D200 vs a new Big Lens (1 Viewer)

[D50birdshooter]

Hello all i have a dellema my choices are: switching over to canon and getting the 30D with a 400mm F5.6 prime, getting a nikon D200, or getting a zoom 500mm lens for my nikon D50 any advice. The lenses i am looking at are the Sigma 170-500mm, sigma 50-500mm, tamron 200-500mm i am not going to use a 300mm F4 with a TC i already have a 70-30mm and i need a better lens and my budget is only 1,000 american dollars HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!

 

[Neil]

You'd be pushing your budget to do the canon switch. I would go with the Tamron 200-500mm lens now and then upgrade your body to the D300 at a later stage. The D300 and the Tamron would be an awesome combo. Neil.

 

[pduxon]

firstly a new camera won't give you more reach whether thats Canon or Nikon.

I'd consider looking at the new 120-400 and 150-500 as both have Optical Satbilisation. UK prices have them as comparable to the Tamron (which is a good lens). Amazon have the 120-400 at $850

My two caveats they are much heavier and no one knows what they are like optically. but worth investigating given Sigmas reputation.

 

[Daveash]

I agree with Neil. Forget the D200, upgrade to a Tamron 200 to 500 and then get a D300 later. I have a D70 and D200. In my opinion the D70 matches the Tamron better than the D200. I was disappointed when I bought the D200 and have made many criticisms of it much to the fury of the many hardened Nikon enthusiasts on this site. However when you read the reviews of the D300 and the comparisons made with the D200 my comments were truly justified. The Tamron 200 does not perform too well in poor light and the D200 gives a noisy image at anything higher than ISO 800 so the match is not too good unless you have good light. The D300 however cures this problem together many other things. The Tamron is a good lens but be prepared to accept slow focus and inferior results in poor light but for the money I have been very happy with it. I'm sure I'll also be very happy when I get my new D300.

 

[DOC]

I had the D70+ Tamron 200-500 combo - it was a perfect match with outstanding results .
I now have got the D300 and still use the Tamron 200-500 . Biggest improvement is the ability to shoot in low light with high iso and enjoy noise free photos .
But I find the D300 to be overqualified for the Tamron . The D300 capabilties are way beyond what the Tamron can supply . The amazing autofocus tracking demands a fast lens with at least HSM - which the Tamron lacks .
But - still - the Tamron is one great lens . And it's the best bargain for the money .

 

[Daveash]

Given good light the Tamron 200-500 performs quite well. Attached are a couple of images I shot at the weekend with the D200. They have been sharpened etc in NX.

 

[ruchai]

Nikon 80-400VR with your D50, later if you want to spend more upgrade to D300. All these pictures were taken with D50 and 80-400VR.

 

[Telecorder]

Hello all i have a dellema my choices are: switching over to canon and getting the 30D with a 400mm F5.6 prime, getting a nikon D200, or getting a zoom 500mm lens for my nikon D50 any advice. The lenses i am looking at are the Sigma 170-500mm, sigma 50-500mm, tamron 200-500mm i am not going to use a 300mm F4 with a TC i already have a 70-30mm and i need a better lens and my budget is only 1,000 american dollars HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!

From my perspective, a good lens for your D50 would be the way to go. Others have mentioned the issues/costs of changing bodies (whether it be for C or N) - good glass will always have a place on newer - upgraded bodies.

Of the three lenses you've mentioned, the 170-500 is low on the pole as its reputed to be a big hit or miss on getting good copies. For me, the Bigma is the best bang for the buck with my D50. Its HSM and AF capabilities as well as its 10X zoom affords me a great all-in-one wild life lens that the Tamron 200-500 lacks.

At the same time, the Tamron has its proponents as does the 300 f/4 + TC (there's a world of difference between any 70-300 and the 300 f/4). I posted an extensive list of review URL links on long lens alternatives that might be of interest at--
http://www.dslrgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2726#post2726

You might also want to wait & see what the IQ of the new Sigmas (120-400 & 150-500) turn out to have with their OS/HSM. If they have equal or better IQ than the Bigma, they'll be in hot demand. The posted MTF of the 120-400 seems to bode well but there's only one posting of images from the Canon-mount version lens that are seemingly lacking in objectivity...

MTF Chart
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=27741691
User 120-400 images
http://inou164.exblog.jp/7951935/

 

[Gaz Shilton]

I had the D70+ Tamron 200-500 combo - it was a perfect match with outstanding results .
I now have got the D300 and still use the Tamron 200-500 . Biggest improvement is the ability to shoot in low light with high iso and enjoy noise free photos .
But I find the D300 to be overqualified for the Tamron . The D300 capabilties are way beyond what the Tamron can supply . The amazing autofocus tracking demands a fast lens with at least HSM - which the Tamron lacks .
But - still - the Tamron is one great lens . And it's the best bargain for the money .

I have to agree. The Tamron is a good lens (when used in good light, hard to come by in the UK I know).
At the moment I am saving up for a D300 + Sigma 500mm f4.5.

 

[jezella]

I am newish to both digital and birding. I bought the D200 a year ago and must say that it's fantastic. At the same time I bought the Nikon 17-55 lens, very nice indeed but no good for birding, obvious. I then purchased the Nikon 70-200, a fantastic lens but now I seek more reach.

So, to my view. If you are really into birding, go for the lens. I spent nine month wanting a bigger lens, the 70-200 and this put my photographing of birds on hold.

Now I want even more reach so am considering either a TC 1.4 or TC 1.7 for the 70-200. I am even considering the Nikon 300 f/4 AFS.

Hope this helps.

 

[rikinshah]

Sigma APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS, Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Which of this two lenses go well with bird photography with Nikon D200?

 

[Telecorder]

Hard call

Sigma APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS, Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Which of this two lenses go well with bird photography with Nikon D200?

The 80-400 is a somewhat proven lens but has an issue with AF speed that may be frustrating on in-flight subjects.

The 150-500 is new and seemingly may suffer from the knock its cousin, the 170-500 system has... hard to ensure obtaining a good copy.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=358
http://www.birdingworld.co.uk/Sigma Photos.htm
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/bigmos

Nikon and Sigma 80-400mm Stabilized Lenses
http://bonus.ppmag.com/2005/12/nikon_and_sigma.html
Nikon 80-400/4.5-5.6 D ED AF VR
http://www.bythom.com/80400VRlens.htm
http://www.naturfotograf.com/VR80_400_review.html
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/1612.htm
http://shutterbug.com/test_reports/0801sb_afvr/
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resour...400/index.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/80400vr.htm
http://www.imagepower.de/IMAGES/imgE...NT/AF80400.htm
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0101/cameracorner.htm
http://www.apogeephoto.com/may2001/g...brations.shtml
http://kenmcvayphoto.clymbers.com/articles/nikonvr.html
http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?...article_id=279
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...4556/index.htm
http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/...fm?test_id=445
http://digiscopingukbirds.homestead....kon80-400.html
http://bonus.ppmag.com/2005/12/nikon_and_sigma.html
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Photo-L...tk_~PR004.1.76
http://www.photographyreview.com/PRD_84725_3128crx.aspx
http://www.sportsshooter.com/gear_profile.html?id=90
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showp.../cat/13/page/1
http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/...00_TC_14A.html

Note--
For the broken links on the 80-400 above, try the full links at--
http://www.dslrgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2726#post2726

Me--> I'm sticking with my non-DG Bigma

 

[pduxon]

may be worth waiting until the end of sept to see what photokina 2008 brings.

 

[ruchai]

You do not need those expensive cameras and lenses to take good birds photographs.
This picture was taken with a Sony DSC-V1 point and shoot with 34-136mm lens. http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/30349/cat/500/ppuser/13088
My favorit camera for birding is now Canon G9 point and shoot.

 

[Neil]

You do not need those expensive cameras and lenses to take good birds photographs.
This picture was taken with a Sony DSC-V1 point and shoot with 34-136mm lens. http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/30349/cat/500/ppuser/13088
My favorit camera for birding is now Canon G9 point and shoot.

Ruchai,
I don't want to nitpick on this but because you only had a 136mm long lens you had to get too close to this bird and it's flown off away from you. Good bird images should have the bird coming towards the camera or at least parallel with the frame. The 1/500 sec shutter speed was not fast enough to freeze the action and the AF has not locked on because the bird was moving too fast so the image is soft. It's also overexposure about 1 stop.
The problem with short zooms is that you have to move in too close (yours is a big bird and you still had to get close ) into the birds "comfort zone" and therefore end up disturbing the birds.
The advantage of digiscoping or using a 500/600 mm lens is that you can be
far enough away as to not disturb the birds going about their daily routine.
The G9 won't help here unless you are shooting from a hide with birds coming to feeders and can manually set the focus. I have an A650 (6x zoom ) and it's too short and the shutter reaction is too slow for bird photography unless you're photographing pigeons in the park .
Just my two cents worth, Neil.

 

[ruchai]

Neil;
Agree with your coment. What I tried to say is that practice is more important than expensive equipments. The bird was taken when I went out with a friend who came to visit us. We live near the reservoir so we went out by bicycles, he had with him a D100 and several lenses. I only had the p&s camera. When he settingup his gears the bird flew away and I took my camera and took the picture. If I went out with my dslr and tripod I would also had missed the shot. I noted that you also used all kinds of equipments for your bird photography. I enjoy taking pictures and like to try all kinds of equipment. I am retired and living near forest reserve where all kind of wildlives come to visit us in our garden. It's less pain hanging a G9 on my neck. I sometimes use video camera to shoot still pictures of birds. http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/30412/ppuser/13088

 

[Neil]

Neil;
Agree with your coment. What I tried to say is that practice is more important than expensive equipments. The bird was taken when I went out with a friend who came to visit us. We live near the reservoir so we went out by bicycles, he had with him a D100 and several lenses. I only had the p&s camera. When he settingup his gears the bird flew away and I took my camera and took the picture. If I went out with my dslr and tripod I would also had missed the shot. I noted that you also used all kinds of equipments for your bird photography. I enjoy taking pictures and like to try all kinds of equipment. I am retired and living near forest reserve where all kind of wildlives come to visit us in our garden. It's less pain hanging a G9 on my neck. I sometimes use video camera to shoot still pictures of birds. http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/30412/ppuser/13088

Ruchai,
I'm not sure what your point is here. I just looked at your gallery and you have some wonderful bird photos there , all taken with the 80 - 400 zoom on your D200. This is a great walk around lens. Why would you give this up to use a G9? Where are the G9 images?
When I walk around to photograph birds I carry a 300/4 plus 1.4x tele as well as my digiscoping gear. I very rarely use a tripod for this ( only 10 % of the time ) when sitting down for long periods of time by a waterhole.
Don't give up on the 80 -400 zoom and if you want better quality , upgrade the D200 to the D300, and if you want better quality again upgrade to zoom to the 300/4 AFS plus 1.4x.
Keep posting your wonderful birds with the 80-400, Neil.

 

[ruchai]

Don't give up on the 80 -400 zoom and if you want better quality , upgrade the D200 to the D300, and if you want better quality again upgrade to zoom to the 300/4 AFS plus 1.4x.

My problem with D200 plus 80-400VR is not with quality. It's the 2,300 grams weight of the combination. Upgrade to D300 will save 5 grams which not worth the trouble. Switch from 80-400VR to 300F4 plus 1.4x will add 280 grams which is more than I can accept.

Canon G9 weigh 320 grams saved me nearly 2 kgs! A big upgrade to me. I still love my D200 and 80-400VR. After the rainy seson when those visitors arive from the north I shall set it up on the tripod in our garden waiting for those birds. But for happily walking in the garden it will be Canon G9.

 

[rdspalm]

I have a Nikon D200 and a Sigma 180 -500 APO lens. I would really love a D700 and am enjoying the almost weekly fall in price. Currently. £1604

The same question follows do I buy a D700 or save up for a good Nikon lens (AFSII 500mm) Which would contribute more to better bird photos? Doe anyone have first hand experience of this 500mm lens?

Richard

 

[pduxon]

I have a Nikon D200 and a Sigma 180 -500 APO lens. I would really love a D700 and am enjoying the almost weekly fall in price. Currently. £1604

The same question follows do I buy a D700 or save up for a good Nikon lens (AFSII 500mm) Which would contribute more to better bird photos? Doe anyone have first hand experience of this 500mm lens?

Richard

I suspect that the general answer is that good glass will outlast a good camera. it certainly should be a greater % of your kit than the camera.