Need a lens for birds in low light conditions

J

jeffo

Senior Member
Hi,

I use a D7000 and have two excellent lenses for birds when light conditions are fair to good, but would like a lens that enables me to shoot very early in morning or late afternoon when light is not so good.

My last purchase of AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED plus 1.4TC emptied photography budget so I am wondering if there are any low cost options in lenses that will enable me to overcome the low light issue.

I have been thinking maybe an 85mm f2.8 prime or small zoom lens might work enabling me to crop and still have a quality photograph, I really am floundering and probably asking for the impossible but any suggestions or advice warts and all would be most appreciated.

Neil
 
D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Remember that anytime you use a tele converter you are losing light. I don't know exactly with that setup how much light but I am sure someone will let us know. Is the 300 f/4 by itself still not enough light? Remember that the difference between F4 and F2.8 is not really that much. I reality it is less than a stop. that is the difference is shooting at 1/250 and 1/500
 
J

jeffo

Senior Member
Thanks for input Don.

Have always kept the TC on the 300mm lens due to no protection at back, maybe I am overly concerned about the risk of dust etc getting inside.

Will take another look and see if I can protect the rear end when not attached to the TC, and maybe it can ease my frustration with the early/late low light.

Neil
 
J

jeffo

Senior Member
Hi crycocyon,

Do pump up ISO up to 800 if needed but maybe if I remove the TC it may make a significant difference.

Love your 300mm f/2.8 lens, will check out used prices and see whether it within reach for me re money. Is it an easy lens to use hand held as that is what I prefer.

Neil
 
J

jeffo

Senior Member
Hi Don,

Will remove the TC and have a good look, maybe it did come with a cap but there is more to it. When checking it out on Mansurs website he makes particular mention of no protection for the back of the lens and for that reason he keeps his TC permanently attached.

I will look into it more thoroughly.

Neil
 
S

STM

Senior Member
If you want reach, then consider getting a 300mm f/2.8 AIS, it is manual focus but is an excellent bird lens and is razor sharp even wide open
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
You say you do up the iso but have you tried auto iso max 800,i can see no reason for keeping the converter on as opposed to a back cap,a 300 f4 shooting raw with auto iso should improve your working conditions.

mike
 
J

jeffo

Senior Member
Thanks mikew.

In answer to your question, yes. And I am going back the site where it warned of the risk with that particular lens more so than most others.
 
C

crycocyon

Senior Member
I use the Black Rapid RS Sport strap so that the D800 with 300 2.8 just hangs by my side. There's no issue with weight whatsoever in terms of using it for hours on end outdoors. And as long as you are just shooting intermittently (ie: not watching through the lens for a long time) hand-holding is not so bad. I find that the D800 with grip adds necessary balance so you might consider getting a grip for your camera otherwise it will be a bit front-heavy. It really is beautifully balanced then with the strap attached to the lens mount, not the camera mount. The weight I find actually helps to keep everything steady in hand. Yes the 300 2.8 AI-S performs really well wide-open. It is one of the legendary Nikon AI-S lenses and is built like a tank. Focus is really smooth and easy with one finger even. I'm a big guy so the lens isn't so heavy for me, but it is a big lens so there will be a "break-in" period for your arms for sure. You can always use it with a monopod as well, but I like the freedom of just carrying it at my waist. The one I got was nearly mint condition but there are ones with a bit of wear that still have great optics that would be I think very affordable (on Ebay).
 
J

jeffo

Senior Member
crycocyon said:
I use the Black Rapid RS Sport strap so that the D800 with 300 2.8 just hangs by my side. There's no issue with weight whatsoever in terms of using it for hours on end outdoors. And as long as you are just shooting intermittently (ie: not watching through the lens for a long time) hand-holding is not so bad. I find that the D800 with grip adds necessary balance so you might consider getting a grip for your camera otherwise it will be a bit front-heavy. It really is beautifully balanced then with the strap attached to the lens mount, not the camera mount. The weight I find actually helps to keep everything steady in hand. Yes the 300 2.8 AI-S performs really well wide-open. It is one of the legendary Nikon AI-S lenses and is built like a tank. Focus is really smooth and easy with one finger even. I'm a big guy so the lens isn't so heavy for me, but it is a big lens so there will be a "break-in" period for your arms for sure. You can always use it with a monopod as well, but I like the freedom of just carrying it at my waist. The one I got was nearly mint condition but there are ones with a bit of wear that still have great optics that would be I think very affordable (on Ebay).
Click to expand...

Thanks for giving me an excellent rundown on the lens, you missed nothing. I have already been searching for feedback on the net and checking what's available.

I am going to test the 300mm f/4 lens without the TC to see if it is acceptable for my low light problem. Also with your glowing endorsement I wonder if it would replace my 300 f/4, which I am attached to :)

Thanks again.
 
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