CaliforniaDreamer

I use canon but have the Sigma 150-600. It is ok for stationary subjects but the focus is too slow for BIF.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

If you don't already use single point focus I would suggest trying this setup with back button focus...you can easily move the focus pint around with the toggle...with BBF you can use it as a single or continues focus...I don't think i would buy another lens or camera until working out my technique...

ricosha Loc: Phoenix, Arizona

Two things, but first I own both the d500 and the 300mm f4 and they are a wicked combo, Item #1, technique is very important when shooting BIF. Back button focus and how to use it teemed with understanding Nikon auto focus (buy Steve Perry's ebook) and #2 a good tripod and head which allows smooth movement, set your shutter speed around 1/2000 and f4 to one or two stops tighter, push your ISO for the light to get the proper exposure. Here is what I normally use for BIF: I prefer the d810 because of the ability to crop (more mega-pixels, the d500 is only 20MP); and I use a longer lens (a sigma sport 150x600mm). That said, the Sigma is not the quality of the Nikon 300mm f4, but is close. My tripod for birds is a heavy manfroto with their best pan head. This head allows a little friction on the movement and smooth panning. I shoot Manual and adjust the camera though out the day...

CaliforniaDreamer

Again I am not familiar wit Nikon but on my Canon I also use BBF. I have one button set to one shot and the other set to AI Servo. As Charlienow says this works very well for both stationary and moving subjects.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

You seem to indicate that focus is you major problem. The D500 would be the way to go to fix that. See how your 70-300 works with that and worry about a lens later. Order Steve Perry's e-book on the Nikon focus system as well!!

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

BIF?

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Birds In Flight

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Birds In Flight...

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

How have you set the custom focus settings on the Sigma?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I shoot Canon but I did a quick search of Nikon USA's site. They still advertise the D500, but not that "Sports and Wildlife" kit. Their site has that kit "archived".

That said I still say the OP has a good camera in the D7200 and should go for a better lens first. Upgrade the body later.

neillaubenthal

I've done a lot of research lately on a lens upgrade…my D7500 is plenty of camera but my current Sigma 50-500 just isn't sharp enough on the long end for wildlife. I've been comparing the Sigma Sport 150-500, the Tamron 150-600 G2, and the Nikor 200-500. All get decent reviews but after reading about them on probably 30 different reviews and comparisons it appears that the Tamron G2 is the winner for wildlife…the reviews put it and the Nikor about the same optically with the Nikor slightly better in about 55% of the reviews but the biggest downgrade is focusing speed for the Nikor. I'm probably going to get the Tamron when we get back to home base in the fall…my normal walking around lens is the Nikor 18-300 and going to 600 instead of 500 on the long lens will give me a little more reach in addition to faster focusing. It' been evaluated by most of the reviews as plenty fast enough for BIF. The Sigma Sport is generally rated better than the Contemporary…but it's more expensive than either the Contemporary or the G2 and it's a lot heavier…which means it would be less likely to be carried on hikes unless I was pretty sure I will need it…the lighter G2 will almost always be in the hiking backpack.

Naturally…none of them are as good as the fixed focal length Nikor primes…but then they are way cheaper…and my photos are published on my blog page with no interest in selling them or putting prints on the wall so the reduced quality of the zooms is a worthwhile tradeoff.

If would upgrade the glass first and then if money allows I would personally get a D7500 over a D500…because the latter doesn't have the U1 and U2 stored settings that the former does…that makes going from my normal landscape/wildlife settings to the waterfall settings a lot simpler…and going to the more pro oriented D500 isn't worth it for this advanced amateur shooter.

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Glass, Glass, Glass...

Race Raccoon Loc: Yankton, South Dakota

There is no good reason your D7200 so equipped shouldn't do very well capturing your BIF shots. It has all the tools needed to do the job; one must commit to studying and working hard to learn how to use it. In Nikon's cropped frame world, only two upgrades exist, the D7500 & the D500. They're newer cameras & more capable than your D7200, but not enough that if you're experiencing difficulty w/your D7200, you'll likely have the same difficulty & dissatisfaction with either of the newer models. None of Nikon's upper echelon cameras can be used casually & easily unless they're shot in the scene modes, none of which are suitable for what you're attempting.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

The D7200 is a great body. I'd go for a change on the lens. As robertjeri suggests look at the Tamron 150 - 600 g2 lens. I have this lens and it focus's very fast and is extremely sharp. I use it on my D810 and D7100 and am satisfied with this lens on both cameras. If you are near a camera store you might go in and try it on your camera.

Ron 717 Loc: Pennsylvania

You might want to try an Aperture of f8, it will give you a little bit more depth of field which might help to keep BIF in focus. I find that this works for me.