Specific purpose lens requirement.

canuck257

Senior Member
I want a lens specifically and only for use on my D500, mounted on a tripod, in a blind (hide), on my property for shooting birds. It needs to be a minimum of 300mm and as wide open as possible. I do not need VC, light weight or even auto focus but I do need "sharp". I'm thinking an older model that, preferably, will take a 1.4 TC will be ideal.

Given these strict criteria, what lenses would you guys and gals suggest?
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Here is a link to a chart of lenses that Nikon says are compatible with the TC14E converter. It will give a a starting point of sorts for part of your request.
CHART
 

canuck257

Senior Member
Money is not (within reasonable limits) an issue. I'm looking for an older used lens and I'm not in a hurry. This is in preparation for next Spring.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Money is not (within reasonable limits) an issue. I'm looking for an older used lens and I'm not in a hurry. This is in preparation for next Spring.
I would say maybe a 300 f/4 or f/2.8
@STM has a few older prime telephotos that he swears by, but I believe that they are manual focus lenses. Hopefully he's around and will chime in.
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
Here's an oldie that would give you some awesome reach. About half the price of the current model

[h=1]Nikkor AF-S ED IF 500mm F/4 D AF-S IF ED[/h]
 

pendennis

Senior Member
I have a D500, and I've used my Nikkor 300mm f4 ED (non-IF) with a Kenko 1.4x T/C with good results. The auto focus doesn't roam, and I end up with a 420mm f5.6, not the fastest combination, but it works. I've also used the 1.4x with a Tokina 400mm f5.6, and it works all right.

As an alternative, I would consider the Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6. Yes, it's roughly $1400, but it's extremely versatile. Your D500 with the 1.5x crop factor ends up as a 750mm f5.6 at the long end. At f8 you also have over 1125mm in effective focal length.

Just another option to consider.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
What do i know i dont even use Nikon now :D but my suggestion would be the 200-500 with a 1.4 for the situation you talk about,you then have a second use for the lens as a walk around lens,also you have the latest optics and coatings.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
what do i know i dont even use nikon now :d
Steven-Taylor-red-card-1.jpg
;):d
 

captain birdseye

Senior Member
yes, the 200-500vr is a great close/medium distance birding lens as are the 300f4 ed if and sigma 150-600 c.
I have owned and used all of them and have stuck on the 200-500vr.
Its the heaviest of the three but imo the best performer unless you want to try your hand at butterflys and dragonflys as well as birds in which case the 300f4 and tc 14 ii really comes in to its own.
 
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