Which lens for zooming in on wild life for Nikon 3300 ? I am a newbie to dslr photography. I just bought a Nikon 3300 and it came with 2 lens . A Nikkor 18-55mm and a 55-200mm.It also...

rbrady1964

I am a newbie to dslr photography. I just bought a Nikon 3300 and it came with 2 lens . A Nikkor 18-55mm and a 55-200mm.It also came with a 2.5x telephoto and a 0.45x wide angle.I am learning as I go,but I love to take pictures of birds and I have a bird feeder about 50' from my porch and I can't seem to get a close-up like I want. Please help and let me know what I'm doing wrong ! Thanks ! 😊

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Two choices come to mind. You have to get closer or get a lens with more reach. 😊

MtnMan Loc: ID

50' is far for small birds.

Best lens is Nikon 200-500.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Welcome to the hog!
I use one of these and lots of different bird foods:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ameristep-doghouse-blind-60-in-x-60-in-x-66-in-1124055?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Ameristep-_-1124055&gclid=CKv-zpLEo84CFZSCaQod0qAPEA

Good luck and have fun!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

That's a very good entry level camera that has now been discontinued, and the 18-55mm and 55-200mm are the kit lenses. I am not familiar with those other two items that came with it. You don't have the internal motor in your camera. I don't know your budget, but a good telephoto lens with a focal length to 300mm would be OK, unless you want to shell out more money for a Nikon 200-500mm, or Sigma/Tamron/Tokina alternative. Check them all. A 1.4X Kenko TC could be an added choice. Get a tripod too. Good luck.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have a Nikon d7100 and one lens, a 18-300. I use it for my everything lens and have no problems with it. Some things that I do might help: always use a tripod when shooting a feeder from a distance, prefocus on the spot that they most frequently use, set your focus to 'spot focus' set the camera on burst, and use a remote release. I do these things and I am rewarded with good photos. I forgot one other thing: patience, you need a ton of it.

Your d3300 is up to the task that you have for it. Good luck

MtnMan Loc: ID

mas24 wrote:

That's a very good entry level camera that has now... (show quote)

You can order the black one now on Nikon web site and it says the red and grey are on backorder. That doesn't seem discontined to me.

Nikon usually doesn't stop a model till it's replacement is out for a few months. Haven't heard of a D3500 yet.

Many consider the D3300 Nikon's best value.

rbrady1964

MtnMan wrote:

50' is far for small birds.

Best lens is Nikon 200-500.

Thanks! I am learning which lens does what , but I didn't realize that there were so many.

rbrady1964

Mike D. wrote:

Two choices come to mind. You have to get closer or get a lens with more reach. 😊

Lol! I am learning the distance issue. I am used to a Nikon Coolpix L820 ,so I have to get used to not having instant zoom.

rbrady1964

BassmanBruce wrote:

Welcome to the hog!
I use one of these and lots of different bird foods:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ameristep-doghouse-blind-60-in-x-60-in-x-66-in-1124055?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Ameristep-_-1124055&gclid=CKv-zpLEo84CFZSCaQod0qAPEA

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks ! I sit on my porch with a tripod and hold very still ! I always have fun when I have a camera in my hand.

rbrady1964

tramsey wrote:

I have a Nikon d7100 and one lens, a 18-300. I us... (show quote)

Thank you ! I am learning as I go. It is different using the 3300 when I have been using a Coolpix P820 with zoom right at the ready.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

rbrady1964 wrote:

I am a newbie to dslr photography. I just bought a Nikon 3300 and it came with 2 lens . A Nikkor 18-55mm and a 55-200mm.It also came with a 2.5x telephoto and a 0.45x wide angle.I am learning as I go,but I love to take pictures of birds and I have a bird feeder about 50' from my porch and I can't seem to get a close-up like I want. Please help and let me know what I'm doing wrong ! Thanks ! 😊

I too have the 3300 and am using it to take photos of birds. My feeders are about 15-25 feet away from where I set up my camera. I have been using the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm and AF 28-105mm lenses. Not all that happy with sharpness of the 55-300 but have gotten some good shots with the 28-105. As been mentioned you need either a longer lens or have to move closer to the feeder. I use a good sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release. In addition, I shot RAW; manual mode; center weighted metering; and am willing to sit for long periods of time when needed. Keep trying and read the manual. In fact, I use the time waiting for the bird(s) to show up rereading the manual. Good luck, enjoy your time with the camera, and practice, practice, practice.

rbrady1964

charles brown wrote:

I too have the 3300 and am using it to take photos... (show quote)

Thank you ! I am transitioning from a Nikon Coolpix P820 so I am used to instant everything along with a long zoom. I have yet to shoot any pics in manual mode but I am reading a book I just got in the mail and it's helping me along with the manual. The book is Nikon D3300 for Dummies. Lol that is how I feel with this camera at the moment,but I know with practice and time I will be taking pictures like there's nothing to it.

MtnMan Loc: ID

rbrady1964 wrote:

Thank you ! I am transitioning from a Nikon Coolpix P820 so I am used to instant everything along with a long zoom. I have yet to shoot any that is how I feel with this camera at the moment,but I know with practice and time I will be taking pictures like there's nothing to it.

No need for Manual exposure. I usually use Aperture priority set to min f-stop for birds, and adjust the ISO to get a shutter speed of 1/500.

If you want to use M you can still use autoexposure by setting auto ISO. Also set min f-stop and 1/500 min shutter speed.

You might also consider setting spot or center weighted metering.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

MtnMan wrote:

You can order the black one now on Nikon web site and it says the red and grey are on backorder. That doesn't seem discontined to me.

Nikon usually doesn't stop a model till it's replacement is out for a few months. Haven't heard of a D3500 yet.

Many consider the D3300 Nikon's best value.

Discontinued doesn't mean out of stock.