topgunwghs
Senior Member
My primary Uses.
1- Birding - Need=Sharp, Reach, Low Grain.
2- Landscape - Need=18mm equivalent, wide view, sharp, good with darkness and bright light behind mountains, etc...
Current Setup:
Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm AF-s VR DX for Landscape
55-300 AF-S VR DX for Birding.
Future Setup: (Unless I am Presented with better options)
Nikon D3200 + 18-300mm AF-S VR DX
History:
I have used many types of PaS models and loved them but wanted higher MP/Sensor Size/Print-ability/Options.
I then borrowed a Canon EOS (DISLIKE BUTTON LAYOUT AND CANON EVERYTHING) and quite a blast, left it on AUTO' mode and shot away with a Sigma x00-400mm and a 24mm lens. They were great shots but could have been better with f/stop,shutter,ISO settings. I love NIKON and decided to go DSLR entry with the D3100, I love it immensely, but still find myself disappointing shot after shot... I am still on a learning curve, but I would like to think of myself on the "Better" end of the learning spectrum. I shoot in JPEG Fine/L and in Manual mode, constantly playing with settings, but I am obsessed with shutter speed, due to the range and subject (BIRDS) that I want to shoot, therefore I need to CRANK the ISO and end up with a: Massively grainy/semi-sharp until I crop picture. Included photos are ranging from 8 to 100 feet away (Finch to Wigeon). Once I touch the crop I fall apart at what I see. I am not a huge fan of bringing more than 2 lenses with me on trip, I keep the longer birding lens on a hike for instant shots, then tripod and smaller lens for dramatic scenic views that I may stumble upon. I live in Estes Park, CO (Rocky Mountain National Park) constantly I found myself missing an amazing shot of a Mountain Lion or Bobcat or Birds, so now I practically EDC my camera with me.
Recent:
My better half purchased a Coolpix P510 and I am devastated with i see the quality, crispness, range and simplicity of the shots that she takes. I really don't want to take a step back and get another PaS but it's hard not to think about it now. I have done research and know that you cannot print past 4x6" bird photos with quality due to the sensor size, but when I see these pictures and crop/zoom on the image in PS, the grain is no worse than my usually already cropped 300mm to her 1000mm equivalent. Why doesn't every birder have one of these cameras, what are the true drawbacks? What setup can I have with at least half the reach and retain massive quality.
Current Need:
I am not ready nor have the funds for a full frame body. I am a full time student, volunteer at a wolf sanctuary and work here and there...
I want to shoot birds with a body that can handle high ISO in order to have a good shutter speed from 1 to 75yards.
I want to stay at 2 lenses or less that I can reach out and touch birds reliably and cleanly, then back down to take mountain vista shots.
I need to keep this budget under $1,500 and sta relatively user friendly. I don't use "in camera" editing software and barely shoot video.
I need to print beautiful quality Fuji images at 20x30" or greater.
Please help, before I waste more money!
1- Birding - Need=Sharp, Reach, Low Grain.
2- Landscape - Need=18mm equivalent, wide view, sharp, good with darkness and bright light behind mountains, etc...
Current Setup:
Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm AF-s VR DX for Landscape
55-300 AF-S VR DX for Birding.
Future Setup: (Unless I am Presented with better options)
Nikon D3200 + 18-300mm AF-S VR DX
History:
I have used many types of PaS models and loved them but wanted higher MP/Sensor Size/Print-ability/Options.
I then borrowed a Canon EOS (DISLIKE BUTTON LAYOUT AND CANON EVERYTHING) and quite a blast, left it on AUTO' mode and shot away with a Sigma x00-400mm and a 24mm lens. They were great shots but could have been better with f/stop,shutter,ISO settings. I love NIKON and decided to go DSLR entry with the D3100, I love it immensely, but still find myself disappointing shot after shot... I am still on a learning curve, but I would like to think of myself on the "Better" end of the learning spectrum. I shoot in JPEG Fine/L and in Manual mode, constantly playing with settings, but I am obsessed with shutter speed, due to the range and subject (BIRDS) that I want to shoot, therefore I need to CRANK the ISO and end up with a: Massively grainy/semi-sharp until I crop picture. Included photos are ranging from 8 to 100 feet away (Finch to Wigeon). Once I touch the crop I fall apart at what I see. I am not a huge fan of bringing more than 2 lenses with me on trip, I keep the longer birding lens on a hike for instant shots, then tripod and smaller lens for dramatic scenic views that I may stumble upon. I live in Estes Park, CO (Rocky Mountain National Park) constantly I found myself missing an amazing shot of a Mountain Lion or Bobcat or Birds, so now I practically EDC my camera with me.
Recent:
My better half purchased a Coolpix P510 and I am devastated with i see the quality, crispness, range and simplicity of the shots that she takes. I really don't want to take a step back and get another PaS but it's hard not to think about it now. I have done research and know that you cannot print past 4x6" bird photos with quality due to the sensor size, but when I see these pictures and crop/zoom on the image in PS, the grain is no worse than my usually already cropped 300mm to her 1000mm equivalent. Why doesn't every birder have one of these cameras, what are the true drawbacks? What setup can I have with at least half the reach and retain massive quality.
Current Need:
I am not ready nor have the funds for a full frame body. I am a full time student, volunteer at a wolf sanctuary and work here and there...
I want to shoot birds with a body that can handle high ISO in order to have a good shutter speed from 1 to 75yards.
I want to stay at 2 lenses or less that I can reach out and touch birds reliably and cleanly, then back down to take mountain vista shots.
I need to keep this budget under $1,500 and sta relatively user friendly. I don't use "in camera" editing software and barely shoot video.
I need to print beautiful quality Fuji images at 20x30" or greater.
Please help, before I waste more money!