Nikon camera purchase suggestions for birding? I’m a beginning bird photographer using an old Nikon D40x camera. I just treated myself to a new AF-S NIKKOR VR 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED lens...

Swifti

I’m a beginning bird photographer using an old Nikon D40x camera. I just treated myself to a new AF-S NIKKOR VR 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED lens, though, thanks to a Black Friday special! This lens, needless to say, now out classes my camera; so my next investment will be a better camera body. Can anyone suggest a good Nikon full body model for bird and wildlife photography? Probably won’t upgrade until next year’s super sale, but want to know what to be on the lookout for!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Swifti wrote:

I’m a beginning bird photographer using an old Nikon D40x camera. I just treated myself to a new AF-S NIKKOR VR 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED lens, though, thanks to a Black Friday special! This lens, needless to say, now out classes my camera; so my next investment will be a better camera body. Can anyone suggest a good Nikon full body model for bird and wildlife photography? Probably won’t upgrade until next year’s super sale, but want to know what to be on the lookout for!

D500 if its still available next year. I'm assuming you are referring to size of the camera and not the sensor.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

A lot of the bird photographers actually use the Nikon D500 but it is not a full frame camera.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Golden Rule wrote:

A lot of the bird photographers actually use the Nikon D500 but it is not a full frame camera.

APSC is actually an advantage for birding and wildlife - the 200-500 will be like a 300-750 on a FF body FOV without cropping; the D500 is an excellent choice for birding and wildlife; 2nd best D7100/7200; FF not needed.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

D850.

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

Swifti wrote:

I’m a beginning bird photographer using an old Nikon D40x camera. I just treated myself to a new AF-S NIKKOR VR 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED lens, though, thanks to a Black Friday special! This lens, needless to say, now out classes my camera; so my next investment will be a better camera body. Can anyone suggest a good Nikon full body model for bird and wildlife photography? Probably won’t upgrade until next year’s super sale, but want to know what to be on the lookout for!

D750, or a used D810. Crop sensor cameras do not do well at high ISO and poor light.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

I have two friends who are really into bird photography. They both like the D500 and a long lens.

vickiejrimes

I do a lot of birds, I just sold my Canon 80d and lenses in turn to buy the Nikon D7500 with 18-300 rv lens along with the 200-500. I couldn’t be more pleased. With a few in camera tuning to sharpness and clarity, I get amazing clear photos. It is built after the D500 but more in my budget. I’m a 360 member with Admorama so I get a year spills a drop warranty along with the 90 day, I bought refurbished for $899 on the camera, its an American model not grey market.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

While a few still embrace FF, DX is the way to go for birding.

Bill_de Loc: US

The D500 with the 200-500 has become a very popular combination.

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Swifti wrote:

I’m a beginning bird photographer using an old Nikon D40x camera. I just treated myself to a new AF-S NIKKOR VR 200-500mm 1:5.6E ED lens, though, thanks to a Black Friday special! This lens, needless to say, now out classes my camera; so my next investment will be a better camera body. Can anyone suggest a good Nikon full body model for bird and wildlife photography? Probably won’t upgrade until next year’s super sale, but want to know what to be on the lookout for!

Nikon DSLR 500

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

I use either my D7100 or my D7200 and my Sigma 150-600mm "C" zoom lens..both work very well with high ISOs and poor light...the added advantage of the APS-S sensor is the 900mm equivalent...

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Gene51 wrote:

D750, or a used D810. Crop sensor cameras do not do well at high ISO and poor light.

Except if you have a D7200 or D500 ;) but most birding is done at ISO 1600 max in reasonable daylight/overcast, often at ISO 1200 or less...these cameras can easily handle that....we're not talking shooting birds in a church or under deeply shaded bushes, but if you are, yes go FF (ISO 3200+). You can always reduce the noise in post.

All shots taken with a Tammy 150-600 G2, except last one Tammy 90mm macro - a lens not normally associated with "birding" - but it is cropped to 2905 x 1930. Also all shots are handheld (I hate tripods) with moderate post processing from RAW.

ISO 2550, f/8, 1/1250 380mm
ISO 2550, f/8, 1/1250 380mm...

(Download)

ISO 180, f/9, 1/1000, 600mm
ISO 180, f/9, 1/1000, 600mm...

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ISO 450, f/9, 1/250, 400mm
ISO 450, f/9, 1/250, 400mm...

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ISO 160, f/9, 1/250, 90mm cropped

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a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I have no argument with any of the above as it applies to quality cameras. I just want to point out that "birding" and photographing birds can differ. As you may have noticed, many birders carry powerful binoculars or even spotting scopes. In other words, there is no substitute for a long or longer lens.

My wife is a birder who wants to bring home pictures of the birds for lookup and identification. That's the primary purpose for her. For that, you can't beat the Nikon Coolpix P900 or P1000. They are not going to give you prize-winning art but they will get you frame-filling shots of birds that are simply not possible with the higher IQ tools.

Just to make a point, though, about those tiny sensors, here are two shots I took with my pocket camera, a Sony HX50v which has the same size sensor as the Coolpix P900/P1000 and is no better than they are for IQ. These are as-shot JPG's.

The "equivalent" focus length of the Sony is up to 720 mm. The P900 is up to 2000 and the P1000 is up to 3000.

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Swifti

Thanks all for your input! Lots of good information and looks like a few good choices here. I got into photography by way of using reference photos for painting. I love painting birds, and decided to take my own reference photos rather than rely on others. As a6k mentions, yes birding and bird photography can be different; as a painter, I guess I lean more towards bird photography, wanting crisp, detailed images. Based on the comments here, though, I will definitely do more research on the D500 and the D7100/7200/7500.