Opinions on lens choice and upgrade direction: I am an amateur who has gotten the "bug" to take BoS (Bird on a Stick) photos and am planing a trip to Costa Rica in a few months for 7...

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Opinions on lens choice and upgrade direction

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Nov 11, 2015 23:16:12 #

BossBurt

I am an amateur who has gotten the "bug" to take BoS (Bird on a Stick) photos and am planing a trip to Costa Rica in a few months for 7 days of exclusive birding. I currently have a Nikon D5100 and use a Nikon 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 and a Sigma 18-250 which is my walk-about lens. Recent experience in Ecuador with this set-up makes me want a longer reach lens for my photography. I'm retired and on a limited budget. I think my choice is one of these 3 -(1) Nikon 200-500 f5.6 ED AF-sVR (2) Sigma 150-600 mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM (Contemporary) or the (3) Tamron 150-600 f5.6-6.3 Di VC. If anyone would like to provide their expert opinions to help me decide, I'd appreciate it. I also am considering upgrading to a Nikon 7200 and/or going the teleconverter route and keeping what I have. I have a good eye and get great results with what I have but have missed some shots. Thanks in advance for your help and opinions. I appreciate it.

Nov 11, 2015 23:46:41 #

twowindsbear

Rent before ya buy, or just take a rental on you trip.

Safe journeys!

Nov 12, 2015 00:14:48 #

JD750 Loc: SoCal

twowindsbear wrote:

Rent before ya buy, or just take a rental on you trip.

Safe journeys!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Nov 12, 2015 00:27:09 #

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Just make sure whatever you take, that it has a multiplier available for it and take one! No lens is long enough for birds!! ;-)
SS

Nov 12, 2015 01:38:37 #

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

BossBurt wrote:

I am an amateur who has gotten the "bug"... (show quote)

Nov 12, 2015 02:13:03 #

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

BossBurt wrote:

I am an amateur who has gotten the "bug"... (show quote)

I would sell the 55-300 and the 18-250 . And do any thing you have to , to
Get the 200-500. mm nikon . And replace your walk around with the nikon
18-105mm it's selling used for around $250 . It's a cheap kit lens but the
Optics are very good .or just get a 50mm nikon or 36mm nikor.for walking around around $150 , for the time being anyway . The Nik 7200 is a good idea also

Nov 12, 2015 03:40:10 #

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

SharpShooter wrote:

Just make sure whatever you take, that it has a multiplier available for it and take one! No lens is long enough for birds!! ;-)
SS

I agree. There is no lens long enough and fast enough for birding. Its just the nature of the game.

Nov 12, 2015 04:52:56 #

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

twowindsbear wrote:

Rent before ya buy, or just take a rental on you trip.

Safe journeys!

A very good idea.
:thumbup:

Nov 12, 2015 06:20:01 #

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Ever think of one of the super zooms available? With 50x and 60x bridge cameras, they are a heck of a lot easier to lug around.

Nov 12, 2015 06:40:31 #

australis Loc: Patagonia, South America

If you live in USA, Take advantage of the opportunity of which they can be rented one prime lens .-

But if you want to buy a not very costly lens the Tamron 150-600 it does a magnificent work

Nov 12, 2015 07:28:48 #

BossBurt

Thanks everyone! I was considering renting, but by the time I've rented one of these for 10 days, I almost could have bought one! I love my old Sigma and am leaning toward that one, but the Nikon seems to be the best choice especially with a teleconverter. I'll welcome more opinions as I ponder through my decision.

Nov 12, 2015 07:34:38 #

BossBurt

I've got a superzoom which I used for along time and also was considering upgrading that one. I am concerned with the slowness and not being able to take high speed shots. I may do that anyway!

Nov 12, 2015 07:38:07 #

BossBurt

djtravels wrote:

Ever think of one of the super zooms available? With 50x and 60x bridge cameras, they are a heck of a lot easier to lug around.

I've got a superzoom which I used for along time and also was considering upgrading that one. I am concerned with the slowness and not being able to take high speed shots. I may do that anyway! I have an Olympus - 26X but is real slow writing to the card and eats batteries.

Nov 12, 2015 07:58:44 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I rely on reviews and comparisons done by professional reviewers, rather than the opinion of someone who owns the gear. You may want to consider the D5500, since it has a tilting LCD.

Cameras -
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/compare/

Lenses -
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare

Nov 12, 2015 09:18:15 #

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

[quote=jerryc41]I rely on reviews and comparisons done by professional reviewers, rather than the opinion of someone who owns the gear. You may want to consider the D5500, since it has a tilting LCD.

Totally agree. Do your research. That being said, key attributes are AF and AF in low light. The minimum aperture is also important an very important in low light. Construction is also right up there. Weather sealing is important in wet climates. Look at distortion, chromatic aberration, lens coatings. Lens coatings increase contrast and saturation as they reduce flares and are not to be discounted. These decisions are not easy especially among the consumer graded equipment.

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