Dean R.

I've been wanting to purchase a good camera for a long time, (my last quality camera was a 35mm Argus). Finally purchased a new Nikon D750 recently, along with a couple lens's. Today I was just messing around in the back yard, and took a few shots with my 70-300 lens. I took all the photo's in auto focus, and was happy with the results. Just wondering if I should get a little stronger zoom lens? I was around 18' tops from our bird feeder when I took these photo's, and the last one was in a tree approx. 40 feet away. Any input is much appreciated, as its been 38 years since I took a college photography class! lol

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Any detailed comments require that you store the originals so we can download and view the image in full-screen at 100% zoom. The 70-300 Nikon zoom is a fine lens. For wildlife, particularly with a full frame camera, you'll probably want to investigate options that will get you to the 400mm or longer range. You might be able to crop deeper into these images, but we'd need to see the details via the requested update to the post by storing originals.

Dean R.

Thanks, see I am already learning! lol I am definitely leaning towards a 400mm, thanks so much for the tip! Dean

repleo Loc: Boston

I doubt that you will find much improvement with a 400mm over a 300mm unless it is a 400mm prime with a wider aperture. I would concentrate on improving your technique. Long lenses can be a challenge for a beginner or someone out of practice.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

I have a Nikon 200-500mm for my D750 and they are a great pair. I had a Tamron 150-600mm, and I sold it when I bought my Nikon 200-500, and have no regrets. The Nikon is much faster and much sharper, in my opinion. I have not tried the 400mm.

Dean R.

Thanks for the tip, I will definitely look into the 200-500.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Congratulations on your new Nikon D750. Those birds were so colorful and beautiful. I own a Nikon 70-300mm that I use on a crop sensor DSLR. I don't use it for wildlife photography though. But, I have heard nothing but praise, on this forum, about Nikon's 200-500mm lens. It's also popular with Nikon's best crop sensor DSLR, the D500. And the price of that lens, is affordable for many, who like wildlife photography. Your other option, is to save and wait to buy the more expensive 400mm lens. Good luck.

Low Budget Dave

Nice pictures. Fun and colorful.

Try a teleconverter (like the Nikon TC-20E iii teleconverter, which I don't own, but have seen.)
It will "steal" some light from your picture (and your 70-300 is already at F5.6 at 300), but if you have good light to work with, you might be really happy with the results.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Wow! That’s quite a leap from Argus to Nikon! You probably feel like you’re a time traveler, suddenly transported 70 years into the future! Enjoy your new camera adventures!

Stan

Dean R.

Thank you all so much for the comments and tips! Yes it sure is a far cry from the old Argus! I am starting to get used to all the buttons, and have been to reading the manual. We are headed to Hawaii at the end of the month, so I am trying to get as comfortable with the camera as possible before we go. We are planning on going to Pearl Harbor, and Diamond head for sure. This forum is great, I have learned a lot just from reading all the informative posts! Dean

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good set, Dean.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

Dean, Just doing a little pixel peeping. It looks to me like the photos are slightly degraded by camera motion. The camera and lens is capable of greater sharpness than these photos have. Look at the blur of the specular hotshot reflection in the birds eye in # 1, 2 & 3. In the last photo the crispness of the leaves shows the capability of the equipment. In that photo the camera autofocuses on the foreground leaves and the bird is not sharply focused but I see no camera motion in that photo.
As the equipment becomes better and better, any problem with the technique of the photog is accentuated. Camera motion is a problem that becomes more difficult to control as telephoto focal length increases. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that the photos would be better served by a really good tripod and a remote shutter release but I recognize that even the most technically perfect photo can only be cropped and enlarged just so much before the image starts to degrade, Just be aware that with more telephoto reach comes greater difficulty in use

Yours in good photography!
PS: Like you, I started this adventure with an argus. My first real (step up from a Kodak Browny box camera) was an Argus C-3 back in the early 1960's

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Just a word of warning, you will NEVER have a long enough lens for bird photography. I have the Nikon 200mm to 500mm and I like it very much. But it's not long enough. Sure wish I could afford an 800mm. I've never been impressed with tele extenders.

Dean R.

Yes, I am definitely looking at tripods, and I do have a remote. I was trying to steady the camera with both hands, as the birds were nervous with me sitting on the deck. I see what you mean when you enlarge the photo's, its quite obvious there was some camera movement going on! Thank you so much for the tips! Dean