Nikon D800 Lens Question: I presently own a D800 Nikon with a 28-300 Nikon lens that I LOVE and wouldn't trade for anything! My pictures were mainly candid people shots at events up to...

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

I presently own a D800 Nikon with a 28-300 Nikon lens that I LOVE and wouldn't trade for anything! My pictures were mainly candid people shots at events up to this point, but finding new opportunities opening up to me recently for posed portraits and wildlife.

I would appreciate the input of experienced Hedgehogs on a couple issues:

1. I find myself wanting to reach out further than 300 to catch wildlife...which lenses are your "favs" for use with the D800 and what are the pros/cons I should consider?

2. Do you feel the 28-300 is a adequate/good lens for portraiture?

3. If you had a D800 with a 28-300 lens what lens would you dream of adding next to your arsenal and why?

Have some fun and share your dreams...I've learned so much from you all by just reading thru your posts. THANK YOU!

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

Jayne - If you want a longer lens for wildlife, and one that matches the image quality capability of your camera, I suggest the Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED AF VR.

The Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO is also a favorite of many wildlife photographers, for around $950.00, but remember that the D800 will apply a correction profile (CA, distortion, vignetting) to JPEG files shot with a Nikon lens only, not third party lenses. You can, however, do these corrections yourself in editing software, which would be the case if you shoot RAW anyway.

For portraiture, I would recommend the Nikkor AF-S 85mm /1.8G. There is also a f1.4 version, but I don't think it's worth the extra cost.

Both of these lenses will fully realise the image quality of the D800.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Jayne wrote:

I presently own a D800 Nikon with a 28-300 Nikon l... (show quote)

Hello Jayne,
I use the D800 and the D800E, and the Nikon 28-300mm is my favorite lens, its never just sitting in my camera case as its always on one of my bodies. Its very sharp and while I do not do portraiture anymore, I think it would be a very good choice.
For wildlife I use, and suggest, the Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM lens. Its superb on the D800 sensors and focuses VERY fast and accurately. The Nikon 80-400mm is a good lens but getting old and its annoyingly slow to AF on the D800 body.
As for an addition? I might suggest a good macro as the D800's sensor is wonderful for good, close macro work.
Good luck, you have made a fine camera choice.

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

I have the Sigma 50-500 OS and use it with the D7000 & D800. Here's an image taken this past Sunday, the owl was in very dark shadows and you couldn't even see him unless you looked thru the lens, then he was very difficult to discern.

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

Here's a couple more taken with the Bigma & D800 this past week. Eagle was very far away (~500'), Osprey closer (~200'). The Owl was shot handheld, the Eagle and Osprey were on a monopod. The Eagle is not as sharp as I would have liked, probably due to my poor technique and the long distance.

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

Great Shots mawyatt, Thanks for sharing them. I am definitely leaning toward the Sigma 150-500 you and MT Shooter spoke highly of. I have used the Nikon 80-400 on my D90, but I was not happy with it - not sure if it is me or the equipment. I recently purchased a simple pyramid that is supposed to allow me to check on the lens focusing ability. I want to rule that out first. I did use a tripod when using the lens at full reach, but did not use a remote or timed release. If that's what is causing it a 500 would make that even worse. I know it's best to, but do you use a remote religiously when shooting your Sigma?

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

MT Shooter, I've included a portrait of my son taken over the Thanksgiving Holiday. No one escapes the house without being "used" anymore. They've come to accept it and seem to look forward to it especially in the case of hubby when I take a little off the neck, etc....tehehehe!!!! This was taken with the 28-300 lens.

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

I don't have a remote that works with the D800 yet. Plan on getting one soon, so all these were shot without remote on monopod, some handheld. The Eagle was very far away and I had to shot thru some obsticles just to get a shot. He is in a reverved area that limits ones ability to get close. I didn't even see him until someone pointed him out and I had to look thru the lens to verify he was an Eagle.

BTW nice portrait.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mawyatt wrote:

I don't have a remote that works with the D800 yet. Plan on getting one soon, so all these were shot without remote on monopod, some handheld. The Eagle was very far away and I had to shot thru some obsticles just to get a shot. He is in a reverved area that limits ones ability to get close. I didn't even see him until someone pointed him out and I had to look thru the lens to verify he was an Eagle.

BTW nice portrait.

I really miss the IR remote capability on the D800's that I had with my D7000's, I even still have a couple of those Nikon IR remotes just in case I ever find a use for them. But what I am using now are the I-Shoot brand wired remotes that are a copy of the Nikon MC-30 wired remote. They work VERY well but are limited to the 2 foot lenth of the cord on them. But at under $4.00 each, I bought 3!

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

Sounds like a "cheap" and good route to go....do you have a link to where I can purchase them?

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

MT Shooter wrote:

quote=mawyatt I don't have a remote that works wi... (show quote)

Yes I know what you mean, why did Nikon leave the IR off on the D800?? I have been looking at a couple options for the D800, one is an RF that is about $40, the other is probably similar to what you have..it was about $8 at B&H. where did you get the I-Shoot? I'll probably get both.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Jayne wrote:

Sounds like a "cheap" and good route to go....do you have a link to where I can purchase them?

Here is the ones I bought, they come from a USA seller and I had mine in 3 days. You can get the same units from Hong Kong sellers for $3 with free shipping, but it takes over a month to get them. The reason I bought 3 this time is that I had one that I bought alone previously, but I shut my Tundra case on the cord and cut it, so I got three the second time in case I do it again! LOL Hey, the price is right. They even have a shutter lock feature to use the BULB setting and take really long exposures.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Remote-Shutter-Release-for-Nikon-MC-30-D700-D300-D200-/120571802771?pt=Camera_Camcorder_Remotes&hash=item1c12a3b493

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

I just ordered 2 of them....where does that plug into?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Jayne wrote:

I just ordered 2 of them....where does that plug into?

They plug into the 10 pin port on the front of the body, under the D800 name. Remove the cover for access.

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

That was my "guess" .... from how it appeared on the pic. Thanks for the lead on this item, I'm looking forward to trying it out.