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markyboy.1967

markyboy.1967

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Mark Molloy
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Im about to buy some more lenses for my D50.Im gettin rid of my 2 kit lenses and my Tamron AF70-300.I have decided to buy a Nikon 70-300 VR but i need a smaller lens( something quicker and sharp )and i was looking at a slightly longer lens as well--maybe the Sigma 120-400 but not sure as i will have the Nikon stated above.Im interested in wildlife/birds/nature etc.So what are your thoughts on a shorter lens and a longer lens.I could go aprox £900 between both ( not including the Nikon )
 
The 18-70 kit lens is a cracker for the price and should leave a fair amount for something longer. Maybe the new Sigma 150-500 VR?
 
Would i be better looking at the Sigma 120-400 ( saw decent reviews of this and it covers the range but just not that quick )and just 1 other lens. Something fast between 17 and 120 to cover that focal range.It makes things simpler only having 2 lenses to carry.If so which fast lens would suite the 17-120 range and be very sharp into the bargain.
 
You can pick up a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 second hand, or new from HK for around £500. It's quick, excellent IQ throughout the range of aperture/focal length, and a 1.4* TC would give you a 140-420mm f/5.6 lens. Add either a Sigma or Tamron 28-70mm f/2.8 lens, and you're sorted :)
 
I do a bit of wildlife photography and I use a Nikon 300mm f4, the quality is amazing. Periodically I put the 1.4x TC on with little loss in quality. Most wildlife will be at the extreme range of a zoom, so check out its quality at that range as a lot of them drop in quality....try Photozone for independent reviews. As for a short range zoom, the 18-70mm is brilliant, even from wide open.
 
Also, if you are doing bird photography, you will eventually do birds in flight - seagulls etc., Your lens must be able to focus quickly if you are to get any sharp images. Many of the superzooms don't. Type review name of lens on the Internet and read 'photonet' and some other forums for users opinions about various lenses.
 
Superb guys. Many Thanks.I have been going to a very local bird of prey centre ( 5 mins from my house ) and i am doing some potraits of the birds but i really want some birds in flight. Tried today at the flying display but never got good results.The good things is that i can go practice whenever i want with the camera to try different settings with the birds nice and close.But a nice quick lens should help me.


I was the only person there today for some reason even though its the largest bird of prey centr in Scotland but that helped as i got a special up close display of all the birds and a 1 to 1 with the guys to answer my questions.

While at the centre today a group of 3 common buzzards flew over ( wild birds ) and it reminded me of what i eventually want to get to.
 
Steve 7 said:
I do a bit of wildlife photography and I use a Nikon 300mm f4, the quality is amazing. Periodically I put the 1.4x TC on with little loss in quality. Most wildlife will be at the extreme range of a zoom, so check out its quality at that range as a lot of them drop in quality....try Photozone for independent reviews. As for a short range zoom, the 18-70mm is brilliant, even from wide open.
Click to expand...


Another vote here for the 300mm F4 with or without 1.4 TC. It is a cracking lens.

I also have the 18-70 which was the lens my camera sat waiting with until I got the 18-55 F2.8 recently.
 
Ok i have taken the advice and bought myself a Nikon AF 300 f4, should be with me at the start of next week.Was looking at the Sigma 100-300 f2.8 APO but changed my mind at the last minute.

Now i need to look for another lens or possibly 2. I like the reviews of the Sigma 28-70 but Tamron have a similar lens--which is the better of the 2.

If i go for a fast ( ish ) zoom type lens im considering the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO or the Nikon 70-300 VR( not fast but has the VR ). What the better lens remembering i dont use a tripod a great deal.

I will be getting a TC for the 300 f4, would the same TC fit the Sigma 70-200 if i got it, looking at a 1.4 or 1.7
 
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