Bird in Flight lens on a budget (Page 5): Nice work.

yhtomit Loc: Port Land. Oregon

Nice work.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Stef C wrote:

Thanks for everyone's help!

I don't think i have any issue with the technique and results i've gotten, i just want a longer reach.

The below are a few shots i've gotten with 200mm or less over the years. I can PAN, focus, and track them just fine.. but i really think right now it's the gear that's limiting me..

Thank you all for your input and advice!

These are great! A longer lens will help, but it will be harder to track - but your tracking skills are evident. You will do well to get a longer lens -

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

Gene51 wrote:

If you end up wanting a 50-500, you might want to consider mine, which I have not listed yet, but would like to get $500, with a Contax 86mm filter.

Are there two different versions of this lens? I have a Sigma 50-500mm and mine takes a 95mm filter. Just wondering if you have an older version of this lens and that is why yours is not as good.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Japakomom wrote:

Are there two different versions of this lens? I have a Sigma 50-500mm and mine takes a 95mm filter. Just wondering if you have an older version of this lens and that is why yours is not as good.

Actually there are several versions of this lens. Old version, DG version, OS version - and in each version there are several revisions. Mine is the last version before they introduced the OS version. I think when they added the OS, they went to a larger barrel, which would explain the increase from 86mm to 95mm. Optically, I think they are pretty much equivalent. As long as we are not talking about the really old one, the non-DG version.

It's good, but not as good as the other lenses being considered.

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Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

Gene51 wrote:

These are great! A longer lens will help, but it will be harder to track - but your tracking skills are evident. You will do well to get a longer lens -

Thanks Gene!

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

Gene - have you shot the AF & AF-S version of the F4 300?

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Stef I use the 300 AF-S...gray market from B&H new. When it comes to used lenses...If I can't physically look at it...mount the thing up and take a few shoots with it...then I'd go with B&H or Adorama used section.

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amehta Loc: Boston

Bret wrote:

Stef I use the 300 AF-S...gray market from B&H new. When it comes to used lenses...If I can't physically look at it...mount the thing up and take a few shoots with it...then I'd go with B&H or Adorama used section.

I would add KEH to the list for unseen used equipment.

bigshot Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Rongnongno wrote:

A misspelling of BIF (Bird in flight)
Also Best Boy friend for whatever that means in RL (real life)
AATMNS (all acronyms that make no sense) :lol: :lol: :lol:

I consider the acronyms to be TOB (tower of Babel)

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

my skills are not that great, so a 100-300mm zoom with a mega mpxl sensor, would let me zoom out enough to frame the bird, and let me crop to get a better view.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Stef C wrote:

Thanks for everyone's help!

I don't think i have any issue with the technique and results i've gotten, i just want a longer reach.

The below are a few shots i've gotten with 200mm or less over the years. I can PAN, focus, and track them just fine.. but i really think right now it's the gear that's limiting me..

Thank you all for your input and advice!

I'd have to say that I agree with you, your doing very well with what you have. Did you crop the humming bird?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Stef C wrote:

Gene - have you shot the AF & AF-S version of the F4 300?

Only the AF-S - excellent lens. It is nearly indistinguishable from the F2.8 at F5.6, and pretty good at F4.

The caution I will offer is that the AF-D is an older lens that is no longer supported by Nikon with parts and service. If you have one and develop an issue you might have trouble getting it fixed. I am facing the same thing with my 600mm F4 AF-S II - which is nearing its support cut off date.

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

RRS wrote:

I'd have to say that I agree with you, your doing very well with what you have. Did you crop the humming bird?

I did, it's tough to get close to those suckers. That shot required me lying in the grass for a few hours being very patient

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

And thanks :)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Stef C wrote:

Hey guys and girls, br br I'm looking for a BIF l... (show quote)

Stef, if you want to save some serious money on a GREAT lens, go to KEH and tell them you want the next available Sigma 100-300 F4 EX in Nikon mount. Go to my website to see examples. I have 2 L lenses and the Sigma is as good or BETTER ! I use it with a Tamron SP 1.4X that NEVER comes off the lens. This lens is a nonextending internal zoom - that means you can zoom with one finger! You zoom out for BIF acquisition and then zoom in - about $600 at KEH.