CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I have an equipment question for everyone. I have the opportunity to watch an active eagles nest, chicks should be born in the next couple of weeks. I have a Nikon D5300 with the 70-300mm kit lens. But I want closer and better images than what I am getting --- I am new to the dslr's so some of the quality of this pic is more on me learning than on the lens but I can't get any closer with the lens I have. This was taken with a 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3 lens at 300mm and I cropped it a little -- but I lose quality when I crop.

I have a budget of $800 to $1000 is about all I can afford...what lens would you all suggest? Living in Montana gives me a great opportunity for landscape and wildlife photography, not sure what the best lens to get would be.

Thanks for any and all suggestions and comments on pic.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Cindy, Consider a Tamron or Sigma 150-600. Welcome to UHH

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1013957-REG/tamron_a011_n_sp_150_600mm_f_5_6_3_di.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/search?Ntt=sigma%20150-600%20nikon&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&typedValue=&Top+Nav-Search=

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thanks....those are the same two that the Flickr group told me to check out tonight as well...lol yes I am a double poster!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I agree, Tamron or Sigma. Both can be bought used within your budget.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

Cindy,
Welcome to the HOG. Carter at the Camera Cottage in Billings would be a good source. He is a regular here under the name MTShooter. He also has a significant rental inventory that would allow you to try before you buy. You will also need a good tripod with the longer lens.

Kfallsfotoman

For your budget the 150-600 mentioned seems like a good fit.
I rented the Tamron version and absolutely loved it for Eagle season here.

It is a big lens so make sure you have a good tripod if racking it out to 600mm

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Thank! He is about a 7 hr drive away...so I won't be able to visit there but I will give them a call and see what they have -- I just checked out his website and I don't see either lens listed. I do have a tripod that I use with my spotting scope...it's a pretty heavy duty one but it isn't a full height one.