D.Hayden Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I finally bought a Digital SLR - a Nikon 7000. Came with a 18-200mm lens, which is great for most things But, being an easy drive in Yellowstone National Park, I'd like to get a higher magnification lens for it, hopefully without breaking the bank, to get better shots of wildlife - usually not moving quickly, so F-stop speed isn't critical, and I can use a tripod most of the time There's a Tamron 200-500 that gets decent reviews for around $900 Any other suggestions, etc? If it matters, I'll be using this in winter as well.. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03k64 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Have you thought about a teleconverter? You'll lose a couple of stops but it's a cheap way to add some reach to your lens. You might also want to rent something if it's for a one time photo session or if you want to try out a lens before spending the big bucks. http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/supertelephoto/nikon-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6-ed-af-vr http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/nikon/lenses/telephoto/sigma-50-500mm-f4.5-6.3-hsm-os-for-nikon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin garcia Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 just rent a lens. several online shops you can google. buy insurance for peace of mind, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 I live so close to Yellowstone - this is a common thing for me.. definetly buying.. I'll have to check out the converters.. thanks for the idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieF Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Just an FYI With converters it will usually slow the auto focus quite a bit. Im not sure about Nikon, but with Canon the converters only work with certain lenses. It will also only keep AF with the higher end bodies. example : With a Canon 60D(prosumer body) you can not autofocus with a 400 F/5.6 and 1.4x converter, but you can if you use a 1D(pro body)series camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 Seems like they work with the 7000.. there's people saying they dont work with 3100s and a few others - thanks for the tip Still looking at lenses... either a fixed 400-500 or a large zoom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzShooter Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The converters work with the 7000 but not with that lens. You's need to buy a different lense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Essentially what it boils down to for autofocus is that the AF sensors require a certain level of brightness to be able to differentiate between two contrasting tones.... How much brightness the AF sensor sees is dependent on the "effective maximum aperture" of the lens -- that would be your lowest f/stop number, i.e. 2.8 or 4 or 5.6. Adding a converter will take away one or two effective F-stops, so a f/2.8 lens with a 1.4x converter attached becomes an effective f/4.0 lens, and with a 2x attached it becomes an effective f/5.6 So, for this to work, you need a match between body, lens and converter.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKSNIPER Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The converter may also disable/affect the image stabilization feature of the original lens. But only if you don't add the extra jiggawatts of power....then you'll be ok. JK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 12, 2011 Author Share Posted November 12, 2011 I think I'll skip the converter and stay with lenses.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 I think sigma has it going on with large zooms right now...I guess you are over the sticker shock of large primes? lens rental is a pretty good option just to confirm the focal lengths/features you want prior to buying. Not sure about Nikon stuff but Canon primes at 400 or 500mm can $4000+ used - and don't forget a monopod. <just reread OP not wanting to break bank> You will need faster glass (lower f-stop) than you expect unless the animals are all always standing in the open with full sun. check out www.fredmiranda.com and look in the buy/sell section for really good deals on used equip too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549248-REG/Sigma_728306_120_400mm_f_4_5_5_6_DG_OS.html not super fast but not bad and quite a range for a crop sensor camera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 12, 2011 Author Share Posted November 12, 2011 http://www.bhphotovi..._5_6_DG_OS.html not super fast but not bad and quite a range for a crop sensor camera I was looking at that one too.. and the larger Sigma 150-500 - for $70 more http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549256-REG/Sigma_737306_150_500mm_f_5_6_3_DG_OS.html Yellowstone may be unique.. Animals don't hide much.. full sun is more the norm. And with the snow on the ground.. lots and lots of light.. I'll have to practice with that a bit (but just use snow scene mode until I figure it out) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JQ- Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 Take this 24 hour free training session from Kelby training. Their videos are very informative and cover all aspects of photography including some specific bodies (i think the 7000) covered. They also have classes for the very experienced as well. I watch them quite a bit as there is always something to learn...or alt way to try. And for $200/year you can watch as much as you can stand as often as you like. Best $200 I've spent ever... http://kelbytraining.com/online/freetrial Then you won't have to use any scene modes. FWIW, I usually shoot everything in Av mode - KISS. It really isn't that hard and you'll get better pics because the camera's brain doesn't know what you really want to show and how. Also you have to post pics when you get back with the new lens. ..not associated with kelby just happy customer... 150-500 would be cool for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieF Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Dave, For which ever lens you get, I'd recommend a circular polarizer. Shooting outside especially with snow and water it will help with reducing unwanted glare. It will also help giving skies and clouds alot better contrast and pop in the picture. Also look into a monopod instead of a tripod for subjects that will move. Plus alot easier to setup and faster to get ready for certain situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Following up.. Any recommendations for Circular Polarizers? A little sticker shock when I see they're over $110 for a 86mm lens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieF Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Following up.. Any recommendations for Circular Polarizers? A little sticker shock when I see they're over $110 for a 86mm lens I've always had good luck with Hoya or B+W. Hoya 86mm Circular Polarizer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Ouch! $170! lol Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 86mm? What kind of monster are you polarizing? And that would be a normal price. I just paid $60 for a mere 72mm polarizing filter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Patrick,, for a Tamron 200-500mm... Really just for wildlfe shots in Yellowstone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 B+W Kaesemann Circular and don't look back... unless you want to spend a little more and go with a Heliopan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieF Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) For outdoor stuff, I never take off my Circ Pol. Worth it! Edited November 30, 2011 by OzzieF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 B+W Kaesemann Circular and don't look back... unless you want to spend a little more and go with a Heliopan. LOL! Norbert you're killing me! That one's $570 in 86mm (at least at Amazon - i think they're wacked out) At BH.. more reasonable http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Circular+Sizes_86mm&Ntt=B%2BW+Kaesemann+Circular&N=4294955262 So.. another newbie question.. which one of the 4? Ozzie - very nice El Cap picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I would say the first one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Thanks man! Looking at the descriptions again.. that makes sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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