Bit of an update. Got a new lens: AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR

[Skeeter Barnes]

I am surprised how close I had to get for decent bird shots. Still had to crop a whole lot to get a pic like this Eastern Bluebird.

[IMG]~original[/IMG] 1/1000 sec. f/6.3 300mm ISO 250

The auto focus is almost instant. Definitely faster than the DX 18-140 kit lens I have. It feels like it's as light or maybe even lighter.

In the little bit of experience I have so far, I'd say 300mm is just the beginning of the zoom range you will need for birds and perhaps other wildlife and that is with the crop sensor DX cameras! After I get the DX 16-80, I'd like to get the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR.

The birds are a blast to watch. If anybody has a critique or tips for me or wants to post their own pics, go ahead. I'd like to hear what you think and see your long zoom wildlife shots.

[mnhtnbb]

1. Wow! Great blue bird! How about a winter bird for the WINTER photo contest?

[Skeeter Barnes]

3. It has been spring here for a month. I will look for something to use in the contest though.

[alfredo]

2. I love the Eastern Bluebird. Good shot. This tool will help with long teles.

It's the Olympus EE-1 site



Calibrate and go.

[Skeeter Barnes]

4. I hadn't seen those before. Looks like a reflex sight for a rifle. Pretty cool.

[alfredo]

5. It's really good for Astro photography too

[ManiacJoe]

6. Your world may be getting much more expensive.

Yes, 300mm is just the beginning for bird photography, especially song birds.
Your next step involves 4-digit price tags.

If you are not a member at Nikonians.org, you need to sign up there.

[neeksgeek]

7. If you want more reach...

And are on a budget, *and* pretty good with manual focus, consider a 500mm (or longer) mirror/catadioptric lens. They aren't terribly easy to use since their maximum - indeed only - aperture is usually f/8, but they have reach, without the enormous cost of fast telephoto lenses.

The design is essentially the same as Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. With modern DSLR cameras, you can adjust your ISO as needed to deal with the lack of aperture adjustments and the need for a high shutter speed with really long lenses.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catadioptric_system#Photographic_catadioptric_lenses

[ManiacJoe]

8. Mirror lenses are fun, but

you need to work within their performance envelopes.

I have a Tamron 500mm f/8 cat lens from my film days. Rumor has it the Nikon ones are better.
Too light-weight to hand hold; I now need a tripod for it; there is no weight for any inertia to help hold it steady in my hands.
The donut-shaped highlights can be fun or be a pain in the @$$.

[neeksgeek]

9. Indeed, and I no longer own one.

But for inexpensive long lenses, there's nothing quite as compact and portable as a mirror lens. It was just a suggestion.