farleymr wrote:
I'm getting ready to retire and very interested in wildlife photography. Would like to know some classes that would be beneficial as well as type dslr and lenses that would optimize my experiences.
Classes - you might want to check out your local photo club. Not expensive to join, lots of people who do what you are looking to do and happy to share. There are courses online, Moose Peterson has some videos on You tube, etc.
A great place to get practice is at the zoo. You'll get your best shots if you spend the time to observe the animal's habits. Next would be places that do wildlife rescue. There are also tracts of land set aside as wildlife refuges - and often have well-informed caretakers and rangers that will tell when and where to go for some good opportunities.
Your budget is important. You don't need big expensive fancy cameras and lenses, unless you want them. You don't even need a DSLR. Some of the newer mirrorless cameras match or exceed the performance of mid-range DSLRs. Look at the new Sony A6500.
Going with a point and shoot is not unheard of -
http://birding.com.co/birding-with-a-point-shoot-camera/An entry level DSLR can get decent pictures as well, and is only slightly more expensive than a top of the line point and shoot superzoom. I am most familiar with Nikon, so I will talk about them. Nikon's D3400, D5600 and D7200 are all good choices. With each increment in model number you get better autofocus, less dependency on menus to access camera settings, and a more solid built quality. Packages with a camera body and 2 basic zoom lenses start at around $550.
The next bump is into the $1500-$2000 realm. The D500 is a pro-level DSLR, still using a cropped sensor. It has been called a bird photographer's dream because of it's industry leading autofocus system, fast handling, hugh buffer for continuous shooting, and up to 11 frame per second burst rate for up to 200 images - for the spray and pray style shooter.
The next bump is going to take you over $2000 up to $6500, and all of these are full frame cameras.
Lenses are important, and here a cheap zoom is ok, but as most consumer oriented zooms go, they are weakest at the max zoom, and when used at maximum aperture. Beware of anyone suggesting that you buy a Nikkor 28-300 as a "do all" lens. It stops doing "all" around 150mm, and is pretty underwhelming up to 300. I would not take one even as a gift. Not a great use of your $$.
There are some good lenses, some of them no longer in production. I am partial to the Sigma 100-300 F4, or a 70-200 with a 1.4x extender for shorter lenses, and a 300mm F2.8 alone or used with a 1.4x or 2x extender for longer length. The 300mm will set you back $5500 for a new one, or between $2500 and $4000 for a nice clean used one. Another very good lens is their 200-400, not cheap but very sharp.
Another alternative that I like is the Sigma Sport 150-600. It is not a great lens for low light, but it is at the outside limit of portability. I use mine when I don't want to be bothered lugging around the 600mmF4 and it's tripod and head. I carry it on a sling-style strap attached to it's tripod collar and just walk around with it, ready to shot at a moment's notice.
If you go Canon, there are several outstanding glass options - the ones I mentioned above, (200 and 300mm F2.8, with a 1.4x tc) a 400 F5.6 and a 100-400 F4-5.6 - As always, with these longer lenses you will save considerably if you check out the refurbished and used markets.
Tripods are another big ticket item, and the one piece of advice is to avoid anything below $800 for a tripod and a gimbal head. It would be a false economy, and only add to the eventual purpose of something that will meet your needs. There are no "bargains" out there. The two best are Gitzo and Really Right Stuff, but there are some very good, less costly legs from Sirui, Benro, Feisol, Induro, and a few others.