Hi all,
I have been thoroughly enjoying my Nikon D50 and Sigma 80-300mm APO DG Macro. The camera output is to my amateur eyes breathtaking. The lens seems to have its moments as well.
I wont to continue to expand my photographic capabilities. To this end, I have been thinking about buying a spotting scope or a better lens. I am currently stuck between the 2. I am hoping that some of the very helpful people on this board can help me with my thinking process.
What do I want to do:
Extend my photo range (like everyone else :bounce: ) I want to be able to get good clean images at say 50 meters. Most of these images would either be against blue sky or against water.
What am I considering:
Scope: Televue 60 or Pentax 65ed (leaning heavily towards the TV)
Lens: Sigma 100-300 f4, Sigma 80-400 or Bigma
Issues:
1) I know that none of the lens mentioned will be taking full-frame images at 50meters. A good lens I am hoping will help me to increase range a bit, but at the same time give me a little more consistency. I have already missed some excellent opportunities possibly because of the Sigma 80-300
2) I was really hoping to digiscope with the D50. However, I have been reading lately regarding issues with fstop when using a DSLR. If I am using 50mm 1.8 lens with a f6.0 scope (ie the TV60), what kind of total fstop would I be looking at? Would it suffice under the conditions mentioned above?
Summary, I want to digiscope with the D50, but if it is impractical, I will focus more on my DSLR photos for the next several months. I just want to understand what the digiscoping potential is for the D50. I also would like some feedback pertaining to lens and what of the 3 mentioned will deliver the sharpest 'potential'
As usual, thanks for the input
Scott
I have been thoroughly enjoying my Nikon D50 and Sigma 80-300mm APO DG Macro. The camera output is to my amateur eyes breathtaking. The lens seems to have its moments as well.
I wont to continue to expand my photographic capabilities. To this end, I have been thinking about buying a spotting scope or a better lens. I am currently stuck between the 2. I am hoping that some of the very helpful people on this board can help me with my thinking process.
What do I want to do:
Extend my photo range (like everyone else :bounce: ) I want to be able to get good clean images at say 50 meters. Most of these images would either be against blue sky or against water.
What am I considering:
Scope: Televue 60 or Pentax 65ed (leaning heavily towards the TV)
Lens: Sigma 100-300 f4, Sigma 80-400 or Bigma
Issues:
1) I know that none of the lens mentioned will be taking full-frame images at 50meters. A good lens I am hoping will help me to increase range a bit, but at the same time give me a little more consistency. I have already missed some excellent opportunities possibly because of the Sigma 80-300
2) I was really hoping to digiscope with the D50. However, I have been reading lately regarding issues with fstop when using a DSLR. If I am using 50mm 1.8 lens with a f6.0 scope (ie the TV60), what kind of total fstop would I be looking at? Would it suffice under the conditions mentioned above?
Summary, I want to digiscope with the D50, but if it is impractical, I will focus more on my DSLR photos for the next several months. I just want to understand what the digiscoping potential is for the D50. I also would like some feedback pertaining to lens and what of the 3 mentioned will deliver the sharpest 'potential'
As usual, thanks for the input
Scott