Dino92G Loc: Northeast Ohio

MPB has excellent D750's that are reasonably priced. Not always in stock, but often they are. I got mine there and was very pleased.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

"Best" and "entry-level" shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

The "best" Nikon full frame DSLR is the D850, which is a 45MP camera that sells for around $3000.

The "best" full frame Nikon telephoto zoom lens for wildlife photography is the AF-S 180-400mm f/4 1.4X FL VR. This lens has a built-in, matched teleconverter that can be engaged at the flip of a lever, to make for a 252-560mm f/5.6. This lens weighs about 8 lb. and costs around $12,000.

560mm on full frame is not really long enough for a lot of wildlife, so might also want a "best" Nikkor AF-S 800mm f/5.6 FL VR, which weighs about 10 lb. and sells for a little over $16,000.

Not very "entry-level" priced, eh? There are less expensive full frame DSLRs and full frame capable lenses, but I would say expect to spend at least $2500 to $3000.... and probably more.

For wildlife and affordability I would instead recommend a much less expensive and more practical, but still very capable APS-C "crop" sensor camera. The crop camera "leverages" telephoto lenses, making them act like they are longer. This a big advantage for sports and wildlife shooters, allowing them to use considerably smaller, lighter, less expensive lenses!

Look for a refurbished D7200, which is a 24MP APS-C camera. This model has been replaced by the D7500, but while the newer model has a faster frame rate, it is a bit lower resolution (21MP) and gave up some other features that were on the D7200. A refurb'd D7200 can be found for $694. The D7500 sells for $997 new or $699 refub'd. There are less expensive Nikon cameras... D3000-series and D-5000 series... however they have some limitations. They are unable to autofocus some Nikon lenses, for example. The most entry-level Nikon D3500 with two lenses (18-55mm and 70-300mm, where the latter doesn't have image stabilization though it would be very helpful) costs close to the same at the refurb'd D7200. A slightly more upgrade D5600 camera with only an 18-55mm lens can be had for under $500 right now.

Even so, I'd recommend the refurb'd D7200. The D7000-series cameras are more versatile, better built and have many more advanced features. They would be a better camera to "grow into" over time.

With D7200, he'd still need a telephoto lens. I'd recommend Tamron 100-400mm as a good option that sells for $799. On an APS-C camera, this lens will "act like" a 150-600mm would on full frame! But it's a lot smaller and more affordable than a 150-600mm or Nikon's 200-500mm. Sigma also makes a 100-400mm for the same price. I like the Tamron better because it can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (sold separately for around $129, but can add it later). There is no option to fit a tripod ring to the Sigma... and I would want one for such a long telephoto.

There also are 70-300mm lenses for less. Nikon's AF-P 70-300mm DX with VR sells for half the price of the above 100-400s (all of them have VR, VC or OS image stabilization, too). It's a fairly compact lens, but 300mm will come up a bit short for a lot of wildlife photography, even when using it on a crop camera (where it "acts like" 450mm would on full frame).

D7200 refurb'd doesn't appear to come with a shorter, general purpose walk-around lens... but there are a number of those to be had...Usually the least expensive zoom is 18-55mm. IN fact, B&H Photo has those refurb'd for all of $69 right now (reg. sells for $247 new).

BebuLamar

The OP never asked for the best!

Robert1 Loc: Davie, FL

This is correct. So far the OP has made only the original post. nowhere in that post the word " best" is mentioned. But for all purposes, his was a good post. For BIF the kid would be better served staying with the APS-C format. Unless, money is not an issue for a FF system, and that's what he really want.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

CO

I agree with getting the Tamron 100-400mm. I rented it recently. It's a great lens and sells for only $799. It's fully weather sealed, including a weather seal at the lens mount. I checked for back and front focusing tendencies. I noticed that it focused very accurately around the 100mm and 400mm ends but was off in the middle. If I purchased it, I would buy the Tamrom TAP-in console to fine tune focusing. Here's a shot I took with it at an air show.

Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 on Nikon D7500

(Download)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...I would buy the Tamrom TAP-in console to fine tune focusing..." same with the Sigma Dock... both third party vendors have meet this challenge head on... Albeit it's sad that you are then stuck with using the lens on only the body you programmed in changes on... Which is a major deal breaker for me... I shoot from multiple platforms, and use Nikon's fine tune in each one to optimize focus accuracy assurance... Different bodies will rock differing lens by varying amounts...

Owing to this I'm pumped about the D780 which I'll be able to afford as a refurb in a couple of years... It allows fine tuning zoom optics at both Minimum and Maximum focal lengths! Primes have never been a challenge, it's the zoom optics that require compromises...

Epic capture of that tail dragger CO.... hand held or gimbal?
Thanks for sharing...

CO

I did that hand held. The plane is a 1945 Piper Grasshopper. They were demonstrating air mail bag pickup. The rope behind the plane would snag the rope between the uprights on the ground. The mail bag is attached to that rope.

Nikocarol Loc: NM & FL

Nikon Z 5 outstanding Full Frame camera...YouTube has lots of reviews. Many who review this camera wish that they did not say "Entry level" because it is way more than that. It also uses F mount lenses with the use of FTZ adaptor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb3uXguren4 One of many reviews

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

With that lens, he is going to be shooting little specks on the sky.

Macumazahn Loc: Kansas

I too am slowly looking at FF I have the Nikon D300 now and have been looking at the D700 as it would use some the same accessories as the D300, what are your thoughts on the D700, I like its low light ability
Thanks, and it is in my budget
Terry

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

There isn't anything I remember not working on the D300 that didn't work on the D700. This includes them using the same grip. Sure dx lenses won't work as well as fx lenses, but they still can be used.

ItsJim