Photos D-300+200-400mm lens

[redtail7]

Here is a site I found on dpreview of a fellow photographer using a D-300 and a 200-400mm f4 Ed VR telephoto lens. If anyone cares to have a look I would be interested in your expert opinion of the wildlife shots. I'm new to this and I know there are better eyes out there than mine when it comes to analysing a photo. I am seriously looking at getting this set-up.
Note- I believe he is using a 1.7 TC.
Thanks for your time and opinion
Redtail7

http://www.pbase.com/raymondjbarlow/d300_shots

[Outboard]

I've seen better pictures ........................... but not many. Considering the amount of time the D300 has been available he has accumulated a very nice series of shots. If you look at the exif you will see he is not using the TC 1.7 very much, not on the ones I looked at anyway. The D300 and 200-400VR is a very nice combination, I should know it's what I have. A 500VR would be better for birds but a) they are not available yet, b) the are even more expensive than the 200-400VR and c) it's not so good for larger birds or animals closer in.

[Telecorder]

...exceptional wild life photogs around and has been for quite some time.

[QUOTE=redtail7;1108504]Here is a site I found on dpreview of a fellow photographer using a D-300 and a 200-400mm f4 Ed VR telephoto lens. If anyone cares to have a look I would be interested in your expert opinion of the wildlife shots. I'm new to this and I know there are better eyes out there than mine when it comes to analysing a photo. I am seriously looking at getting this set-up.
Note- I believe he is using a 1.7 TC.
Thanks for your time and opinion
Redtail7[QUOTE]

The D300, by many, many accounts, is an exceptional system with great high ISO capabilities that allow for much faster shutter speeds. Likewise, its been reported that the D300 seems to bring new life to older, slower lenses that are somewhat problematic on older bodies.

Use of TC's, by and large, should be avoided whenever possible

Raymond has developed excellent techniques and is experienced enough to bring out the best in his equipment. While just having the same equipment won't make your images as good as his usually are all of the time, the D300 and quality glass seems to be the new 'standard' to be desired, IMHO...

[Vectis Birder]

Awesome, absolutely awesome. I love the American Kestrel pics, very sharp and clear pics of a pretty bird.
The high ISO capabilities of the D300 is the main reason, I think, that it'll be in demand. That's the main reason I want one because I often get frustrated at not being able to get decent shutter speeds in low light with my D80 because turning up the ISO means noise.

[Neil]

You can see by the detail in his photos and his iso that he is shooting in very good light. The lens is very good. He is using it to it's best advantage with subjects coming towards the camera. Photographing mallards landing is pretty easy stuff at your local park ( just throw some bread in the water ) and you can see that he is not displaying ducks fleeing from a Peregrine. The 200 - 400 will be a bit slower than a prime lens for fast action.
I would like the zoom for egrets/herons flying close and interacting with each other where you need plenty of room.
The quality of the Nikon 1.7x is not good enough unless the light is very good and slows the AF down unless you're on a 2.8 lens. I find the 1.4x on the 300/f4 AFS to be a good match and it's even faster on the 300/2.8 AFS VR.
Neil.

[redtail7]

Hi
I just made my new purchase of camera and lens. When I went to the shop and saw the physical size of the 200-400mm VR lens I was shocked, I passed for now on this lens because I was looking more for a walkabout lens and this thing was just to massive and heavy.

I purchased the D-300 camera body
18-200mm VR f5.6 lens
70-200mm VR f2.8 lens
SB-600 flash
Nikon TC2 tele-converter
LowPro compu-treker camera bag
Two UV filters
Two 1gig memory cards

I will now wait for some bigger or better zoom lens with VR or OS to come on the market. I may also wait, maybe a long time for a budget wise prime lens with a good long focal range.
I'm going to use the 18-200mm as a general lens for family function and the sort.
I will use the 80-200 with the 2X converter for birds and just the lens for use in thick bush where there is low light.
Any comments are welcome good or bad I wont be offended.
Redtail7

[Neil]

Hi
I just made my new purchase of camera and lens. When I went to the shop and saw the physical size of the 200-400mm VR lens I was shocked,........
Redtail7
Well done. I think you'll find the 1 gig cards won't last long unless you only shoot JPEGS. I have 2 x 8 gig cards in my D3 and most days I'm onto the second card.
You may be disappointed with the Nikon 2x. You may find the camera hunting a bit in low light.
I wish I had the 70 - 200/2.8 as many think it's Nikon's best lens.
Get out and give it a go and post some photos soon , Neil.

[redtail7]

Yes I will only be using these cards for J-peg. I will be keeping my eye open for 4 or 8 gig cards on sale from some of the big box stores, because I have never shot RAW and all the sales people seem shocked that I buy such a good camera and not shoot RAW, so I will try it this spring or summer.

Redtail7

[pe'rigin]

Retail,

Good choice with the kit, you'll love the 70-200mm on the D300, if you can shoot raw then convert, you can then set your colours more accurately. I'm very envious.

Can I ask whether you got a deal on buying so much kit?

[redtail7]

The camera kit was purchased through my insurance claim after the theft of my D50 kit. They gave the insurance company a 10% discount on the new kit but only paid me the replacement value of the D50 kit, I had to make up the difference. The camera shop I deal with has Nikon sales about twice a year, at Christmas and in the summer at which time they only discount normal stock by 10% also. This shop sells online at www.mcbaincamera.com

Redtail7