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Nikon DX lens for wildlife.
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Dec 15, 2017 06:42:05   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


Yes, you can do it if you expand you budget just a bit. I used to own and use the Nikon 200-400 f4, and the 300 2.8. These lenses became too heavy to carry around so I got the Nikon 200-500 F5.6 lens and have been happy since. This lens within 225 feet is just as sharp as my 200-400 F4 lens. And this lens, unlike 4th party glass, was designed from the lens up to work on YOUR NIKON CAMERA. Look at the reviews on this lens, they are great. Comes with a 5 year warranty, and like my Dad used to say, if it works for the first couple of days, it's going to continue to work. And you know what, I have owned the lens now for over two years everyday and it is still going strong. Still taking beautifully sharp images.

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Dec 15, 2017 06:54:15   #
UncleBuck Loc: Malvern, Arkansas
 
Consider either the Sigma 100-400 or the Tamron 100-400. I have the Tamron and I'm very pleased. I've put a link below to a post with shots from the lens.
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-501411-1.html

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Dec 15, 2017 07:14:11   #
SteveTog Loc: Philly
 
OMG Stan, that is riot! I think he meant the other kind of 'bird' however?

BTW is PixelStan anywhere near Uzebekistan?

Just curious.

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Dec 15, 2017 07:26:21   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


Here are lots of links to lens comparison sites. Go crazy! Don't rule out used and refurbished.

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Dec 15, 2017 07:37:56   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
Lot of good advice save up some more money

I use the D500 which is a DX with the Nikon 200-500 lens but I also use a Tamron 18-400 lens lighter for sure they cost around $650.00 perhaps you can find a used Tamron or Sigma 160-600 for $650.00 if you search

Here is a used 150-600:
www.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253287230480" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253287230480

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Dec 15, 2017 07:44:38   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
Here is a link of a discussion on the Tamron 18-400 DX lens:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-502320-1.html

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Dec 15, 2017 07:46:23   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
Sigma 160-600 for sale

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-502240-1.html

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Dec 15, 2017 07:50:19   #
dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


I have a D7100 and have used an older Nikon 70-300mm lens. You can get these fairly inexpensively from KEH and others. The Nikon D7xxx (which included the D7000, D7100, D7200, ETC) will effectively use both DX and FX lenses. I now purchase exclusively FX lenses as they are a guarantee of compatibility on all of my Nikon cameras. By the way, I have added an 80-400 Nikkor lens (from KEH) to my arsenal. If your going to purchase lenses, and I highly recommend it, shop the used depts. of Adorama, B&H and especially KEH. Right now (through Christmas) KEH is offering a 1 year warranty on lenses (normally 6 months and you can return any lens or camera upto 30 days after you receive it, if it has issues or doesn't do what you want.) They also now offer financing.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:01:22   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


Your best bet is to save a little more money and get what is proper for the job. A popular combination mentioned on this forum is a Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500mm lens. It will work well on the D7200 too. Other options would be to check eBay for a quality used lens. Or settle temporarily for a quality Bridge camera, such as a Canon SX60, that has a focal range to 1365mm. I know someone who uses that camera for wildlife photography with a tripod. Also, keep in mind the DX 70-300mm with VR, will give you a FOV of 105-450mm on a crop sensor. You can use a tripod if you wish to. Good luck on your choice.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:11:54   #
dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl
 
mas24 wrote:
Your best bet is to save a little more money and get what is proper for the job. A popular combination mentioned on this forum is a Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500mm lens. It will work well on the D7200 too. Other options would be to check eBay for a quality used lens. Or settle temporarily for a quality Bridge camera, such as a Canon SX60, that has a focal range to 1365mm. I know someone who uses that camera for wildlife photography with a tripod. Also, keep in mind the DX 70-300mm with VR, will give you a FOV of 105-450mm on a crop sensor. You can use a tripod if you wish to. Good luck on your choice.
Your best bet is to save a little more money and g... (show quote)


There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with this choice of camera. The D7200 (D7XXX line) is Nikon's PRO/AM DX camera and is WELL suited for nature photography. I have a D7100, a D7000 and a D610 for my arsenal of cameras. I tend to use the D7100 for most of my telephoto shots (due to the 1.5 addition to the lens calc. Yes I know it is cropping the center 2/3rds of a Full Frame, however it is doing it at 24mp.) And I use my D610 full frame primarily for normal to wide shots where the "extra" reach of a DX is cumbersome. I also know for a fact that many famous and knowledgeable professional photographers do this same thing, Moose Peterson, Joe McNally just to name a couple. Full Frame is wonderful and I really love my D610 but I also love having my D7100 with a long lens for nature/birding.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:21:43   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)


As your first experience into longer lenses, I would recommend the new Tamron 100-400 WITH the tripod collar. Maximize your image quality with this lens and CROP your way to closer fields of view and use pixel enlargement if necessary.

The bigger zooms are a LARGER size, weight, and financial commitment you may not be ready for.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:26:21   #
jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida
 
imagemeister wrote:
As your first experience into longer lenses, I would recommend the new Tamron 100-400 WITH the tripod collar. Maximize your image quality with this lens and CROP your way to closer fields of view and use pixel enlargement if necessary.


I dont' know about that. It's a good lens but not sure one should start out with a starter lens. The 200-500 or 160-600 would be my recommendation or for a starter zoom the Tamron 18-400 then go for a longer lens.

Now I used the Nikon 80-400 and loved that lens. Very nice sharp pictures but the lens is very expensive so I bought the 200-500 and also like it very much for about half the cost of the 80-400. B-Stock or used might be the way to go.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:41:03   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
dcampbell52 wrote:
There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with this choice of camera. The D7200 (D7XXX line) is Nikon's PRO/AM DX camera and is WELL suited for nature photography. I have a D7100, a D7000 and a D610 for my arsenal of cameras. I tend to use the D7100 for most of my telephoto shots (due to the 1.5 addition to the lens calc. Yes I know it is cropping the center 2/3rds of a Full Frame, however it is doing it at 24mp.) And I use my D610 full frame primarily for normal to wide shots where the "extra" reach of a DX is cumbersome. I also know for a fact that many famous and knowledgeable professional photographers do this same thing, Moose Peterson, Joe McNally just to name a couple. Full Frame is wonderful and I really love my D610 but I also love having my D7100 with a long lens for nature/birding.
There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with this choice... (show quote)


I never said anything was wrong with the D7200. I first quoted that the D500 was a good combination with the 200-500mm. And that it will work well with the D7200. You obviously missed that sentence.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:54:45   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
In my experience using DX Nikon bodies for decent photographs of birds the two best and more economical alternatives are the new (I use the old version) 80-400 f4-5.6 VR or the 200-500 f5.6. assuming you want to go with Nikon.
Tamron and Sigma manufacture the 150-600 VR lens that has excellent reviews. I have seen pictures from the Tamron, not the Sigma and I thought the images were spectacular in quality.
All of the lenses I have mentioned can be bought at reasonable prices in the refurb, second hand market.

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Dec 15, 2017 08:57:50   #
dyximan
 
streetmarty wrote:
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking around with the D7200 and the 16-80 and loving life, almost. I've been thinking about maybe trying a little bird photography. The only birds I ever shot were a couple on my bird feeder. So my Nikon DX options are 70-300 $399, 55-300 $399, 55-200 VRII $149, which I have covered with my current lens and not long enough. I thinking my budget is around a grand, a little more if need be, so the big monsters are out. Other than Fuji I know nothing about the other lens companies. What do you suggest? Thanks for the help...Marty
Hello all, I am a street guy currently walking aro... (show quote)

Ta Ron 150 to 600 G2 or their 100 to 400 I found my Nikon 55 to 300 to be a little short for birds of prey as they're a bit more wary and don't want to get too close, but if you were to go with the 1.5 or two converter that might be OK

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