Best lens (Nikon) for bird photo: I have a Nikon D7000 and $1,000 what would be the best bird photo lens? I was thinking about the new 300mm f4 lens but I am open to other suggestions.

GS645

I have a Nikon D7000 and $1,000 what would be the best bird photo lens? I was thinking about the new 300mm f4 lens but I am open to other suggestions.

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

If you are talking about this lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, the list price is $1999.95 on the Nikon website.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

GS645 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7000 and $1,000 what would be the best bird photo lens? I was thinking about the new 300mm f4 lens but I am open to other suggestions.

On a budget of $1000 to get the most bang for your buck then the choices are basically two, and neither one a Nikon.
Tamron 150-600 mm
Sigma 150-600 mm Contemporary

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

For a bit less than that...maybe consider the sig 150-500.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

GS645 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7000 and $1,000 what would be the best bird photo lens? I was thinking about the new 300mm f4 lens but I am open to other suggestions.

With your budget you have ONE real choice in a lens from Nikon. The AF80-400mm is available used for well under $1000 and is a great lens.Not as fast focusing as the new AF-S version but still a great choice for the money. Compact and fairly light weight too.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

MT Shooter wrote:

With your budget you have ONE real choice in a lens from Nikon. The AF80-400mm is available used for well under $1000 and is a great lens.Not as fast focusing as the new AF-S version but still a great choice for the money. Compact and fairly light weight too.

I think it is a good choice as well.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

robertjerl wrote:

On a budget of $1000 to get the most bang for your buck then the choices are basically two, and neither one a Nikon.
Tamron 150-600 mm
Sigma 150-600 mm Contemporary

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Both 150-600 options will be sharper than an 80-400 AF-D, probably comparable to the new 80-400 VR (but they will cost half as much), and the Sigma 150-500 or the Tamron 200-500 are not in the same league. I am not a fan of the older cheaper Nikon 80-400 for bird photography - it focuses too slow, and isn't crisp at 400mm.

One other alternative - a 300mm F4 with a 1.4TC. I've successfully gotten decent pictures with that combo.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

robertjerl wrote:

On a budget of $1000 to get the most bang for your buck then the choices are basically two, and neither one a Nikon.
Tamron 150-600 mm
Sigma 150-600 mm Contemporary

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Both 150-600 options will be sharper than an 80-400 AF-D, probably comparable to the new 80-400 VR (but they will cost half as much), and the Sigma 150-500 or the Tamron 200-500 are not in the same league. I am not a fan of the older cheaper Nikon 80-400 for bird photography - it focuses too slow, and isn't crisp at 400mm.

One other alternative - a 300mm F4 with a 1.4TC. I've successfully gotten decent pictures with that combo.

robirdman

I found the original Nikon 80-400mm rather slow in autofocusing, but got the middle shot in the top row of these Swift images with it on a D70 camera, and is still one of my favorites. They have reportedly improved that lens.
http://theearlybirder.com/swifts/chimney/index.htm

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I bought the Tamron 150-600 back in March and use it on a D7000. Here is a link to many photos I've taken with it. It meets your budget nicely.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37991479@N08/sets/72157650944053099

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

I have the Tamron 150-600, shoot it on my D7100, and absolutely love it. Many times, I have taken awesome photos shooting handheld....here is one of my latest photos.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

GS645 wrote:

I have a Nikon D7000 and $1,000 what would be the best bird photo lens? I was thinking about the new 300mm f4 lens but I am open to other suggestions.

I been using the nikon 70-300 mm on my D90 since the camera came out .
I know it's a little short , but I have many pic that fill the frame .and to read Thom Hogan's report on that lens and he is the Garu of nikon equipment . He says it's one of the best bargain lenses nikon has and should cost twice as much as it does as far as optics goes it's just as good as one costing $1500
But it's made cheap per . But mine is still going strong as when it was new ,
And you can pick them up now for $300 something or $400 . I payed $500 And it has VR . It will get you started any way . And you can sell it for just about what you payed when your ready to spring for the bigma or the sport .

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Bram boy wrote:

I been using the nikon 70-300 mm on my D90 since t... (show quote)

I have this lens too and have had great results with it.

Rowls1 Loc: Florida

I have the Sig 150-500 and love it, great lens for the price.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

MT Shooter wrote:

With your budget you have ONE real choice in a lens from Nikon. The AF80-400mm is available used for well under $1000 and is a great lens.Not as fast focusing as the new AF-S version but still a great choice for the money. Compact and fairly light weight too.

Many found the AF80-400 as too slow to autofocus, does not have image stabilization and not as sharp as the newer lens from Tamron or Sigma that are getting very good reviews. The AF80-400, is 15 years old but will still render good images none the less it is affordable and mechanically well made.