dione961

Hi
I posted on this yesterday but my post may have been confusing - it's a very complicated area for me (sorry I don't know how to paste the topic link in here).

I'm travelling by sailboat (sailed Australia via Sth & Nth Pacific Japan & Aleutian Islands to Alaska & soon will be heading back via more of Alaska, BC, Hawaii, etc.)

I've had stories published (with Nikon 1 pics) but only in Yacht Club magazines. I need better photos for some sailing & travel magazines interested in the voyage & the reason for it. So I now have a D7200 but no telephoto lens.

There will be amazing wildlife up in the Alaska section, but a sailboat also cannot often get close to wildlife & there can often be poor light.

So I figure I need a telephoto lens. But which?

I'm small (& not a teenager) & would struggle with a heavy lens, especially on a moving sailboat.

I'm not a wealthy "yachtie" so for instance I could not afford the new Nikon 200-500 even if I could get one.

Aperture is a factor given the poor light conditions. Steve Perry advises to get in close / use a TC / don't crop, etc; but using a TC cuts light further, so.......

Used (unless a hogger has something for sale) is not ideal as I'm leaving the US soon, so re-furb or new.

I've read many many posts & articles on the topic, but it would be nuts to spend thousands without knowing what I'm doing & why.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how they might go in similar circumstances?

Regards, Dione, Seward, AK.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Your topic from yesterday is here: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-579597-1.html

Perhaps the reason you are not getting a lot of response is that your answer is quite simple. Buy a zoom lens you can afford.

This would be a good choice: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1365789-REG/nikon_20062b_af_p_dx_nikkor_70_300mm.html

dione961

Hi & thanks for your suggestion - very kind of you to help - I guess it all seems simple when you know what you're doing but a couple of months ago I hadn't ever used anything other than Auto. The learning curve has been stratospheric. It's true money is a consideration but getting in close enough for a printable shot is a vital factor, as are light & weight & reliability in a harsh environment.

I wondered whether the 70-300 would get in close enough, or be fast enough in low light - I'm not sure.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...what 70-300 lens are you talking about...right now Nikon makes 5...? You might also consider taking 2 cameras...I am thinking outside the box here...Nikon makes a bridge camera called the Nikon P900 which has an equivalent focal length of 2000mm...and it cost right around $500...it will be much easier to manage and you won’t have to change lenses on the boat...put the 18-140mm on the D7200 and you should be set...people shoot the moon with the P900 with great results...

dione961

Hi & thanks for your reply. I have a Nikon 1 AW1 - a super little camera but it lacks the zoom range for the types of close-up wildlife shots magazines seem to want. The 18-140 I have is a fab travel walk-around but also not getting close enough. I was gifted an AF-S 55-300 VR ED. It is great on sunny days but not so great in low light & nearly half its range is covered by the 18-140; and is also not getting close enough.

I've read & re-read many posts & articles on the Sigma & Tamron 150-600 lenses & the Nikkor 200-500.

I couldn't work out (given the requirements) which if any would suit - I just don't have the experience. I'm feeling lost.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Used NIKKOR 80-200/2.8 AFD ... sharp and pretty bulletproof.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Have you considered the Tamron 150-600 either the first generation or the G2? I have a D7200 and fegularly shoot wildlife and birds in flight. I started with the 1st generation Tamron and then sold it and bought the G2. I was pleased with my first Tamron 150-600 and almost wished I hadn’t sold it. You should be able to get either version used for a decent price. Try B&H or KEH. Also, use the “search” feature here and check to see if one,of us has the Tamron for sale.

dione961

Thanks Mike - I've read a bunch on the Tamrons & some 100-400's which are shorter, but lighter & cheaper. What would you rate as an OK price for used G2 & earlier model? Meanwhile I'll check out KEH - don't know them.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The D7200 is a great camera. Mine came with an 18-140mm f3.5-5.6, which has performed will. I have purchased a few more lenses since then and for travel, when I want flexibility without a lot of weight I bought a Tamron 18-400mm f3.5-6.3. Other glass you may want to consider are the 100-400mm zooms.

A great body and lens won't necessarily result in better pictures. I have seen some great pics taken with smartphones and point and shoot and bridge cameras, but they require good technique. My recommendation is to get a good 3rd party extended manual with tips and recommended settings and learn your camera front to back. I would also look at as many magazine images as you can. Learn what makes them better than your images and figure out how to improve. Look at your shots critically and ask are you having exposure issues, out of focus, blurred, poor composition or maybe good shots, but not great shots. Since you are going to shooting a lot of water shots, make sure you have a UV filter and a cir polarizer for all the glass you take with you.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...this is a YouTube video showing the advantages of the Nikon P900 over the 150-600mm lens both in size and reach...I also don’t think there is much difference in image quality...compare for yourself which one you think you could handle...the specs on the P900 are 24-2000mm f2.8-6.5...you also might want to consider the Panasonic FZ80 which goes from 20-1200mm f2.5-5.9...

https://youtu.be/3QX-F8geRzM

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If I let that hold me back, I'd have a pretty dull life.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! The P900 or P1000 gives you a lot in one package. There will definitely be enough light out on the sea.

As for a lens for the D7200, a 100-400mm or 200-500mm would work.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

You haven't mentioned your budget for the lens, but you my be wanting champagne on a beer budget. Any lens long enough to not get close but capable of low light will be f2.8 at least and cost a few $$. Especially since you seem opposed to used. You also haven't mentioned how much weight you can handle. That 55-200 or 70-300 will seem like a feather to a good telephoto the handles low light.

Have you considered a nice prime lens and a 1.4 teleconverter? You lose a stop, but you can get a nice clean, used 300mm f4D IF-ED prime that is 450mm field of view on your D7200 or about $400-$500 if you look around. Add a 1.4 teleconverter for $100 bucks and you are reaching 630mm at f5.6. The D7200 should handle that at around 1600-3200 ISO, no problem. That lens weighs about 3.5 lbs and is built solid.

Low Budget Dave

I actually do have a thought on this. Look up the Tamron SP 70-200 F2.8 Di VC USD G2. (Sorry that is such a mouthful. I can't post a link from here, so I wanted to get the name right.)

It has quick and accurate autofocus, it has very good image stabilization, and it is bright enough to shoot in lower light, for about half the price of the Nikon equivalent. The weather sealing is not quite as good as the Nikon, so if you run into some really nasty weather, you will have to stick to the Nikon 1. (Assuming you are using the waterproof lenses.)

Anyway, the only downside for sailing is that this is a bigger lens than you will be used to. Whenever a Nikon V1 user picks up a 3 pound Tamron lens, you can tell by the look on their face that they are re-thinking the decision.