buglinbilly Loc: Murray, Utah

I am at the point where I need to purchase a new camera and a good array of lenses.

I do exclusively wildlife photography. And my strong suit, if I have one, is not in knowing a lot about photography or cameras or equipment, its in now, understanding and being able to get closer than most to wildlife.

I have been using Olympus cameras for the last 10 years. I have their best glass and it mighty good glass and renders great shots in good light. But they quit making DSLR bodies and although I have their most recent, its old and worn out. And it sucks in low light. And I miss so much on both ends of the day.

So do I go with Nikon or Canon? And if so which one and why, and what glass. I want the best glass I can buy and the best body for shooting wildlife in all conditions.

I know this is going to set me back a big chunk of change, but it will be the last major camera set up I will ever purchase, so I want to get it right.

I loved my Olympus E-5 and wished they would have continued on the DSLR trail like Nikon and Canon did. But they didn't and I have to face that fact. So this time I want to get it right and hope to hear what you guys and gals think would be the best camera and best lenses for me for my kind of wildlife.

I thank each and everyone of you who reply for your help and insight.

Best shooting to all of you.

Here are a couple photos I took this last fall with my Olympus E-5 so you can see what I do.

Thanks again. BB

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Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Wildlife *action* then I suggest a Canon 7D MK II which is specifically designed for action photos.
Lenses according to need and available funds (or credit).

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

buy canon

jmcgloth Loc: Ocean Park, WA

Okay, I'm going to suggest Nikon:

Nikon D810
Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Why not use those glorious Zuiko lenses on the EM1 with HLD 7 and mmf3 adaptor.

A new EM1 can be bought for $1000 off of ebay with a us warranty...if you don't like it, It can surely be sold for the $800-900 range. Or you can rent one, but it does take a bit of getting used to, and I don't think a week truly justifies what this camera can do.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

The D610 is no slouch either. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Can't beat SigZilla!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Are you using the big tuna (300 2.8)?

http://www.mu-43.com/showthread.php?t=63366

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

It doesn't make a difference which platform you buy - but I would stick with either Canon or Nikon - both have an amazing array of great pro lenses and the bodies are outstanding. Choose your lenses carefully. You already know what it takes, now you just need to step your gear up. Full frame pro is the way to go, and you can get good bodies for less than $3000 that will provide an excellent basis for some good lenses.

What is your budget?

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Hello BBC

My suggestion is go with Canon the new 7D Mkll is solid, a crop camera and the Canon 5D Mklll is a full frame camera both will do what you want it to do the Mklll is more costly but worth the money oh heck both are worth the price. Look if you go this way look at all the fun you'll have buying new lenses from Canon or third party manufacturer's and like you said this will be the last time for a GREAT camera and company.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I suggest that rather than take advice from people with no experience in both, rent them yourself and see what works for you.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I strongly suggest that you directly contact UHH member MT Shooter (Carter Bouslaugh), an expert in wildlife photography and equipment. He will unbiasedly answer your questions concerning Canon or Nikon, as well as long zooms & heavy duty tripods. His prices ain't bad either!

http://www.cameracottage.com
http://billingsgazette.com/business/pro-photographer-opens-his-own-camera-shop-in-shepherd/article_74c54dd1-e839-58de-ad11-e64c7adbaf3f.html

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Carter, you are being a spoiled-sport! "Advice with no experience" flows freely here 24/7. And telling someone to experience something for themselves brings rebuke from the "tell me what to do" types. You are putting a definite crimp on the fun! 8-) 8-)

buglinbilly Loc: Murray, Utah

I don't want any of you to think I am not looking in and reading what everyone has written, cause I am. We have relatives in town and just getting ready to go to dinner but I check in on my phone and will post some replies when things slow down.

For those that talked about the Zukio lens and Olympus equipment I can just say that I do have one of their little mirror less cameras with the adapter, but just not satisfied with the end result. And yes I do the prime 300 lens. In fact I have most of Zukio's prime lenses and they are the best glass I have ever seen with my limited experience. But with no up to date body, it has put me in that position.

And for quite a few years, here on UHH I have talked to Mt. Shooter.

Gotta run. Thanks to all for all the advise and opinions.

BB

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BB, if the Oly glass is as top shelf as you say, SELL it and get the Canon 7dmkll(as has been suggested!) and the 100-400ll and a 1.4x.
For an inexpensive camera, it has all pro features.

OR, you can waste ALL your MONEY renting gear until you've proven to youself that the Canon 7ll is what you should have gotten in the first place! :lol: :lol:
SS

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The issue with selling the 4/3 glass, is that he likely won't get as much for it as he hopes to. I took a huge hit in 2013 when I sold off all of mine 4/3 stuff. I was an early adaptor to the EM1, before all the firmware updates had come out. I made the choice then to sell my E-5 while it still had value (got $800 for it then, and it was in great condition). At the time, my legacy 4/3 glass worked ok with the em1, but the native m4/3 stuff worked so much better, so I ditched to ditch my 135-400, 50-200 swd, 50 macro, 7-14, 12-60, and 1.4 tele. I somewhat regret selling the 50-200 and 7-14, as those now work much better with latest firmware. Oh well.

If you do have the 300 2.8 you'll be lucky to get 3k for it, and that's assuming mint condition. That said, since oly is coming out with a m4/3 f4 version this year, suggest selling it ASAP while it has value, or putting it to great use on an EM1.

If I were in your shoes and wanted to switch, and money wasn't an option, either Canon or Nikon would be the direction I would head in. If money is truly not an option grab an EC14 (if you don't already have one) an EM1 and keep the 300 2.8, and use that as backup along side your new Canon or Nikon.

Do you have a budget in mind, and what gear are you looking to sell? That plays a big role on whether or not you go FF or APS-C or m4/3 (EM1 as the only option there).