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Mar 18, 2023 20:47:05   #
willy6419
 
I understand the triangle, ss, aperture, iso and use LrC/Ps for post, shoot raw, with D850 or D500, pretty well.

I shoot for fun, but like sharp images, nicely composed. Lens choices are 50 1.8,24-70 2.8; 300 pf 4, 70-200 2.8; 80-400 4.5-5.6 and 105 2.8 macro. Have TC1.4

Will visit Costa Rica in June, and wildlife may be static, but need be ready for the 'cute movement shots, in varying light conditions.

I've not experienced the jungle light conditions, normally shoot wildlife in better lighting, but I'm studying how to optimize sharp, with noise that I can improve, use auto ISO or set a button to increase ss/iso as soon as movement starts. I can Pano merge landscapes with the very lightweight 50mm, if compelling or simply go for the wildlife.

I'll take the 105 for macro and a flash.

I can't afford/justify a 600 mm F4 (it's a hobby), and not that interested in the 200-500.

So, that said:

Maybe my light concerns aren't something to worry about?

Maybe use off-camera flash, but that has hand, speed and distance limits?

Maybe the 70-200 with or without the tc 1.4. but i give up a lot of reach, gain aperture vs 80-400.

I like the 300, but it's fixed.

Any references, YouTube videos or tricks, thoughts are welcomed.

I use a cotton carrier while hiking.


Thanks,

Bill

Reply
Mar 18, 2023 21:04:00   #
Ysarex Loc: St. Louis
 
Watch out for snakes. They've got some seriously nasty ones down there including in the trees.

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Mar 18, 2023 21:28:36   #
willy6419
 
Great advice. It's the thing i worry about, but we have local guides.

Reply
 
 
Mar 18, 2023 21:46:07   #
luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
 
Check out Steve Perry's website, Back Country Gallery, for excellent videos on wildlife photography. He goes to Costa Rica quite often and offers workshop trips so you will see a lot of his photos from there in his videos.

https://backcountrygallery.com

Dodie

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Mar 18, 2023 21:50:23   #
willy6419
 
thanks, I am. I learn much from him.

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Mar 19, 2023 06:28:04   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
You're making a mistake by dismissing the 200~500 zoom. It's the best kept secret in Nikon's collection!

Reply
Mar 19, 2023 09:18:36   #
willy6419
 
Thanks, I know users love it. I avoided because only 100mm more, same F 5.6 and 95mm filters, versus the 77mm i have, but those aren't so important with post. I'll consider it.

Reply
 
 
Mar 19, 2023 09:35:02   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
willy6419 wrote:
Thanks, I know users love it. I avoided because only 100mm more, same F 5.6 and 95mm filters, versus the 77mm i have, but those aren't so important with post. I'll consider it.


I use mine on both my D850 and my D500. On the D500 I get 750mm equivalent WITHOUT a TC which I won't use. It's a great lens, and I won't ad the caveat "for the price". Just a great lens, full stop!

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Mar 19, 2023 10:49:29   #
317tman Loc: Indianapolis, In
 
You will likely need reach in the jungle. I went there years ago using a 200-400 on a full frame and 400 was a little lacking. It would be ok with a crop camera. A 600 f4 would be great if you have someone to carry it for you. I would rent something like a 100-400 that can be used with a 1.4. Also I hired a guide who approached me; best money spent. He knew where all the wildlife hung out in the park. I would never had seen most .

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Mar 19, 2023 11:27:50   #
photoman43
 
When I went to Costa Rica, I took two Nikon bodies, D500 and D810. My most used lenses were my Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf lens and my Nikon 300mm f4 pf lens. I left my macro lens at home but used the 300mm with an extension tube as my macro lens for frogs, etc.

If you do not want to buy the Nikon 200-500mm rent one for the trip. Most of the people on my photo trip were using zooms. Canon 100-400m or Nikon 80-400mm.

You need to rethink your position on the Nikon 200-500mm.

If you take a flash make sure you know how to use it and how you are going to set it for shots in Costa Rica. I used a flash for some hummingbird shots and macro shots. Flash was fill light not main light in my case.

Google Greg Bosco to see how he uses flash in Costa Rica.

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Mar 19, 2023 11:47:12   #
pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA
 
ISO will be a major factor. So plan for that. Near to or equatorial jungles can be incredibly dark if the natural triple canopy is intact.

Reply
 
 
Mar 19, 2023 11:59:49   #
osoblancophoto Loc: Venice FL
 
luvmypets wrote:
Check out Steve Perry's website, Back Country Gallery, for excellent videos on wildlife photography. He goes to Costa Rica quite often and offers workshop trips so you will see a lot of his photos from there in his videos.

https://backcountrygallery.com

Dodie


👌

Reply
Mar 19, 2023 13:18:13   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
willy6419 wrote:
I understand the triangle, ss, aperture, iso and use LrC/Ps for post, shoot raw, with D850 or D500, pretty well.

I shoot for fun, but like sharp images, nicely composed. Lens choices are 50 1.8,24-70 2.8; 300 pf 4, 70-200 2.8; 80-400 4.5-5.6 and 105 2.8 macro. Have TC1.4

Will visit Costa Rica in June, and wildlife may be static, but need be ready for the 'cute movement shots, in varying light conditions.

I've not experienced the jungle light conditions, normally shoot wildlife in better lighting, but I'm studying how to optimize sharp, with noise that I can improve, use auto ISO or set a button to increase ss/iso as soon as movement starts. I can Pano merge landscapes with the very lightweight 50mm, if compelling or simply go for the wildlife.

I'll take the 105 for macro and a flash.

I can't afford/justify a 600 mm F4 (it's a hobby), and not that interested in the 200-500.

So, that said:

Maybe my light concerns aren't something to worry about?

Maybe use off-camera flash, but that has hand, speed and distance limits?

Maybe the 70-200 with or without the tc 1.4. but i give up a lot of reach, gain aperture vs 80-400.

I like the 300, but it's fixed.

Any references, YouTube videos or tricks, thoughts are welcomed.

I use a cotton carrier while hiking.


Thanks,

Bill
I understand the triangle, ss, aperture, iso and u... (show quote)


A couple of things. First and foremost...I've shot in dangerous environments...including in industrial plants and in the desert at night with no moon. If you are planning on your guides keeping you safe, you are going to be in deep trouble. They may be able to give you some instructions and to manage the overall risk for the group. But it will be your responsibility to be alert and to always have an immediate way out. High on your list of operating rules will be never to put your hand or any other part of your body anywhere that you cannot see.

I use the same cameras that you do, and I have several of the same lenses that you list. The first thing to realize is that you are not going to be in "the wide open spaces." Except in very unusual situations, you are not going to be shooting at long distances. You are going to be working in deep shade. Having the light you want is going to be a bigger problem than having the length you want. I'd plan on shooting at ISOs between 1200 and 2000. That shouldn't be a problem with either of your cameras. You are probably going to get suggestions to use AutoISO. In my experience, there are just too many landmines with that approach in a situation like this.

Lens-wise, I'd expect that 24-200 will easily cover anything that is needed. Unfortunately, you're not going to want to be changing lenses. Over the last couple of years, I've become really fascinated with what I can do with a 24-120mm f/4 Nikkor on either camera. Cropping a 120mm frame to 200mm is no problem for either camera. And that lens is smaller (when retracted) and lighter than either the 24-70 or the 70-200. Any chance you could try one of those lenses and see what you think?

Your bigger decision is likely to be which camera to carry. I did a big trip last summer to the convention of a railroad history and modelling group. Took two cameras...D500 and D850, each with a 24-120 f/4. Both were wildly successful, except I did have to do a couple of panos with the D500 inside a historic building. And yes, I did do a couple of in-camera DX crops on the D850 for some shots I planned to email home. Overall, I decided that if I were going to take one camera next time, it would probably be the D500.

You are facing an interesting dilemma. I'll be interested to see what you decide to do.

Reply
Mar 19, 2023 13:25:13   #
DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
 
willy6419 wrote:
I understand the triangle, ss, aperture, iso and use LrC/Ps for post, shoot raw, with D850 or D500, pretty well.

I shoot for fun, but like sharp images, nicely composed. Lens choices are 50 1.8,24-70 2.8; 300 pf 4, 70-200 2.8; 80-400 4.5-5.6 and 105 2.8 macro. Have TC1.4

Will visit Costa Rica in June, and wildlife may be static, but need be ready for the 'cute movement shots, in varying light conditions.

I've not experienced the jungle light conditions, normally shoot wildlife in better lighting, but I'm studying how to optimize sharp, with noise that I can improve, use auto ISO or set a button to increase ss/iso as soon as movement starts. I can Pano merge landscapes with the very lightweight 50mm, if compelling or simply go for the wildlife.

I'll take the 105 for macro and a flash.

I can't afford/justify a 600 mm F4 (it's a hobby), and not that interested in the 200-500.

So, that said:

Maybe my light concerns aren't something to worry about?

Maybe use off-camera flash, but that has hand, speed and distance limits?

Maybe the 70-200 with or without the tc 1.4. but i give up a lot of reach, gain aperture vs 80-400.

I like the 300, but it's fixed.

Any references, YouTube videos or tricks, thoughts are welcomed.

I use a cotton carrier while hiking.


Thanks,

Bill
I understand the triangle, ss, aperture, iso and u... (show quote)


Maybe get a Better Beamer for extending flash distance?

Reply
Mar 19, 2023 13:34:10   #
willy6419
 
Excellent thoughts to add to my decision making, thanks for sharing. The safety thing is critical. At least, there aren't likely to be AK47's in this jungle!

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