Camera or lens upgrade?
Jul 22, 2019 06:07:56 #
Thank you all for the helpful advice. I have attached two photos I took yesterday of a small green heron. The first is him perched on a structure. Not the greatest photo, but reasonably in focus. The next picture, a few seconds later, is after he took off. The heron's distance from me is almost the same as a moment earlier, yet the heron is completely out of focus. General conditions: Focal length - 300mm; Focus mode - AF-C; AF-Area mode - Dynamic, 9 points; VR on; Aperture - f/5.6; Shutter speed - 1/4000sec; Metering - Matrix; Exposure mode - Aperture Priority; ISO - 2000; Hi ISO NR - on.
When the lens tries to focus I hear a "mmm-mmm" sound of the lens trying to lock on to the subject. It almost always does correctly after a few seconds, so stationary subjects are fine, but if the subject is moving, its has difficulties.
When the lens tries to focus I hear a "mmm-mmm" sound of the lens trying to lock on to the subject. It almost always does correctly after a few seconds, so stationary subjects are fine, but if the subject is moving, its has difficulties.
Jul 22, 2019 06:51:51 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
grahamfourth wrote:
I use a Nikon D7200 and a 70-300mm AF-S lens for w... (show quote)
I shoot in Florida, so your shooting might be different. BUT, I am much closer to birds here than I ever was up North.
I find my self using the 200-500 almost exclusively on birds in flight and wildlife. I do own the 300 PF, but do not use it because it does not reach out as far as the 200-500.
Now, on camera's, Nikon has put a new, separate processing focusing engine into three camera's, the D5, D850, and D500 DSLR's.
I also use GROUP AUTO FOCUS Exclusively on my camera's. I use the back button focus button for single spot focus for when my birds or wildlife are in branches or bush to assure the image is in focus.
If you cannot afford both, the 200-500 is currently on sale, I believe Nikon also has 200 off currently on the D500, but a special times of the year Nikon will throw in a vertical grip with their bodies.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Jul 22, 2019 07:18:37 #
grahamfourth wrote:
I use a Nikon D7200 and a 70-300mm AF-S lens for w... (show quote)
The D500 has been discontinued, if that matters to you. How about the D7500? I prefer zooms to primes because a lens with a fixed focal length could have the subject too near or too far. Look at comparisons between the D7200 and D7500.
https://www.google.com/search?q=d7200+vs+d7500&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=d7200+vs+d7500&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.6742j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
"Thank you for your interest in the following item:
Nikon D500 DSLR Camera Sports and Wildlife Kit
You are receiving this message because you asked to be notified when this item becomes available. We regret to inform you that this item has unfortunately been discontinued. Please check back on our website for similar or possible replacement items.
We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4148528
Jul 22, 2019 07:22:51 #
I have a 7200 and the 300 F4. Go for it. Great great light lens. I tried the 200-500 as a rental on the 7200 and did not like the results. Too soft for my taste. The 300 F4 seems much better IMHO
Jul 22, 2019 07:59:43 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jerryc41 wrote:
The D500 has been discontinued, if that matters to... (show quote)
Please give me the Nikon link you used to post that the D500 is discontinued.
Jul 22, 2019 08:28:21 #
I just got the D500. It’s a great camera that has changed my photographic life. I really think you should get the D500 and either the Tamron g2 150-600 or the Sigma. If you get the D500 also get the kit lens that comes with it. The will not be useful for birding and wildlife,but it’s a great lens that will give you a whole new perspective. I almost never take mine off. In any event the D500 is a must for you.
Jul 22, 2019 08:42:12 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
I would up grade the lens you can always up grade the camera latter .
Jul 22, 2019 08:58:47 #
grahamfourth wrote:
I use a Nikon D7200 and a 70-300mm AF-S lens for w... (show quote)
One of the issues with BIF is focus hunting. Some lenses allow changing the near focus distance by some amount. In BIF, if you have the option and can choose to more distant near focus, the amount of time it takes for the lens to lock focus is greatly reduced. If your current lens does not allow that, a new lens may be your best next step. Many of the lenses mentioned so far have these options and a few (the newer Tamron and Sigma zooms) have custom settings that allow you to set the focus distances to even further reduce hunting.
Jul 22, 2019 09:22:10 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
grahamfourth wrote:
I use a Nikon D7200 and a 70-300mm AF-S lens for w... (show quote)
Also, critique your technique. Do you shoot bursts?
Jul 22, 2019 09:32:01 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
grahamfourth wrote:
Thank you all for the helpful advice. I have atta... (show quote)
On your first shot the focus looks good, as "billnikon" points out, you need to get closer. You already have a 300mm lens, why would you buy another lens with the same reach? What shutter speed did you use on the second shot? Are you hand holding your camera and if so are you using VR, that could be what you are hearing. It would also help to know what settings you used on these shots. If you would resubmit these two images and check "store original" all that info would be available for a more precise analyzation and help us better see how you could be better helped.
Jul 22, 2019 09:35:04 #
Focus is usually not a camera problem . The D 7200 is a great camera. My wildlife lens ( although ) a little is the Sigma 50-500 which gives me a wide range . My all around lens is a Nikkor 28-300.
Jul 22, 2019 09:51:30 #
Jul 22, 2019 09:54:35 #
I would recommend upgrading your technique. I am not familiar with the D7200 since I use the D7000 with the 70-300 VR. I consider the AF of that lens more than acceptable for BIF and my old D7000 has a capable AF system so I am sure the AF of the D7200 is superior. It is well known that most AF errors are operator's error.
Jul 22, 2019 10:23:51 #
jackpinoh
Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
grahamfourth wrote:
I use a Nikon D7200 and a 70-300mm AF-S lens for w... (show quote)
The 300mm f/4 lens is much better than your 70-300mm lens which is f/5.6 at 300mm. Your D7200 will focus faster and more accurately at f/4 than at f/5.6. The D7200 is a 24Mp camera while the D500 is a 20Mp camera. So choosing the D500 will reduce your resolution by 17%--not what you want for wildlife. So I recommend getting the 300mm f/4 lens and, sooner or later, the 1.4TC (which works with the 300mm f/4 lens but not the 70-300mm lens). The 300mm f/4 lens + the 1.4TC raises the focal length of the lens to 520mm f/5.6.
Jul 22, 2019 10:58:58 #
CO wrote:
I have the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S lens. It does have trouble with tracking birds in flight. I purchased the Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S lens after it. The autofocus in the 80-400mm is vastly superior. I've been able to track birds as small as terns in flight with no problem.
The autofocus in your D7200 is up to the task. If you combine the D7200 with the 80-400mm AF-S lens you'll be tracking birds in flight with no problems.
The autofocus in your D7200 is up to the task. If you combine the D7200 with the 80-400mm AF-S lens you'll be tracking birds in flight with no problems.
The combination of a D500 with 80-400 is what I use for a lot of my sports photos. I would upgrade the lens like some many of the hogs has mentioned. Your camera is just fine. Maybe technique is part of the problem. Practice and more practice.
Good luck.
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