• Members 1 post
    April 21, 2023, 1:10 p.m.

    Hello!

    I'm looking to get my wife an "ok" setup for bird photography. My budget is approx. $1000-$1200-ish...

    I'd consider anything in that range, but I'd prefer something compatible with Nikon F Mount, since I have a D5100 (with Nikon DX 55-300mm), so would be nice if our lenses were compatible.

    So, I guess a used or new body, and a lens... She wants more zoom than my 300mm. Not sure if that's possible to get decent quality in my price range. ..maybe something in Tamron/Sigma/etc?

    Thanks!

  • Members 535 posts
    April 21, 2023, 1:41 p.m.

    Z30 + FTZ here
    I've got the AF-P ff 70-300 5.6E and that means 150-450 for me.
    While it's nice with a shooting weight of 1350gr, it's still short.

    I'm currently thinking to add an (850€ Mint) Sigma 150-600 F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
    - the new version "C" with a shooting weight of 2450gr and a 900mm reach.

    It's reconisable by the terminal's shape 2023-04-21 15 38 13.jpg

    and eventually add a (200€ Mint) Sigma TELECONVERTER TC-1401.

    I have no idea if the TC-1401 is compatible with the AF-P 70-300 and/or with the FTZII
    ( adding 200gr and giving me 600mm effective on the 70-300)
    it would maybe a better option to start with, being also a lighter option.

    So I'm interested in what you get as a suggestion from more experienced users.

    Another choice for me is the Nikon TC-17E II >450mm >> 750mm
    - but again no idea if compatible with the AF-P 70-300

    ( I cannot walk a lot - I cannot wield too much - big issue )

    2023-04-21 15 38 13.jpg

    JPG, 40.4 KB, uploaded by AlainCh2 on April 21, 2023.

  • Members 137 posts
    April 21, 2023, 1:48 p.m.

    I use the 200-500 f/5.6 Nikon lens. It's very heavy, so for prolonged use I have a monopod. I also have the 70-300 AF-P DX lens which is good, light and cheap, while the 70-300 AF-P FX lens is more expensive, faster and slightly better. Cheap, long, good, fast and light are not easily combined in telelenses.

    PS, for a camera I'd get a D7200 as the focusing is pretty good (better than the D5xxx but not as good as the D500); should be able to find one second hand at a reasonable price.

  • Members 20 posts
    April 21, 2023, 9:38 p.m.

    Looks like you could get a lightly used (less than 30K shutter count) and a Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD lens in "Like New" condition at MPB for less than $1,200.

  • Members 65 posts
    April 22, 2023, 6:05 a.m.

    Part of a front runner from Nikon is a second hand 200-500 - remarkable value for the optical performance despite this lens being big with relatively slow AF

  • Members 20 posts
    April 22, 2023, 10:48 p.m.

    As Flashlight mentioned, it's "very heavy", just a bit over 5 pounds without any sort of mounting collar attached.

  • Members 14 posts
    April 22, 2023, 11:48 p.m.

    Yep - that 200-500 is a beast of a lens when it comes to weight especially if you compare it to a 75-300 or almost any zoom that is smaller in the consumer-grade product line.

  • Members 137 posts
    April 23, 2023, 12:24 a.m.

    I had that TC; with a 70-200 f/4 it sort of worked although the AF was finicky. With the f/5.6 of the 200-500 AF was useless even for static subjects. So if it fits on the AF-P 70-300E f/5.6 (I don't know) you can forget decent AF for birding.

  • Members 535 posts
    April 23, 2023, 1:15 p.m.

    Thanks for the useful feedback.

    (One idea less to worry about )

    PS: I've found a kit TC-1401 + Sigma 150-600 C for <850€> from a shop.

    I'm very tempted by the <650€> for the lens alone