Which long lens to take to Yellowstone.. I'll be visiting my youngest son in Bozeman Montana in early August. I don't have the funds to spend on any new glass & I already decided on...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I'll be visiting my youngest son in Bozeman Montana in early August. I don't have the funds to spend on any new glass & I already decided on shorter focal lenght lenses to take. I don't usually shoot with long lenses but I do have a few. My choices are between the original AF 80-400mm Nikkor F4-5.6 VR, an AF Nikkor 300mm F4 AF EDIF, a MF Nikkor 300mm F4.5 EDIF or a MF 400mm F5.6 EDIF Nikkor

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Screamin Scott wrote:

I'll be visiting my youngest son in Bozeman Montana in early August. I don't have the funds to spend on any new glass & I already decided on shorter focal lenght lenses to take. I don't usually shoot with long lenses but I do have a few. My choices are between the original AF 80-400mm Nikkor F4-5.6 VR, an AF Nikkor 300mm F4 AF EDIF, a MF Nikkor 300mm F4.5 EDIF or a MF 400mm F5.6 EDIF Nikkor

I would take my 80-400

ELNikkor

The 80-400

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

80-400 if it's the new version for sure! If it's not, the lightest 400 if it's compact.

alx Loc: NJ

I agree with 80-400. Give yourself the most flexibility.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Since you ask which LONG lens to take, I assume from the form of your question that you will be taking shorter lenses as well. That being the case, take the 400, set it for infinity and have fun. No need to sneak up on the bears that way. Are you taking two cameras?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Simple. Take at least a 2800mm!

I took an 80-400 and it was pretty good all around. Something short for walking the geyser basins and scenery may be appropriate as well and you seem to have that covered.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

80-400 plus a wide angle lens. A fast wide would be good for night sky images. Do you have an f2.8 lens?

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

400 5.6

anotherview Loc: California

Check out the new Sigma 100-400mm lens: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-100-400mm-f-5-6.3-DG-OS-HSM-Contemporary-Lens.aspx

Screamin Scott wrote:

I'll be visiting my youngest son in Bozeman Montana in early August. I don't have the funds to spend on any new glass & I already decided on shorter focal lenght lenses to take. I don't usually shoot with long lenses but I do have a few. My choices are between the original AF 80-400mm Nikkor F4-5.6 VR, an AF Nikkor 300mm F4 AF EDIF, a MF Nikkor 300mm F4.5 EDIF or a MF 400mm F5.6 EDIF Nikkor

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you are going to be shooting wildlife you need to take one of those long lenses with you.
I like the 80-400 VR.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Scott,
You didn't indicate your mode of transportation so I'll offer two suggestions. If flying then take the 80-400 but if traveling by auto then take them all. Take care & ...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Definitely flying. For a five day trip, I wouldn't want to waste time driving there from Atlanta... I am leaning towards the 80-400mm but just wanted input from people who have been there. Sure, I'd like one of the 150-600mm lenses, but like I said, I don't currently have the funds for anything else so I'm going with what I do have. Oh, I'm taking the D610, not any of my other cameras. I am taking an external flash. Other lenses I'm taking are a Nikkor 28-105mm, a Tamron 20-40mm and a Nikkor 50mm F1.4, all AF.

Al Beatty wrote:

Hi Scott,
You didn't indicate your mode of transportation so I'll offer two suggestions. If flying then take the 80-400 but if traveling by auto then take them all. Take care & ...

guardineer

Bozeman Camera has several lenses for rent including Nikon 200-500. Make a reservation. I don't have one but wondering why no one has suggested Tamron 18-400.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

guardineer wrote:

Bozeman Camera has several lenses for rent including Nikon 200-500. Make a reservation. I don't have one but wondering why no one has suggested Tamron 18-400.

The OP was not interested in purchasing additional lenses. I personally prefer the 200-500, but overall it may be more appropriate to stick with the 80-400 in lieu of the 200-500 for general Yellowstone use. I have been caught with lost opportunities when carrying just the longer focal lengths. I guess that's why I carry two cameras in Yellowstone!

BTW, the 18-400 is an excellent choice...my wife has a few thousand shots with it in Yellowstone, but not on the agenda for the OP.