Regardless of which camera she buys, does she have or is she planning to get a good tripod? When dealing with 250-300mm focal lengths, she will be finding it difficult to get photos free from motion blur.
A telephoto lens is basically a long, expensive magnifier and even the slightest motion from hand-holding a long lens will also be magnified.
Stabilization systems in cameras and lenses are a help but still you can get some very disturbing hand-held motion blur. Take notice of a ball game or other sporting event. All those people at the edge of the field with those 'honkin big' telephoto lenses that can easily cost over $10,000 each. Where do you see those lenses/cameras? On a tripod.
Does she like to read? Because she should read and research the problems you encounter when using long focal length lenses. I'm not trying to be discouraging, but a lens is a tool. It is like buying a very expensive crescent wrench. It is useless if you don't know how to open the jaws of the wrench to fit the nut you are going to take off with it.
The Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras offer excellent value, and consistently score at a high level on DxO, and are 24mp, (which for birds in flight should enable significant cropping while retaining detail.)
The 70 - 300 lens is a fine choice on the Nikon side. It is well priced and produces respectable results.
One thing - unmentioned so far - is weather sealing. This unfortunately pushes the camera price up a bit. If this is important - and it should be for wildlife photography - you would have to look at the Nikon D7000 (16mp) or D7100 (24mp).
You did not mention budget, but I get the sense is that you are looking at up to 1K for the whole package. To get a wildlife camera, lens and tripod with weather sealing and a suitable tripod will push you to 2K. Just worth thinking about, as not everyone wants to spend to that level. As others have said: Don't cheap out on the tripod. A suitable tripod and head will probably eat up $500 of your budget. Not spending that will leave her having to upgrade the tripod legs and head one or more times. A good tripod should last you forever with today's tripods and heads.
Bear2
Loc: Southeast,, MI
Believe currently the Nikon D7100 is rated the best DX camera on the market, and weather sealed for outdoor wildlife photography.
I have the earlier but still excellent D7000 with a variety of lenses including the 70-300 4.5-5.6 G VR, and absolutely love it. My wish list is the 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR, and maybe on the new D750.
Hope this helps.
Duane
I did not see a budget mentioned. Is there one?
Sirius_one wrote:
My niece is getting her first DSLR and wondered if the Canon D70 with 4-5.6 55-250 lens or a Nikon 4-5.6 55-300 would be a better camera for wildlife photography and for a DSLR beginner.
For all of you who seem intent on answering some inquiry other than the one submitted, please take your ADHD mediation and attempt to focus. The answer is obvious because the OP neglected to include the Nikon model.
Jim Bob wrote:
For all of you who seem intent on answering some inquiry other than the one submitted, please take your ADHD mediation and attempt to focus. The answer is obvious because the OP neglected to include the Nikon model.
Please re-read the OP's original posting. You will see Nikon being mentioned. I read that as being the body as well as the lens. Others may have read that in similar fashion. Could the OP have omitted the model of the body erroneously? Does this kind of thing really bother you that much to have to make such caustic remarks? Take a chill pill!
RKL349 wrote:
Please re-read the OP's original posting. You will see Nikon being mentioned. I read that as being the body as well as the lens. Others may have read that in similar fashion. Could the OP have omitted the model of the body erroneously? Does this kind of thing really bother you that much to have to make such caustic remarks? Take a chill pill!
RKL, please note the commenter did not provide the "obvious" answer. I dont think a chill pill will help at all. Not even several. Is there an anti-troll pill?
:roll:
Get a 7D referb and a 70-300IS lens. She will be very satisfied with the results for under 1300.00
LOL...I like my D70!! 'Course if I was in a $$ upgrade position...
Sirius_one wrote:
My niece is getting her first DSLR and wondered if the Canon D70 with 4-5.6 55-250 lens or a Nikon 4-5.6 55-300 would be a better camera for wildlife photography and for a DSLR beginner.
I go with either a Canon or Nikon. I am not so hot about the lens. I would not touch a bridge camera. She is young and carrying a larger DSLR is not problem, and would get better results in low light and likely other situations.
The Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS is a very nice wildlife lens for a beginner. My only gripe is that you have to slide a switch to go to manual focus. More modern lenses allow focus override by just focusing with the focus ring. The 70-300 is much better built than the 55-250. The comparable 70-300"L" would be better, but pricey. Beware of the cheaper Canon 75-300.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
I would tell her to handle the Nikon and Canon in a camera store. Ask the salesman how each works, and purchase the one that feels the best to her and she feels is easier for her to handle. Nikon and Canon cameras at each price point are similar enough in quality that the brand will not matter. She can also purchase equal quality lenses for each camera.
She is going to spend, for her, a significant amount of money. She should spend it on something she will be comfortable carrying around and using on a regular basis.
SharpShooter wrote:
Sirius, I would get the 70d, it's newer tech.
Ultimately Canon's make better wildlife cameras unless you spend a lot more money of course. As she gets more and more into wildlife the advantages start to get more pronounced.
Maybe you or her parents could help her out a little and get her into a 7dmkll.
But a used 7d with a better lens might be a better way to go at this point in her career. :thumbup:
SS
I have to agree on a 7D. A great camera at a low price, more features than she can handle as a beginner. Spend the extra on a decent "L" lens such as a 24-105mm or a 70-200mm lens. Either of these lenses will easily move with her no matter what she decides to do in the future.
Jim D
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