Frogfish Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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dkerins wrote:
Any thoughts about a MC TELE ROKKOR - HF 1:4.5 f = 30cm. There is one for sale in my home town for $150 CAD. Some initial research says it doesn't suck.
Again, for what it's worth, I'd say try out the MF 500 mirror lenses first. Unless you have bird-craft, which you don't (not a criticism, a long time birder speaking here and it's always difficult for newbies to start spotting birds and know which birds can be approached and how and when).
I still think a 300 is far too short for you (unless you are happy with garden or hide birding. The Rokkor or Tamron BB can be picked up for under $100 and are very light with (I found) a long focus throw and can be very precisely focused. The only major negative is the bokeh (which some people grow to like, I'm not too against it myself) - Google it for images of the lenses and bokeh.
The f8 is an issue but then you won't be shooting an MF 300/4 at f4 either (unless you like soft and CA ridden shots), especially if you are starting this endeavour in Winter.
Another option which no one has mentioned and which is used by many birders, are the super-zoom cameras, e.g those from Nikon and Panasonic are especially popular. These will likely give you far better shots, and far more keepers, than any old MF lens.
Some of these superzooms are expensive now but others are selling new for around your budget. Maybe look for a bargain on Black Friday or buy a used camera. The Nikon B700 is even in your reach new.
You can get super-slo-mo video, 4k, 12 fps, Wi-Fi, 20MP, f2.8, weather-sealing, super-macro etc. etc. and an equivalent to 25mm to 800mm with some lenses supplied by Leica etc.
Here's an old thread on the Canon I used to have as a backup to my DSLRs on trips (not my pics) but which gives you an idea of the IQ you can get from these cameras (that is, much better and with far more reach than an old 300-400mm MF lens) :
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-11-best-ultra-zoom-bridge-digital-cameras-2017-16928
Tip : make sure it has a monopod/tripod mount as the incredible zoom will give you shake, even if they have some form of stabilisation (not sure if they do - it's been a while since I was in that arena). Also MF override is important for when a bird is partially screened by twigs in a bush or tree. Check the many birding websites for better and up to date info. I was always on Birdforum (British but a huge forum).
Anyway whichever way you go good luck !
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