Nature Photography Equipment Suggestions
Jan 5, 2018 19:07:34 #
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a pro. I have mainly Nikon equipment. Right now it’s a D750, the new 70-200mm 2.8 zoom and some other shorter range lenses. I enjoy nature photography. I went to Conowingo Dam in northern MD to shoot eagles. I got some good shots but a longer lens would help a lot. Once a year or so, I get to go to places like Costa Rica. There is not usually full daylight in the jungle, so I want a fast lens. I also do not want to carry a bazooka around.
I can’t seem to find any reviews on the 300mm Nikon lenses, old or new. There is the newer f/4 and the older f/2.8. Would either of these lenses hold up to a D850 or a D750?
A lot of people seem to use the new 200-500 f/5.6 Nikon lens, but I am concerned that it would not be fast enough. The VR does not help if the monkeys are moving. I am not sophisticated enough to judge whether using a high ISO with a slow lens would interfere with the sharpness.
Would a D500 with something else fit?
I appreciate your input!
I can’t seem to find any reviews on the 300mm Nikon lenses, old or new. There is the newer f/4 and the older f/2.8. Would either of these lenses hold up to a D850 or a D750?
A lot of people seem to use the new 200-500 f/5.6 Nikon lens, but I am concerned that it would not be fast enough. The VR does not help if the monkeys are moving. I am not sophisticated enough to judge whether using a high ISO with a slow lens would interfere with the sharpness.
Would a D500 with something else fit?
I appreciate your input!
Jan 5, 2018 19:18:47 #
Erns Eye wrote:
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a ... (show quote)
The D500 is no slouch with the 200 - 500. In that case I am speaking from experience. It should be very good with the D850 as you can use it full frame, or in DX mode. In DX mode it will give you the same field of view and similar resolution you would get with the D500.
You will find a lot of good information at Backcountry Gallery. Steve is a nature photographer, shoots Nikon, and is a member here.
https://backcountrygallery.com/
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Jan 5, 2018 19:25:18 #
Erns Eye wrote:
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a ... (show quote)
Maybe you're wishful thinking!
Any 2.8 of any length is heavy. Not a bazooka, more like a mortar!!
Canon makes the 400 DO. Small and light but not to fast.
Nikon has no such lens.
Maybe a slow 400 5.6
Even a 200 2.8 if you can get REALLY close. Good luck!!!
SS
Jan 5, 2018 19:29:53 #
Erns Eye wrote:
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a ... (show quote)
Yes, you will need a good crop frame camera - like the D500 - and with the 200-500 if you can carry it.. The Nikon 300 f4 diffractive optics lens and cropping ( with the D500) is another ( lighter/ faster f-stop) option.
The Sigma 120-300 2.8 is another option but heavier than the 200-500 !
Jan 5, 2018 21:00:11 #
The Nikon 300 f2.8 is a superb lens, but it is no lightweight. It is a very credible 600mm f4 lens when fitted with the TC2 teleconverter.
http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-300mm-f2-8g-vr-ii
http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-300mm-f2-8g-vr-ii
Jan 5, 2018 22:24:45 #
mcveed wrote:
The Nikon 300 f2.8 is a superb lens, but it is no lightweight. It is a very credible 600mm f4 lens when fitted with the TC2 teleconverter.
http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-300mm-f2-8g-vr-ii
http://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-300mm-f2-8g-vr-ii
Make that a 600 f5.6 ...
Jan 6, 2018 06:17:20 #
Erns Eye wrote:
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a ... (show quote)
I was considering a Nikon 200-500 but found it is not weather sealed.
Jan 6, 2018 09:00:53 #
miket22
Loc: Northern Massachusetts
I have the Nikon 300 mm F4 and I couldn't be happier with the way it works on my D7200. It's reasonable to carry and produces very sharp photos. I used it side by side against a rented Nikon 200-500 last year in Florida and felt the 300 was so much better that I didn't even bother with the 200-500 afterwards. The 300 was much sharper and just produced much more pleasing photos to my taste. I was shooting birds. My 2 cents.
Jan 6, 2018 09:01:47 #
Hey, thanks for your reply including the link to Backcountry Photography. I ordered his to photography books.
Jan 6, 2018 09:21:10 #
Erns Eye wrote:
Hey, thanks for your reply including the link to Backcountry Photography. I ordered his to photography books.
I hope Steve remembers my ten cent commission.
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Jan 6, 2018 09:26:46 #
tomad
Loc: North Carolina
Ditch the Nikon stuff and get a Sony RX10 IV... 600mm that is small and you can hand hold it! 
Jan 6, 2018 09:34:29 #
Jan 6, 2018 09:49:25 #
My DH has a Nikon 400 2.8. We call it “the Howitzer.” Needed to buy a sturdier tripod and a gimbel head. This is for advance plannng only!
Jan 6, 2018 10:07:50 #
I've used the Nikkor 300 f4 AFs a lot with a Nikon 1.4 TC. It focuses extremely fast & is tack sharp. But it has it's limitations on small subjects. I've never owned the 2.8 as it's out of my budget ability. My version does not have VR, (the newer VR version is hundreds of $ more), so I use a gimbal and that combo works well to my eye. If it's small birds you're after you need to get pretty close. If it's ones like herons or egrits you'll have better luck. I prefer the 1.4 TC as it's only one stop of light lost & sharper than anything stronger. I think you'd be pleased with either of the lenses you've asked about on either of the bodies you asked about. I would like to own the D500 also someday for such purposes. From what I've read & the images from them I've seen I think it would be great. Lots of choices, maybe too many. Good luck.
Jan 6, 2018 10:14:20 #
Erns Eye wrote:
I have been shooting for a long time but am not a ... (show quote)
My go-to combo for wildlife is D500 + 200-500 Up the ISO as needed I also use 70-200 for closer subjects
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