Cairngorms in January/what lenses?

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Ian
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Im off up to the Cairngorms in Jan for 3 days and would like your opinion on what lenses you would take.
I have the Nikon 12-24mm f4,70-200mm f4 and the 300mm f4 and 1.4tc.
I think these should be fine my only concern is whether the 300mm would be long enough and should I maybe look at getting 1.7tc.
Other than that I could maybe hire a longer lens.
I shall be hopefully photographing Red squirrel,crested tits,mountain hare and if im really lucky capercallie and ptarmigan.

Ian
 
Ok here are my thoughts. Red Squirrels and crested tits can allow you to get close depending on where you go however the cresties are small so the longer the lens the better- your 300 and 1.4tc might just be enough. For mountain hare and Ptarmigan then your 300 and tc will be fine but you need to perfect your stalking technique. Capers are a different matter and unless you are privy to some info then your unlikely to see one outside the caper watch site. There is the odd one but unless you have good friends in the know then nobody will tell you where he is.if you do get the info then I like to use the 70-200 as I like to keep my distance and not put the bird in any stress, however sometimes your 12-24 would be better. Lol.
 
Thanks Mark.Do you think having a 1.7tc as well as the 1.4 might be an idea then just in case.Also what about the 80-400mm as a one lens option,less weight to carry and works well apparently with the D7100.
 
If it's the newer 80-400 then I believe it's so much better than the older version. Most of the subjects you mentioned are slow moving except the cresties but low light might be an issue with slower lenses.I wouldn't bother with the 1.7 if you already have the 1.4. Finding some your subjects will be your biggest problem but once found then some careful fieldcraft will see you within distance.
 
In my experience, you can only get close to the ptarmigan if they let you(this will depend greatly on the bird) or you have very good stalking. I've tried in a few locations with a 100-400 and found is short and had to crop(0n a 1.6 crop camera). If you can get to a 500mm then you're in with a chance of some good photo's.

Red Squirrels can be used to people in the Aviemore area, especially @ feeding station and will let yo get very close. Crestie's are extremely fast and small so the longer the lens the better. They do follow a similar route around their territory so once they land in one spot they should return to it. If you can get them at a feeding station you can get fairly close to them.
 
Probably your main problem will be how to keep warm!

Re: cresties - They won't have a territory in January - that's a breeding season thing. If they're not at bird feeders they will probably be roaming around the pinewoods with other small birds.

You might want to have a quick look at this........http://wp.me/p2BFlt-iU
 
If you can come up slowly on Ptarmigan it helps- don't decend on them or the mountain hares as it spooks them.Lone Ptarmigan or ones in smaller groups are easier as larger groups it just takes 1 bird to get spooked and they all go. Glen she is a good place to go for them.
 
Thanks for all your comments much appreciated.Im actually on a workshop with Marcus Conway of Ebirder so hopefully he will know the best places to visit.Have any of you heard of Marcus or been on any of his workshops?
 
Marcus knows his stuff and you're in good hands there.
 
Thanks Mark and Gerald im really looking forward to it.
 
I'm from Aviemore, born and bred. If your stuck for places to go then don't hesitate to get in touch(y)

Not much to add from the above, some very good advice there. If you're staying around the Aviemore and ski resort area then everything you want to shoot is in that one area. You have the Ptarmigan and mountain hares up on the ski resort itself and the red squirrels at the bottom. There is a small cafe on the ski road that can allow you to get within meters of them and a nice site to see/shoot whilst you have a brew. Also plenty others around for a more natural surrounding. Capercallies can normally be found around the woods at Badaguish which is just about half way between Aviemore and the ski resort. Not often seen but you might get lucky. I have seen a few out on the bike. Loads of hidden bike trails if you're into that as well.

You should have a good trip if you can get out enough. All those places to shoot what you want all within a 10mile radius.

Hope you have a good one(y)

Edit: didn't read your comments about your workshop. Your in good hands there and within a good chance of seeing some nice stuff.
 
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Cheers Paul,do you think a 300mm with 1.4tc will be long enough for most things on the trip?
 
Thanks Lyle, you have some great pics especially the red squirrels.I wish Nikon made a 400mm prime.
 
Sorry I know they do make a 400mm but something cheaper than the 2.8 would be nice.
 
Nice combo.Im using the D7100 so not full frame yet,i was thinking about getting the 300mm 2.8 apparently works great with all tcs.
 
Marcus is sound and will have all the sites sorted I'm sure. I'd say 300mm f2.8 if you can borrow/hire one with a 1.4TC and a 1.7TC/20 MkIII TC for options - I owned a 300mm with a 2.0 MKIII TC for a while and I honestly couldn't see the difference between that and a 500mm f4 - plus it was much lighter to carry. You might need ice climbing gear too in January :)
 
How much better is the 300mm 2.8 compared to the 300mm f4,there is a huge difference in the price?
 
I reckon you can buy a good used f2.8 VR1 on here or elsewhere for around £2500 and a non VR one for around £1850 - I had both non VR then upgraded and the VR was nice to have but still a cracking lens either way. Used 300mm f4 around £650 I think. I've used lenses for hire twice now and been very pleased with their service too. When I sold both my f2.8 300mm I had them serviced by Nikon first just to be satisfied they were as I thought and when [not if!] I buy another one I'll be asking for it to be checked/serviced too - gives seller and buyer peace of mind. Shame Marcus uses the wrong cameras or you could borrow some of his lenses ;)
 
Yes i know he shoots Canon.I might be tempted to hire one first just to see how i manage with the extra weight.
 
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