gary8803

Thank you everyone who posted to my Costa Rica Post. I went the less expensive route I decided to get a Dslr not a mirrorless camera.

I got the Nikon D500 and the Nikon 200-500mm 5.6 lens

I made this choice because I like the feel of the DSLR better then the Mirrorless I have big hands. I read a lot of good reviews about the D500 for wildlife paired with the 200-500 lens plus I have experienced how well the Nikon D3 worked for me a few years ago.

Yes a Sony A1 would have been nice or a Canon R5 but the cost was not worth it for me after I started to think what my purpose was fun photography. Out of my $10000.00 budget I still have $7500.00 left to buy other thing I may want.

So thanks again for the advice that you all presented.
Gary

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Congratulations on your new gear. Enjoy it in good health.

tramsey Loc: Texas

You purchased exceptionally high quality gear - You are going to have lots of satisfying fun

Dan' de Bourgogne

Well done Gary! Congrat's for this decision (D500+200/500) I would have chose also this combo. Now,You're facing the funny partof the game: take a lot of great pictures and share some of them. Enjoy!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Good choice. Enjoy you outings with your new gear.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I have used that combo since they were first released and very pleased with thousands of pics! The biggest challenge is to learn the capabilities of that camera!

CO

Great camera! I have two D500's. Here's a tip. The movie record button can be re-programmed to execute mode. Mode is in the group of four buttons on the top left of the camera but it's much more convenient to have it next to the shutter button. You can switch between program mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode much faster.

I got the Nikon DK-19 eyecup for mine. You have to use the threaded core from the current eyepiece. It takes time to get all three pieces assembled just right. Make sure to close the eyepiece shutter on the camera to keep dust out of the pentaprism area when removing the old one and installing the new one.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Congratulations, I would say you need maybe two more lenses and a flash at maximum, a backpack type camera bag is less convenient to get to stuff but a lot easier to carry instead of a shoulder bag swinging, catching on things etc.*
1. a wide angle to 100 or 200 to have full coverage.
2. a fast lens for dark interiors, a wide or ultra wide to "normal" would work
3. a small to medium size/power flash for low light, interiors etc.

If one of those lenses focuses really close you will also have flowers, insects etc. covered for close ups or "faked macro" shots.

And you can do panoramas to add landscape/environment shots to the birds and wildlife you will be doing. I have some panos of a mountain range on the horizon with 12-20 shots in each that I did with a 400mm lenses. I also put on a 24 mm wide angle and did a few shots but preferred the panos even though a lot more work - the panos show more detail.

*You might consider a mesh photographer's vest (for the climate) with large pockets and anchor points for lens and gear. But a lot of people don't like wearing those. They don't bother me as they are a lot more comfortable and less awkward than the gear I carried in Vietnam. Lighter also. And a wide brim floppy hat for the tropical sun - maybe with a roll down mosquito net for the face.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Great choice. Have the 200-500 and use it on A DX camera. Suggest two relatively inexpensive, small, light additions to your kit. TC 1.4 II or III. A DX 35mm or other fast, compact "normal" lens. Another option, the Nikon DX Macro. Any one or all are likely to come in handy. You have good fun ahead!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Congrats on your new camera. I purchased my D500, my second Nikon body, just about 5 years ago right after they hit the streets in the summer of 2016. My 1st Nikon was my D7200 which I had purchased about 1 year earlier. I bought the Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6E lens soon after I got my D7200 and although it is an FX lens it works quite well on Nikon DX bodies. The 200-500 now spends a lot of time on my D850. The 2 lenses I use most often on my D500 are my Nikkor 16-80 f/2.8-4E, it's "kit" lens, and my Sigma 150-600 C with matching Sigma 2X teleconverter.
The D500, probably the best "sports" DX body Nikon ever produced, and the 200-500 f/5.6E lens are an excellent combination and an excellent choice. Enjoy your new gear...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Managing the size and weight of the 200-500 will be your greatest challenge IMO. The reason I recommend a crop frame is to be able to use smaller/lighter lenses .......
.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I think you will be much happier with the 200-500 than you would have been with the 300 f2.8. Be sure to post some of your photos from CR when you get a chance.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Congrats, looking forward to your pictures of Costa Rica!

ELNikkor

Better choice than the 300 2.8. Good on 'ya, and look forward to seeing results of your trip!

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Congratulations on the new kit that you purchased, can't wait to see some of your photographs. As a side note, curious about the other thing you would like to buy with the balance of your budget?