Wanting to start wildlife Photography. Which Lens?

MoshdogTim

MoshdogTim

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Tim
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Hello everyone.

I've recently taken an interest in wildlife photography.

I currently have a Nikon D600 and a 80-200mm f2.8 AFS lens, but looking for something with abit more reach.

Has anyone got any advice? I was thinking of the Nikon 300mm f4 AFS for a start?

cheers

Tim
 
I'd have a look at the new Tamron that's due to come out soon, 300mm is not that long.
 
Have a look at the Sigma 120-300 f2.8, I use this with a 1.4 and also 2X TC's on my Canon 7D. A lot depends on the size of the wildlife, birds needing all the focal length you can get, Elephants aren't so much of a problem :D
 
silure130 said:
I'd have a look at the new Tamron that's due to come out soon, 300mm is not that long.
Click to expand...

Yeah i've seen that but im wanting a prime telephone.

artyman said:
Have a look at the Sigma 120-300 f2.8, I use this with a 1.4 and also 2X TC's on my Canon 7D. A lot depends on the size of the wildlife, birds needing all the focal length you can get, Elephants aren't so much of a problem :D
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I'm only looking to spend up to £800 on a lens. This is out of my budget sadly

cheers
 
for wildlife on FX I'd want at LEAST 400mm but that's really a starting point. I think you'd best to start with something like the sigma 150-500mm 0S or wait a month to see what tamron's new 150-600 is like.
 
I'd want something like 500-600mm for the image above. Without 400mm it is not even close, even in a hide. They are expensive, and I can't afford them either (but I could hire once or twice a year).
 
the best combo to go with that camera at your budget would be the 300 f4 as you state and couple it with a 1.7tc this will give you 500mm reach in crop mode ,a super lightweight hand holdable combo ,with a impressive super close focus that couples as a very good close up/pseudo macro set up at the flick of a switch ,check out my flickr stream for lots with that combo..
the only thing i will say is the higher mp nikons tend to show up any faults in technique etc so you might need a monopod or tripod


BLUE by blackfox wildlife and nature imaging, on Flickr

heres one taken with that combo
 
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Another vote for the Sigma 150-500mm here.

Took mine to Marwell on Sunday...

 
In your budget range then have a look at the Sigma 150-500, which is what I had previously, it's a cracking good lens, and is also pretty good with a TC, albeit with manual focus with the TC attached. Here's an example with the 1.4 attached, the bird was about 1/4 mile away.

Img_0166c.jpg


and a 500mm shot at ISO 3200

Img_1986.jpg
 
depending on what and where you take then 200 could be long enough, 400 would be better and then it would be nice to have a 600. to be realistic then 400 is a good length
 
The question is "what kind of wildlife do you want to photograph" . Wildlife can range from photographing ants to some of the examples above.
Having a 400mm lens to photograph leaf cutting ants for example is totally the wrong lens.


 
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Oh heck, it's an expensive path to set off down! £800, second hand 300f4 and a tc, the sigma 150-500 is a great lens but mine was far better at 400 than 500mm!
 
MoshdogTim said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. Im gonna try out the sigma 150-500 and nikon 300 f4 before i buy.
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I have used the sigma along side the Nikon 300mm f/4 in the past when I borrowed the sigma from a friend and the sigma is not a patch on the 300mm f/4 quality of images the sigma is pretty unusable after 400mm in my experience, Better to use the 300mm f/4 with 1.4x or 1.7x converter if you need the extra reach, this is my opinion after using both
 
Joeturner11 said:
I have used the sigma along side the Nikon 300mm f/4 in the past when I borrowed the sigma from a friend and the sigma is not a patch on the 300mm f/4 quality of images the sigma is pretty unusable after 400mm in my experience, Better to use the 300mm f/4 with 1.4x or 1.7x converter if you need the extra reach, this is my opinion after using both
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So is my snow leopard unuseable at 500mm then Joe?
 
Joeturner11 said:
I have used the sigma along side the Nikon 300mm f/4 in the past when I borrowed the sigma from a friend and the sigma is not a patch on the 300mm f/4 quality of images the sigma is pretty unusable after 400mm in my experience, Better to use the 300mm f/4 with 1.4x or 1.7x converter if you need the extra reach, this is my opinion after using both
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cheers Joe. Reading on the net and the 300 + TC combo has some great reviews. And the photos on your flickr back this up! Now to find somewhere to try the lens out!
 
The Sigma does something the 300 F4 can`t though....zoom.

Some people prefer that option.
 
MoshdogTim said:
cheers Joe. Reading on the net and the 300 + TC combo has some great reviews. And the photos on your flickr back this up! Now to find somewhere to try the lens out!
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Maybe try the local LCE if they have them in stock? It's a great lens for birds in flight also, which I found the sigma to struggle on abit...That's only my opinion, Iam sure Tigger.ufo will disagree with me ;)
 
No need to be patronising Joe, everybody is allowed an opinion mate.
 
Ha ha ha ha handbags:D:D:D:D
 
Nikkor 300mm f4 £1,029 plus Nikkor 1.4 or 1.7 TC £309 each. Total £1,338 which is £538 over budget.

Sigma 150-500mm £699

All from WEX.

No problem with a bit of banter Joe, more than happy with my Sigma!
 
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Just had a look at the specs on the tamron and at 68.8 oz (1,951 g) that's one hell of a weight to carry around chasing wildlife :eek:
 
You might not Phil, but I would :(
Plus if you were out in the field you'd be carrying other stuff as well
 
The 300 f4 + 1.4x TC is a nice combo. Giving 420mm, @ f/5.6. I plan to make much more use of mine over the coming months as the seasons change. Hopefully I'll get some nice wildlife shots along the way, nothing intense, just want to try out some more outdoor/nature photography this year.

One from last Aug - taken through the kitchen window, using that very combination. f/8, ISO 500, 1/500 sec.

 
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