Quick question: I want to start doing more birding photography. The longest lens I currently own is the 300 f/4 AF-S. Obviously a lot of times I find myself wanting more reach. Is there any reasonably priced way to get 400mm? I don't have the budget for the 400 f/2.8 unfortunately. And I'm a few dollars short from the new 800 f/5.6
Anywho, back on track. Besides adding a TC to the 300 I already have, are there any good quality 400+ primes, from 3rd party manufactures I might have over looked, that won't break the bank? I'd really like to not go over $1500-$2000 as birding is a rare hobby I have.
Well, if your just a FEW dollars short of the 800 5.6 how about a 500 or 600 VR?
My only experience is with the 300 f4 AFS and can understand your desire for more reach. A 1.4TC will be the cheapest way to 400mm+ and will give decent results.
Another possible option, one that I have looked at extensively, is a used 500 f4 AI-P. Sure it is manual focus but is chipped for full metering and can occasionally be found for $2k or less. This lens wouldn't be as easy to use if your shooting BIF though.
What body are you currently using? Perhaps getting a high MP DX body (D7000 or the new D5200) to put more pixels on the bird would help.
plubbry wrote:
Well, if your just a FEW dollars short of the 800 5.6 how about a 500 or 600 VR?
My only experience is with the 300 f4 AFS and can understand your desire for more reach. A 1.4TC will be the cheapest way to 400mm+ and will give decent results.
Another possible option, one that I have looked at extensively, is a used 500 f4 AI-P. Sure it is manual focus but is chipped for full metering and can occasionally be found for $2k or less. This lens wouldn't be as easy to use if your shooting BIF though.
What body are you currently using? Perhaps getting a high MP DX body (D7000 or the new D5200) to put more pixels on the bird would help....Show more →
Ah forgot to mention, my main body is a D800. I'm really looking for perched birds, but birds in flight would be fun to shoot as well.
Zebrabot wrote:
If you don't need AF, the 400mm f/5.6 AIS is awesome. It plays nicely with old teleconverters too.
Agreed, but also I would add that if you are willing to spend up to US$ 2,000.00, with luck you can get decent conditions 500mm f/4 P ais EDIF or 600mm f/5.6 ais EDIF. For birding we always need more reach
The Campo Flicker unusually perched in an exotic pine tree.
D300 + Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 AI-S EDIF + TC14EII = 840mm f/8, @ f/8, ISO 800, 1/100s , tripod. The bird was at 30m, ~30% crop.
Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher.
D2x + Nikkor 500mm f/4 P AI-S + TC-16A first field tests.
AF is possible with D2 series cameras without any mod of the TC.
Consider this is a 60% crop of original image.
The 500mm f/4 P is an excellent lens. Manual focus only, which has some limiting of its utility (BIF are pretty tough with a manual focus lens), but it's sharp, not too heavy for a 500mm, and takes a teleconverter well.
asiostygius wrote:
Agreed, but also I would add that if you are willing to spend up to US$ 2,000.00, with luck you can get decent conditions 500mm f/4 P ais EDIF or 600mm f/5.6 ais EDIF. For birding we always need more reach
Some samples:
Burrowing Owl
Nikkor AI-S 600mm f/5.6 EDIF, support was a beanbag on the car window sill
D300 1/100s f/8 ISO 200 at ~8m
The Campo Flicker unusually perched in an exotic pine tree.
D300 + Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 AI-S EDIF + TC14EII = 840mm f/8, @ f/8, ISO 800, 1/100s , tripod. The bird was at 30m, ~30% crop.
Vermilion-crowned Flycatcher.
D2x + Nikkor 500mm f/4 P AI-S + TC-16A first field tests.
AF is possible with D2 series cameras without any mod of the TC.
Consider this is a 60% crop of original image....Show more →
Lovely photos. It looks like I'll be on the hunt for a 500/600 this month then. Thanks
r_k_t wrote:
You could look at a Nikon 1 body and the FT-1 adapter with the 300 f4.
I have had reasonable success with a 70-300 VR.
While I have no personal experience with the Nikon 1, I don't believe it'll meet my needs or image quality wants. I'd like to just with my D800 and investing in more glass.
Nikon 1 series is clearly underestimated by a lot of photographers, but it's just an amazing camera, very very nice sensor (with good iso performance), compact package and super fast focus. The ones that did try the 1 series for birding are astonisched by it's capabilities (btw nikon 1 sensor would make a 70+ mp fullframe body), 2.7 crop is very nice to have and you can crop down even more.
You could also consider two excellent lenses in the Sigma 500/4.5 or Sigma 120-300/2.8. You can add a x1.4 TC to the former and both x1.4 or/and 2.0 TC to the latter. In all cases the lenses are superb with these TCs.
Prices are ca. US$2,000 - 3,000 for a nice used copy 500 and ca. $2,000 new for the current OS version of the very versatile 120-300. Both are very very sharp with decent AF (slightly faster on the 120-300).
Lots of good advice above. I bought a 500vr as the longest lens that i could reasonably hand hold for extended periods of time. Fantastic lens, takes my 1.7tc pretty well. It's just really expensive, but all the long Nikon glass is.
playerofwar wrote:
Nikon 1 series is clearly underestimated by a lot of photographers, but it's just an amazing camera, very very nice sensor (with good iso performance), compact package and super fast focus. The ones that did try the 1 series for birding are astonisched by it's capabilities (btw nikon 1 sensor would make a 70+ mp fullframe body), 2.7 crop is very nice to have and you can crop down even more.
I'm sure in the right hands it can take great photos. I just don't want it and have no need for it
Frogfish wrote:
You could also consider two excellent lenses in the Sigma 500/4.5 or Sigma 120-300/2.8. You can add a x1.4 TC to the former and both x1.4 or/and 2.0 TC to the latter. In all cases the lenses are superb with these TCs.
Prices are ca. US$2,000 - 3,000 for a nice used copy 500 and ca. $2,000 new for the current OS version of the very versatile 120-300. Both are very very sharp with decent AF (slightly faster on the 120-300).
Hmm, didn't even know sigma made a 500. Will definitely give that some thought as I love the 35/85 from them. The 120-300 crossed my mind, but then I decided I already own a 70-200 and a 300, so I'd rather stick with a nice long prime.
cohenfive wrote:
Lots of good advice above. I bought a 500vr as the longest lens that i could reasonably hand hold for extended periods of time. Fantastic lens, takes my 1.7tc pretty well. It's just really expensive, but all the long Nikon glass is.
Maybe someday I can splurge for the Nikon 500, but its just way out of budget for my usage. Birding is a rare hobby I have. So even $2000 is kind of pushing it for how little use the lens will be getting.
BenV wrote:
Quick question: I want to start doing more birding photography. The longest lens I currently own is the 300 f/4 AF-S. Obviously a lot of times I find myself wanting more reach. Is there any reasonably priced way to get 400mm? I don't have the budget for the 400 f/2.8 unfortunately. And I'm a few dollars short from the new 800 f/5.6
Anywho, back on track. Besides adding a TC to the 300 I already have, are there any good quality 400+ primes, from 3rd party manufactures I might have over looked, that won't break the bank? I'd really like to not go over $1500-$2000 as birding is a rare hobby I have....Show more →
Just get a TC for your 300/4. It's 420mm and works wonderful. Or get a Canon body cheap and the awesome 400/5.6L
davidnholtjr wrote:
Just get a TC for your 300/4. It's 420mm and works wonderful. Or get a Canon body cheap and the awesome 400/5.6L
Those are your best bet.
Some from the 300/4+1.4xTC
maybe I can hold my breath and Nikon will come out with a 400 f/5.6 in the next month or two
at the end of the week I plan on purchasing the 1.4 or 1.7tc, just haven't decided which yet
BenV wrote:
maybe I can hold my breath and Nikon will come out with a 400 f/5.6 in the next month or two
at the end of the week I plan on purchasing the 1.4 or 1.7tc, just haven't decided which yet
Yeah, I'd love if Nikon put out a nice 400/5.6. I miss my Canon one.
The 1.7xTC works well the the 300/4 also and if your using the D800, AF will be no problem since it does up to f/8.
