TLConner Loc: Haslett, Michigan

My wife and I are going to northern Scotland for 12 days. A major purpose of the trip is to get pictures of birds, especially sea birds like Puffins and Gannets. Currently I have a Nikon D7000 and a AF-S Nikkor 70-300 mm 4.5-5.6 lens. My tripod is a Manfrotto 190X PRO4 with a 128RC head (tilt and pan). It is likely that we will be on boats in open water for some of the time. I have had good luck so far with bird pics on land and can hand hold the lens there. But I am concerned with showing up in Scotland with inadequate equipment and missing my chance at probably once in a lifetime pictures. What do the rest of you think? I would like to avoid spending more than $2000 but that depends on what limitations that imposes.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Others will have better advice, but I'm sure you'll need all that zoom...if not jump on one of those cool 150-600's everyone's enjoying! But you might wanna think about a wide angle lens too. I'd imagine that the entire countryside and coast would be gorgeous...don't wanna miss that do ya? Have fun and look forward to awesome photos!

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I would go for one of those 18-55 Nikor lens to compliment the big glass you already have. Also, maybe a telextender in the 1.4 class. Should keep you way under budget with enough left over for some of that great single malt scotch that they are so famous for..

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I strongly suggest that you consider a different head for your tripod. "Tilt and pan" are adequate for landscape, but not for birds with a long lens. Consider a Nest gimble head. Read more here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-210197-1.html then talk to MT Shooter. http://www.cameracottage.com

cday Loc: North Carolina

I'm jealous!!! Was there in June 2014...Edinburgh and some Highlands...not too far into them due to an accident that blocked the road...any place is a good place to go

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I don't shoot birds, but all I took with me to Scotland last summer was the 18-55 for my Fuji X-E1. (Same size sensor as your D7000) I wanted to enjoy the trip without dragging a lot of equipment along. I never wanted anything longer for shooting anything. We never made it farther North than Edinburgh. I was surprised with how good the food there is. Balmoral Chicken is amazing. ( Chicken breast stuffed with haggis wrapped with bacon) my favorite meal ever.

Haveago Loc: Swindon, Wiltshire. UK.

[quote=TLConner]My wife and I are going to northern Scotland for 12 days.

TL whereabouts are you starting off from on yr visit & which way are you be planning to go? I was based in the Royal Air Force up by Elgin for about 18 months then left but have been back to Scotland many times mainly to Loch Awe not far from Glencoe.

The one place I would suggest to go in Scotland is Glencoe, anywhere around that area (Runnock Moor for one, sorry if it's spelt wrong) is absolutely beautiful.

Depending upon when you are going the one thing to take with you or buy when you get there is mossy nets for your heads when you park up to take pics anywhere. Trust me on this if you don't . . . . well be it on yr heads. :)

Baz

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I can tell you this, our neighbors Mom and Dad went to the Isles, Ireland, Britain, Scotland, and they came home to an utter disaster!
Seems the nephew was house sitting for them. A waterline outside the house broke, it ran for a reportedly 12 hours, so much so it flooded the house inside.
So they are in the tail end of a total remodel and repair of a nearly totaled house.

So be sure you shut off your water line. And shut off your water heater as well.
(And do not leave their nephew in charge!) :idea:

Have a fabulous trip! :mrgreen:

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

A. I don't know about gannets, but this guy does...I would try and contact him (Don B.). He's now a canon guy (formerly an olympus guy), but he knows his stuff when it comes to those birds.

http://forum.fourthirdsphoto.com/search.php?searchid=215984

B. Can I come?

C. Jealous.

Paul D Loc: Rhode Island

I am envious. My mom was from Edinburgh and I love visiting.

While you will need zooms for your bird photos, a 50mm or smaller lens is mandatory for the unbelievable landscape opportunities.

Sites like Edinburgh Castle, some of the Lochs up north, St. Andrew's if you get there all have to be wide.

As far as lighting opportunities outdoors, the sun is not always a familiar sight. You may be operating with less than full lighting during the daytime. However, If you are going in the summer months, it doesn't get dark until 10:30/11:00.

Enjoy!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

My advice to anyone traveling to Scotland is try and avoid the Scots. In the main a bunch of drunken wife beaters.
You will see lots of men wearing plaid skirts,do not stare, this is their national costume. They are not cross dressers. If your musical taste includes having your eardrum assailed by the unholy racket created by a leather bag of wind being squeezed under some brutish looking mans armpit you will enjoy the only entertainment your likely to be offered. They seem to consider that normal folks will enjoy listening to the bagpipes.
Its a cold inhospitable place generally so the food tends to be rather stodgy. You should quite easily be able to find a starving dog on the sidewalk who may just find it palletable but they may just prefer a slow painful death.
The women are an acquired taste and other than a drunken wife beater I have never known of a normal guy finding them attractive.
All Scottish people speak a strange brand of English which when combined with a surplus of alcohol makes communication almost impossible.

The scenery is absolutely spectacular and will take your breath away. It is a must see place. Not a bird guy so cannot help you with that, just a regular visitor a few years back. You will enjoy the trip I hope the weather is kind to you and for sure avoid the indigenous population.

dsnoke Loc: North Georgia, USA

Was in Scotland last Sept on a Photo hiking tour. Used my D7100 w 18-105mm lens for 99% of 3000 pictures in 8 days. But I saw several shops that rented gear, even one out on Skye (in Portree). So consider renting, say a 400mm f4 lens for a day or two while seeing Staffa, Eigg and Iona. Many gorgeous places. You'll love it.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Puffins are quite small, gannets quite large. One of those newer large zooms from Sigma / Tamron might fit the bill. Hire one out your side and see what you are comfortable with then hire for your shoot in Scotland. Book ahead and reserve. There is a large lens hire place in Maidenhead (close to Heathrow) if you are flying into London.

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/

If you are going to hire for any length of time a purchase might be preferable your side. (e.g. Tamron/N SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
£51.00 for 3 days)

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

i really hope this is a pathetic attempt at humor. If not, ... I'm left speechless. Perhaps, they feel the same about you, too.

alggomas Loc: Wales, United Kingdom.

I would suggest an image stabilised long zoom. Check third party lenses and reviews. Probably a wide angled zoom.
No idea whether you are on a package or driving but if you can book a walking tour with one of the organisations or tourist information centres. Save you finding out where to go.
Just enjoy the Scots and the scenery. Do not forget retail therapy for your wife!