First bird lens

D700graham · 8 Jun 2014

Hi all, where I work there are lots of trees, bushes, shrubs etc, and a lot of birds visit, blue tits, chaffinch, little wrens, etc. I have never done any type of wildlife before as I am a complete novice. I have started a bit of street stuff but that is all. I have a Nikon D300. I was wondering about a first lens for this type of shooting. The greenery is pretty close, closest about 8-10 mtrs where these birds visit. I don't want to be spending xxx pounds in case its not what I envisaged. I have looked at the Tamron 70-300 VC USD and its got really good reviews, any one got any thoughts or first hand experience with this lens?.
Thank you.

StewartR · 8 Jun 2014

Birds are smaller than you think, and you'll need a longer lens than you think. Get the longest lens you can afford, because even then it won't be nearly long enough.

For example, here's a photo of a chaffinch from Wikipedia:

To take a photo like this from a range of 8m you'd need a 1200mm lens, approximately.

minnnt · 8 Jun 2014

The Tamron is a great lens for the money, often use it for birds and other wildlife with my D7000.

c22w1 · 8 Jun 2014

View attachment 13440
I took this shot with the Tamron you mention and also on the D7000. Its a great lens for the money, even more so second hand.

andyred · 8 Jun 2014

Pop over to the Birds photo section on here and see what lenses are used.

I would have thought they's be 300mm would be a minimum...

robbino · 8 Jun 2014

The Tamron lens you mention is a great telephoto lens for the price and comes with a 5 year warranty.

bighud · 8 Jun 2014

You can use the Tamron 70-300VC USD and then crop the image and get very good images from a Nikon D300. Alternatively, use a 1.4x extender. However, you may need to use manual focus.

D700graham · 8 Jun 2014

Thanks for all your replies, I am going to get the tamron 70-300.

HoppyUK · 8 Jun 2014

d300graham said:
Thanks for all your replies, I am going to get the tamron 70-300.

Great lens for the money

but bear in mind Stewart's post - you'll need to get closer than your present 8-10m.

artyman · 8 Jun 2014

As already said get as long a lens as you can afford, best bang for buck is the Sigma 150-500

StewartR · 9 Jun 2014

c22w1 said:
View attachment 13440
I took this shot with the Tamron you mention and also on the D7000. Its a great lens for the money, even more so second hand.

It would be really useful to see the uncropped image, and to know how far away the bird was.

c22w1 · 9 Jun 2014

StewartR said:
It would be really useful to see the uncropped image, and to know how far away the bird was.

It was only slightly cropped and about 3 meters away. With only a 300mm lens, some cropping is inevitable but I just wanted to show that it is possible to use this lens for wildlife.

D700graham · 9 Jun 2014

I think I was ott with the distance, when I think about it. Not as far away as I said. Probably nearer the 5/6 mtr range.

BillN_33 · 9 Jun 2014

depends what your budget is

if you wish to develop further seriously buy a used Nikon AF-S 300mm f4 ……. then add a TC-14Ell when you can afford it

D700graham · 11 Jun 2014

ok, I have been offered a sigma 120-400 f4.5-5.6 with OS for a very good price from what I have researched, any thoughts on this ??