Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

#2

Camera - A used Nikon D4s from MPB for $2219.00 (condition - Excellent)

Lens - A used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Lens from Adorama for $6999.00 (Condition - E-). With the built in TC1.4E, this would give 560mm reach.

I was initially thinking of picking the Nikon Z6ii, but since you said one camera and one lens only, no exceptions, I would also need the FTZ converter to use my lens choice. Thus the reason for picking the D4s and staying in the gear and price limitations you gave.

JOHNERIKSSON Loc: CENTRAL WISCONSIN

easy:Canon 1D X MARK III OR R5. AND I00 X 400 II OR R100 X 500

rbest77701

#2

LittleRed

I can only match your posting on the first combo of $9500 for camera and lens (just barely). I am a Canon guy so I probably be only looking in that direction. My dream would of course be mirrorless. Below would be my dream buys😜. I am including the taxes in my CD prices (13%)

Option 1 - Canon R5 body @ $6100 plus Canon 100-400 @ $3400 for total $9500
Option 2 - Canon R6 body @ $3900 plus Canon 300 2.8 @ $9050 plus 1.4 TC @ $650 for total $13600

Now before any of uz out there get excited the above prices are what I would pay for all new equipment here in my home Canada. For those south of the 49th the prices (without taxes) would be from Adorama

Option 1 - $6300 USD
Option 2 - $9030 USD

So you can see a bit of what we have to put up with in regards to prices up here in the Great White North 🥶

Sadly l probably can just dream about outfits like these as at my age of 78 on a pension income that is all they will ever be, a dream. But what the hell would this world be if we couldn’t at least do that, right???

All youse out there stay safe and keep a-posting.

LittleRed ( Ron )

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Normally I would have said glass over camera, however if you are only talking about 1 lens and 1 camera:

I'd get the Sony A1 ($6498) and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens ($1898). I would use the left over money in the budget for the Sony 1.4x and the Sony 2.0x teleconverters giving me a range of 200 to 1200mm. I'd still have $107 left over for a new bag!

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

#2. You can purchase a very good camera for $2500. Then a terrific lens to go with it. It would be much better than I am a photographer. However, I will always be a student!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Most definitely, I'd chose #2.

I would MUCH rather have a top quality lens on a mid-grade camera, than a lower quality lens on a pro-grade camera!

In fact, I'd tell Casper to give me a check for $9500 and let me make my own purchases. That way I could get one or two very solid cameras ($2500) and buy two or three or more lenses ($7000)

For example, DSLR option:

Canon 7D Mark II... New: $1400. Used: under $900.
Battery grip BG-E16, extra battery... New: $250. Used: $150.
EF 100-400mm II IS lens... New: $2400. Used: $2000.
EF 1.4X III or II teleconverter... New: $430. Used: $210-$350.
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens + hood... New: $925. Used: $500.
EF-S 10-22mm lens + hood... New: $700. Used: $300.
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro w/hood & t'pod ring... New: $775 Used: $475.

Heck, even buying new that's less than $7000! Let's keep shopping.

Or, mirrorless....

Canon R6.... $2400
Canon BG-R10 grip + battery... $425
Canon RF 100-500mm... $2700
Canon RF 24-105L... $1100
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L... $2300.
(I'd prefer the rumored 14-35mm f/4, but it's not avail. yet)

Hey, still got $75 left over... Let's go out to dinner! Oh, wait, forget it. Sales tax!

Either of the above make more sense to me than...

Canon 1DX Mark III for $6500
Canon EF 100-400mm... $2400.

Great camera, but with sales tax those two items will be over $9000.

But I also wouldn't blow all $7000 on a single lens, such as a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L or EF 400mm f/4 DO (one or the other, not both!)

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Thinks Chief, Casper just popped into my head when I was typing the original question.

Nathanielross Loc: Northeastern Maryland.

For some work the camera is the key for other work the lens but always the hands the hold the equipment are the controlling factor.
This can be achieved only with a rapid shutter release.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

I have the Nikon D7100, and love it. I also have the Nikon 70 -300 lens. However I'm looking to hear from anyone who has used that and the Nikon 18-300 for a comparison. I'm seriously considering getting that lens, as I'm not impressed with the sharpness of the 70-300 at 300mm. Comments on this?
TIA

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

R5 and RF 100-500mm L lightly used.

vangoughsear Loc: Pittsburgh area

It is the glass that forms the image. Buy the best glass you can afford. If you need to save money on anything go with a less expensive camera body.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

2

sudamar Loc: Southern Indiana

#2, of course. For $2500 you can get a pretty good camera. For up to $7000 you can get a great lens.

Tom70 Loc: NY

a knowledgeable photographer with an inexpensive but good camera (you don't have spend a fortune to get a good camera, every brand has several) and very very good lens (you don't need the very best just very good) can and will take show stopper photo's.
Given the choice the answer is #2