Lens Recommendation

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ilaab - 16 Sep 2006 04:00 GMT

I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
it sharp sharp sharp! I just sold off my D70S along with that less than
desirable 80-400mm VR and got a D200. I'm looking at the 300mm 2.8 with the
1.4x tc right now but that is not set in stone. What about the 200mm 2.0 VR
with either the 1.4x or 2x tc? Most of my imaging is done in the field off
handed so I rely a lot on VR. I had thought about the 200-400mm VR but I
want it a little faster than f/4 at 200mm. Confirmations/suggestions?

Ilaab

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Pete D - 16 Sep 2006 05:03 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Ilaab

Also look at the 70-200mm F2.8 with the 2x converter, a friend uses one with
a D2X.

http://www.macattack.com.au/

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Rita Ä Berkowitz - 16 Sep 2006 12:23 GMT

>> I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>> all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Also look at the 70-200mm F2.8 with the 2x converter, a friend uses
> one with a D2X.

The 70-200mm with the TC-20E II on the D2x produce some nice images for
birding, but are a bit on the soft side, relatively speaking. Some people
find their TC produces softness that is unacceptable while others have
relatively sharp results. Most of this is probably due to what sample TC
they get and/or a combination of technique used. That being said, I
wouldn't discount this combination since the 70-200mm is a very versatile
and great lens that you'll be using it for so many other areas of your
photography.

The 300mm f/2.8 is an awesome lens, but like anything else, is it the right
focal length lens at the very instance you are trying to get the shot?
Maybe it's too short or too long? There's no doubt that it will perform,
even with the 1.4x TC.

The 200mm f/2 is an exquisite lens that will yield some of the most stunning
bokeh you'll ever want to see and deliver some really sweet low ambient
light performance, especially for action and sports. This will definitely
be a "zoom with your feet" option if used exclusively for birding. No
problems handholding this one.

The 200-400mm is probably your best choice if you want the versatility of a
zoom leading up to the long end. Even at f/4 this lens will perform nicely
for you, plus it's a real bargain at under $5K.

The real issue here is you need to determine what lens or lenses will work
best for your shooting style. Are you constantly moving or are you sitting
all day waiting for the birds to come to you? How much crap and the weight
of it do you want to endure lugging around if you are constantly on the
move? Are you only ever written in stone going to be exclusively birding
and shooting nothing else? You'll have lots of questions you need to ask
yourself before you commit to any lens or you will be very disappointed.
Personally, I love the versatility of zooms, but on occasion will go out
with primes only since I love the challenge of the hunt getting that perfect
shot. It's all fun! Enjoy!

Rita

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ilaab - 17 Sep 2006 07:23 GMT

>>> I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>>> all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Maybe it's too short or too long? There's no doubt that it will perform,
> even with the 1.4x TC.

I'm pretty sure now that I will get the 300mm 2.8 VR. I will have to "zoom
with my feet" with it but it being the "awesome lens" that it is, it will
work for me. In the next month or two when my wife recovers from the shock
of the price of the new lens, I will get a 1.4x or a 1.7x TC. I thank all
posters responding to my request. The other recommendations are tempting
and would fill the bill but the combination of this lens being a tack sharp,
fast prime focus, super telephoto with VR as well as its other attributes,
will fit me better.

Ilaab

> The 200mm f/2 is an exquisite lens that will yield some of the most
> stunning
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Rita

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Steve Wolfe - 16 Sep 2006 06:11 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>VR but I want it a little faster than f/4 at 200mm.
>Confirmations/suggestions?

All of the bird folks say that you can never have enough focal length.
Unless you're different, go for the longest lens you can afford, *then*
think about teleconverters. As for shallow DOF, at the focal lengths most
birders use, that's not a problem.

steve

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Mark² - 16 Sep 2006 06:26 GMT

> I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
> all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> 200-400mm VR but I want it a little faster than f/4 at 200mm.
> Confirmations/suggestions?

Despite my recent VERY close encounter with the Hawk... 200mm seems awfully
short as a main birding lens...

Signature

Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson

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Tony Polson - 16 Sep 2006 11:02 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>handed so I rely a lot on VR. I had thought about the 200-400mm VR but I
>want it a little faster than f/4 at 200mm. Confirmations/suggestions?

There are very few people here with the knowledge and experience you
need. I suggest you find an online forum that specialises in nature
photography.

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Alan Browne - 16 Sep 2006 23:34 GMT

> There are very few people here with the knowledge and experience you
> need.

But if you want to photograph trains, please see Master Tony Polson's
work here:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?september98/09-24-98/d9000a.jpg
http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?september98/09-24-98/d9000b.jpg
http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?september98/09-24-98/d9000c.jpg

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Ed Ruf (REPLY to E-MAIL IN SIG!) - 16 Sep 2006 12:44 GMT

Can't know your specific situations, but 200mm sounds a bit short to me
having used the 70-200 f/2.8 VR on my D70 for years, eventually with the
TC-20E. I use the same combination on a D200 as well. Biggest effect of the
TC I've found is increased sluggishness in AF, even with the stellar 70-200
f/2.8. The D200 is a bit better than the D70, but the change is quite
noticeable.

I recently went through the same decision process regarding a longer lens,
weighing co$t, size, weight, light gathering power, etc and chose the
200-400 f/4 VR. It is a stellar performer. But until you really use any of
these beasts in the field you may not be prepared for how large a jump in
size and weight it is. I routinely walk my dog carrying the 70-200 f/2.8
and TC-20E on either camera and did 7-10 mile hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park
with this combo as well on the D70. Spent full days at the race track (VIR
and Laguna-Seca) hauling this combo around as well. The 200-400 is in a
whole other class when trying to do this. A day at VIR this summer proved
that.

You are going to have to weight the pros and cons of each for yourself. Be
sure to consider the usefulness of a zoom over a fixed fl lens as well in
some situations. Also, fwiw, I've found the 200-400mm f/4 + TC-20E AF works
pretty well on the D200. Close to how the 70-200 f/2.8 + TC-20E did on the
D70.
--
Ed Ruf (Usenet2@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
http://edwardgruf.com/Digital_Photography/General/index.html

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Rudy Benner - 16 Sep 2006 14:13 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Ilaab

I would be interested to hear what you found to be less than desirable with
the 80-400 lens.

I am currently using a 18-200 VR and would like more reach. This thread has
already provided valuable information.

r.

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ilaab - 16 Sep 2006 18:03 GMT

>>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> r.

This is short since I'm at work right now. From my experience using the
80-400mm VR on my D70S and now my D200, I found that it was slow to focus,
that is was loud while doing so, that it was not nearly as sharp as I would
like it to have been, it hunted a lot in situations where I believed it
shouldn't had, and I didn't like its low contrast. I have read other
posters here that say that they like the lens but I wouldn't recommend it to
anyone. As I have said, amateur wild bird photography is my all-consuming
hobby and I have "outgrown" the 80-400mm VR level of lens. Also, I'm more
technical as opposed to being artistic in my images and I think the 2.0 or
2.8 focal ratio will help me on that "artistic" side. Since I mostly shot
with that lens, I had to delete around 80-90% of my images due to poor
focus. I moved up to the D200 to see if I could get a little better
performance out of the lens due to the lower price of the camera as opposed
to a new 4k-5k lens but the performance was very similar.
Ilaab

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ilaab - 16 Sep 2006 18:03 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Ilaab

I thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I just don't have time
to digest the information on this short work break. I will get back to the
responses later today. Thanks again.

Ilaab

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Bill Crocker - 17 Sep 2006 01:01 GMT

>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Ilaab

Consider Nikon's 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom. On your D200 it will effectively be
equivalent to a 300mm. It's fast enough to allow faster shutter speeds,
which may eliminate the need for VR. I use one on my D200 and I'm very
satisfied with the results. You can buy them brand new for around $900.00,
and used ones are a real bargain if in good condition. They're built like a
tank too!

Bill Crocker

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ilaab - 17 Sep 2006 03:55 GMT

>>I want a fast fixed focal length telephoto Nikkor with VR for my
>>all-consuming hobby of wild bird imaging. I want shallow d.o.f. and I want
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Bill Crocker

The price sounds great, especially to my wife but I think I need a VR. My
hands get shaky every now and then(unknown if it is on-set of some medical
condition). I almost never use a tripod in the field(I use a flimsy monopod)
and I shoot my feathered subjects up at odd angles so I think I'm going to
get a VR. From what you and others say about that 80-200mm 2.8, along with
the great price, I may get one in addition to my main lens anyway. What is
bad is I live in the El Paso, TX area and there are no camera shops here so
I am unable to get my hands on some of the equipment I only see in magazines
and/or on-line. Best Buy, Comp Usa, Circuit City, etc...are the only stores
we have selling camera equipment are here so I rely a lot on what the
posters say here in this forum. Thanks for the advice.

Ilaab

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