dyximan

My questions are about lenses and cameras and lenses with fast focusing and tracking for bird/wildlife Photography. I owned a Nikon D 5300 which was stolen and I'm looking to purchase a new camera that is faster at both focusing and tracking then the D5300. Which I know was not a super fast camera. I recently rented a Fuji X T2 and tried shooting birds in all three focus modes and single shot, continuous low 5 fps and continuous high 8 fps. And my initial shot was based on the falcon and or hawk in a stationary position atop a telephone pole etc. But found once the bird moved and I took a burst of some 20 photos or so few if any other than the initial shot perhaps we are in focus. I was using a Fuji 100 to 400 lens 5.6 app plus or minus. And all were shot in the auto mode. And the exposure was either neutral, or plus or minus a 1/3 or 2/3. My question is this does anyone have any actual experience with cameras that would fit the bill and not just the specs and data produced by the manufacture and or subsequent reviews. I am willing to spend 5 to $6000 for such a set up. And would also like to increase the Focal length weather crop or full frame to in excess of 600. Mirrorless/DSlR or hybrid. I want to thank all of you in advance for your responses,opinions, and advice, I rented the Fuji X T2 and I am considering renting the Sony A9 the Nikon 850 and The Cannon 70 and or 80 DS

dyximan

I should add I rented the Fuji and am looking into renting the Sony A 9 the Nikon 850 and the canon 70 and/80AD. As although I am interested in the technical specifications and or reviews by others how it feels fits and works in my hand is imperative. Although I'm sure I can adapt to anything I will admit I found the Nikon to be counterintuitive to me and the Fuji quite simple. And Although the XT2 was nice I found the body to be a bit small. Would need to add at least a battery grip. as I have a large hands ring finger size 13. But I am willing to consider all as I can modify anything.

CO

If you want to stay with the DX format, the D500 would be an excellent choice. Right now, the D5, D500, and D850 have the best autofocus system. I have a D500. I've been very impressed with its autofocus capabilities.

Did you have the Fuji in continuous servo mode? With Nikons you would use AF-C mode for tracking.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

The Nikon d500 with the 200-500 is reviewed very favorably for wildlife and birds in flight.

dyximan

Yes, I tried it in both continuous low and high, and thank you for your response

dyximan

Thank you will have to into the D500

JPL

The best choice for you would be the Nikon d7500 and D500 if you want dx camera and the new d850 for a full frame camera. For all of those cameras you could use the nikon 200-500 lens and an 1.4 teleconverter to get all the way to 700 mm reach. This soulution would also fit within your budget. And if I were you I would jump on the d850 as it is the best full frame camera available today for general use. You can use it for anything you want and it will do it all well. It has the high resolution for landscapes and studio work, it has the high fps and fast and accurate autofocus for sports and wildlife, the weather sealing for outdoor work, excellent low light capabilities, eye tracking focus for weddings and events and kids. It is just a stunning camera in every way.

CO

The continuous low and high is separate from single servo and continuous servo. I can shoot my camera at continuous low or high frame rate in both single servo (AF-S) and continuous servo (AF-C) autofocus.

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

I shoot D800 (not amazing for focus tracking but serviceable), a D810 (which has very good AF and tracking), and have shot the D500 and a D5 both of which have great AF performance. The D850, D810, D500 and D5 all have group autofocus mode which is like magic.

My focus acquisition results are noticeably better with my 600mm F4 than with my Sigma Sport, but the Sport is more than adequate unless I am shooting low light, like just after dawn or just before sunset, where I would opt to use the faster lens in any case.

I have also shot with the 300 F2.8 and the 400 F2.8 and those lenses both focus faster than I can think, so if you want blazingly fast acquisition and good tracking, you have a few choices.

After seeing my results with a D800, D810 and comparing it to a D500, it's really no contest when it comes to image quality - the full frame cameras are clearly better in this regard.

You can see some of my work here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

dyximan

Thank you for your help, as I had just left the camera store and although they like the A9 they think the D850 might be a better choice for my needs, As it has more megapixels then the A9 and the ability to be used as a crop sensor for the focal length I may want from time to time. It's no D5 but I'm not ready to spend that kind of money right now.

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

You're welcome!

Since I crop nearly all of my bird shots, I often shoot 1.2 crop with my D800 or my D810 - slightly faster frame rate, and no real loss of pixels. I still crop the 1.2 crop shots anyway.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you're also considering Canon, rather than a 70 or 80D, consider a 5D4 (FF) or 7D2 (crop).

dyximan

Thank you for your response as I have many options to consider

cthahn

The new Sony's with the Zeiss lenses are extremely fast.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Dyxi, used cameras are getting cheaper every day!
I recently purchased a used Canon 1Dxmkl for $1750 with 185K on the clock. That was a bargain for a full bore Pro Body.
If that camera can't keep up, its cause you can't move fast enough!! LoL
Probably similar one generation old Nikon's going for the same.
Personally I'd stay away from the orphans like Fuji, Sony, Pentax etc! You never know, you might get serious at this!!! Good luck.
SS