Need guidance on buying compact telephoto lens for birding / wildlife

gustafson

Senior Member
I'm super-new to the world of bird/wildlife photography, and my current setup (thanks to brilliant advice from @salukfan111) consists of a 200 f/4 Nikkor-Q on a modified TC-16a mounted on a D7100 (That works out to 320mm@f/6.4 not considering the 1.5 APS-C crop factor, which if applicable, would put it at 480mm@f/6.4). I tested this on a beach for the first time this weekend, got some nice pics, and think I'm hooked. Now it could be simply NAS, but I'm craving a lens for more reach and hopefully better IQ. I know it won't be the 300 f/4.5 non-ED, because I tried that lens some time ago and found it simply too big and heavy to be practical for me (40oz, vs. 18.5oz for the 200 f/4 Q) as I prefer shooting handheld as opposed to using a tripod. Would appreciate if y'all could weigh in on what I think are my options under $300:

a) Ignore NAS and suck it up - Current setup can't be beat for weight and IQ under $300.
b) Man up and get a longer, heavier prime (Is the 300 4.5 ED-IF (480mm@f/7.2 with modif TC-16a) the best option for the money? Or are there better options under $300 and 50oz)
c) Get a zoom that's acceptably sharp at the long end. (Is the 70-300VR the best option here? Although I've read its soft at 300mm)
d) Other options? (Suggestions welcome. Thanks!)
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
One thing to think about to keep things light is to drop sensor size even more and go for a bridge camera,P610 or P900,these are of little use for flight shots though.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
One thing to think about to keep things light is to drop sensor size even more and go for a bridge camera,P610 or P900,these are of little use for flight shots though.

Great tip - hadn't even heard of bridge cameras before! How is the IQ on these cameras vs. DSLRs, and why aren't they useful for flight shots? No AF-C?


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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Here are two i took with the P900 but not used it much yet.

23497773302_17d6547250_o.jpg


23860359821_5e86acfa0c_o.jpg
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
I'm super-new to the world of bird/wildlife photography, and my current setup (thanks to brilliant advice from @salukfan111) consists of a 200 f/4 Nikkor-Q on a modified TC-16a mounted on a D7100 (That works out to 320mm@f/6.3 not considering the 1.5 APS-C crop factor, which if applicable, would put it at 480mm@f/6.3). I tested this on a beach for the first time this weekend, got some nice pics, and think I'm hooked. Now it could be simply NAS, but I'm craving a lens for more reach and hopefully better IQ. I know it won't be the 300 f/4.5 non-ED, because I tried that lens some time ago and found it simply too big and heavy to be practical for me (40oz, vs. 18.5oz for the 200 f/4 Q) as I prefer shooting handheld as opposed to using a tripod. Would appreciate if y'all could weigh in on what I think are my options under $300:

a) Ignore NAS and suck it up - Current setup can't be beat for weight and IQ under $300.
b) Man up and get a longer, heavier prime (Is the 300 4.5 ED-IF (720mm@f/7.15 with modif TC-16a) the best option for the money? Or are there better options under $300 and 50oz)
c) Get a zoom that's acceptably sharp at the long end. (Is the 70-300VR the best option here? Although I've read its soft at 300mm)
d) Other options? (Suggestions welcome. Thanks!)
A 300mm edif f/4.5 is not that heavy. I know women that shoot all afternoon handheld with the tamzooka. This lens is pretty slick and works well with the tc16a and/or an extension tube for macro. You can carry the tc16a in case of emergency.

I also have the 70-300 vrg and it is quite nice. The problem is this needs to be on your camera at all time OR don't carry it with you at all. It is very fast AF and is really really sharp up to 200mm and really good to 250mm. If you've got a screw drive camera, then a 180 f/2.8 is really hard to beat as an option for the 70-300mm vrg for birding. An AI version would work great with the tc16a (I use my AF set on manual with it occasionally works nice).

I've been shooting lately with a 600mm f/5.6 and tc16a and can shoot handheld but prefer to use a tripod. The 400mm f/5.6 works well with the tc16a but it is way too expensive (300mm edif f/4.5 is around 150 ebay and 400mm edif f/5.6 is pushing 400 bucks).
 
The 70-300 is a nice lens and I used it on my d7100 all the time with great results. I still use it on my D750 and love it.

BUT

Suck it up and buy either the Tamron 150-600 or the Nikon 200-500. Yes they are heavy but If Blacktop and I can walk around for 5 hours shooting hand held then you can too.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
A 300mm edif f/4.5 is not that heavy. I know women that shoot all afternoon handheld with the tamzooka. This lens is pretty slick and works well with the tc16a and/or an extension tube for macro. You can carry the tc16a in case of emergency.

I also have the 70-300 vrg and it is quite nice. The problem is this needs to be on your camera at all time OR don't carry it with you at all. It is very fast AF and is really really sharp up to 200mm and really good to 250mm. If you've got a screw drive camera, then a 180 f/2.8 is really hard to beat as an option for the 70-300mm vrg for birding. An AI version would work great with the tc16a (I use my AF set on manual with it occasionally works nice).

I've been shooting lately with a 600mm f/5.6 and tc16a and can shoot handheld but prefer to use a tripod. The 400mm f/5.6 works well with the tc16a but it is way too expensive (300mm edif f/4.5 is around 150 ebay and 400mm edif f/5.6 is pushing 400 bucks).

Thanks for the insights, @salukfan111! I did recently get an 180 f/2.8 P AI'd and have been using it with the modified TC-16a. Good to know that it's superior to the 70-300 VR G. Guess I'll stick with my current rig until I win the lottery on a 300 f/4.5 ed if or 400 f/5.6 ed if.

On a separate note, do you find that your D7100 tends to overexpose as you stop down with manual lenses on the TC-16a in A mode?
 

gustafson

Senior Member

salukfan111

Senior Member
Thanks for the insights, @salukfan111! I did recently get an 180 f/2.8 P AI'd and have been using it with the modified TC-16a. Good to know that it's superior to the 70-300 VR G. Guess I'll stick with my current rig until I win the lottery on a 300 f/4.5 ed if or 400 f/5.6 ed if.

On a separate note, do you find that your D7100 tends to overexpose as you stop down with manual lenses on the TC-16a in A mode?
The 70-300 vrg is very convenient for birding. Find a friend and borrow one. I know a guy that only uses this lens and is very happy. He's not so happy when the birds are 400 yards out but that is made up for when he pulls over quickly and gets the great shot out the window of his car.
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
Thanks for the insights, @salukfan111! I did recently get an 180 f/2.8 P AI'd and have been using it with the modified TC-16a. Good to know that it's superior to the 70-300 VR G. Guess I'll stick with my current rig until I win the lottery on a 300 f/4.5 ed if or 400 f/5.6 ed if.

On a separate note, do you find that your D7100 tends to overexpose as you stop down with manual lenses on the TC-16a in A mode?
For that tc you need to shoot with back button focus AND manual exposure mode (auto iso) for the best results. I get pretty random results under differing conditions and haven't really noticed. I've been trying lately to over expose a tad to reduce noise (just back off exposure in processing).

The 300 edif f/4.5 is very cheap if you're patient on ebay (400mm f5.6 too expensive). Someone you know probably has one.

this guy is great
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzqQskGoURE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFLxYMLsv8I
 

gustafson

Senior Member
Great input, @salukfan111. I've been watching 300 ed-if's on the bay and looks like the word is out because it's hard getting one under $300 anymore. I did miss out on a beater 400 Ed-if that went for $160 or so. Wish I'd bid more aggressively


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salukfan111

Senior Member
Great input, @salukfan111. I've been watching 300 ed-if's on the bay and looks like the word is out because it's hard getting one under $300 anymore. I did miss out on a beater 400 Ed-if that went for $160 or so. Wish I'd bid more aggressively
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Do you already have the non EDIF 300mm f/4.5? I have one or two of these and have 3 edifs. Unfortunatley the best of the edifs is missing the tripod collar and none of my other collars fit? I am currently using the worst of the EDIFs (outer lens with marks old Reuters camera) until I find get the collar squared away on the good one. I'm looking to off load some lens and could get you one my 300s on the cheap. Send me a PM and we can work something out.
 

gustafson

Senior Member
Do you already have the non EDIF 300mm f/4.5? I have one or two of these and have 3 edifs. Unfortunatley the best of the edifs is missing the tripod collar and none of my other collars fit? I am currently using the worst of the EDIFs (outer lens with marks old Reuters camera) until I find get the collar squared away on the good one. I'm looking to off load some lens and could get you one my 300s on the cheap. Send me a PM and we can work something out.

Just sent you a PM, thanks!
 
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