Archive 2020 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

ShorePine
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

After a 5 years hiatus from DSLR photography, it is time to upgrade. My wife has a D610 with 70-300/5.6 VR. I have a Canon 40D (not usable, probably dead battery) with Canon 400/F5.6. The budget is ~ $1500. I am considering the following:
1) Use D610 and buy Nikkor 200-500F.56
2) Use Canon 400F5.6 and buy Canon 90D

300mm on FF is definitely too short, I can never get too close to my subjects. I also have Canon 70-200F4, but never use it. The Nikkor would likely be employed towards the long end. D610 has a nice viewfinder, but is getting old and it is old technology.

Any help with the decision is appreciated!

Nov 09, 2020 at 12:51 PM

Nikon1960
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

Alternatively, you can sell everything and purchase a used D500 and used 200-500mm lens. I was about to put a 200-500mm on the market for about the $900 range, and a used D500 is about another $900 or so. So, well within budget if you sell the Canon 400.

Nov 09, 2020 at 02:52 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

I agree with Nikon1960. Used D500 and used 200-500 and you will be set with some of the best DSLR AF there is. Plus a versatile lens that is plenty good for IQ especially if stopped down to f/7.1.

If I was to only choose between the two options you presented then I'd opt for the 400/5.6 on the 90D.

Nov 09, 2020 at 04:55 PM

morris
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

For BIF I agree with the above recommendations. I feel you are leaving things out.
- Why dose your wife have a camera?
- Will you or your wife want to photograph other things?
- What is both of your full lens and accessary collection?

Why not build rather than start over?

I do recommend that the two of you move to a single brand so that you can share lenses and accessories. If you both do casual photography other than BIF, then making use of existing lenses and/or adding a wide range zoom such as an 18-200 as well as an used 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 for portraits might be all you need.

Morris

Nov 10, 2020 at 08:25 AM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/54

Nov 10, 2020 at 10:39 AM

ShorePine
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Birds and BIF - upgrade camera or upgrade lens?

Morris,
my wife and I used to travel a lot before mortgage and baby. We both enjoyed photography and needed the same focal lengths at the same time. So we were fine buying a separate rig for her. We went to a local shop and left with a D610 & 16-35F4 combo. It was love at first sight. That lens had just come on the market.

My wife used D610 & 16-35F4 and I used Canon 40D & 18-55F2.8IS for 99% of our shots. We do have a 50F1.8 Nikkor. The 70-300VR was bought preowned. Neither has been getting much action.

We do not like to carry bricks around anymore for general travel. We'll keep the D610 & 16-35 lens, hopefully we can visit a few old towns in Europe at some point in the future.

I will look into selling some gear. It seems like D500 & 200-500 is a real winner for my current needs (wants).

Thanks everybody!

Nov 10, 2020 at 11:22 AM


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