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Originally Posted by HowlinWolf  Thanks for your input, people. Maybe the 200-400 lens is a bit too far out there, so I've come up with a contingency plan which is as follows: I already use the Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S, which gives superb results, and am now considering the addition of the TC-14 E II which will take the focal length up to 420 mm and an aperture of f/5.6. The addition of the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 AF-VR ( with the occasional use of the converter, giving me a 98-280 f3.5 option) would make make things more versatile, and the lens has Silent Wave focusing (as does the 300mm). The TC-14E II is designed for use with both lenses.
The field of view of a DSLR will increase the effective focal lengths of these combinations, (hopefully) giving me the extra reach as and when I need it.
I'm considering the Nikkor zoom over anything else because of the optical performance.
Any thoughts or comments?
HW |
HW - if you've got the money DEFINATELY go for the 200-400 (I am assuming you want to photograph mainly birds) but even then you will also need a converter, a 1.4 or 1.7. If it's a little out of your price range at the moment then your plan is good but in my opinion you would be better off with a 1.7 converter (Nikon). With my 70-200 I opted for the 2x nikon converter as you need 400mm minimum in my opinion, however you have the 300 which has excellent optics. Remember the 70-200 is f2.8 so a loss of a couple of stops isn't the end of the world also it makes it extremely versatile for all forms of wildlife and it is a cracking lens. This would, in my opinion provide you with a great deal of enjoyment untill you could afford the 200-400 when you could sell your 300 if you wanted to help meet the cost. I messed about buying this that and the other when I realise now I should have listened to the advice of others and gone straight for the 200-400 but I originally never contemplated spending as much as I did in the end.
www.wildaboutbritain.
The above are taken with the 70-200 and 2x converter and to my eyes they are OK. All handheld. The processing may not be right as I'm all at sixes and sevens with that! Still learning, but this is not about me its getting you on the right path. I opted for the Bigma as a stop gap but you have the 300 so if you get a converter the quality, I suspect, will be better. Anyway the choice is yours is the end and whatever you choose I'm sure you'll get loads of enjoyment. Good luck, Colin.