80-400mm AF-S, or the 200-500mm, you'll see a really significant increase in focus speed.


Very true that not all AF-S lenses are equal in terms of focus speed, but I have to say this is the first time I've ever seen written that the 70-300VR focus speed is "quite poor". Obviously you're entitled to that opinion, but I'm not sure how much general agreement you'd find. Relative to the tastest focus lenses costing much more, I have no doubt it's slower, but "poor"? Curious how I was able to get so many hummer shots with poor focus speed on various bodies.

To the OP if you want a lightweight zoom, I'd consider the Nikon 70-300VR or the Tamron equivalent. IQ and focus speed won't be equal to the 300mm PF, but definitely adequate or maybe even a little more than adequate. I would stop down either lens a little on the long end.




Jan 25, 2017 at 02:18 AM
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