New member and very much a beginner to photography

Paddyfields · #1 (**permalink**) 25-02-2010, 08:02 PM

Hi everyone.
Can anyone advise me? I have no experience around photography but would like to take up wildlife photography. I live in the Somerset levels and would like to shoot some otters that have returned. I've bought a Nikon DX50 with an 18-70 af lens but I can't get close enough, they appear as dots! Could some one reccomend the right lens I should get to start me off? Price will have a lot to do with choice so please be conservative.
Thanks

britnik · #2 (**permalink**) 25-02-2010, 08:35 PM

Unless you can get very close you are going to need a long lens.
Good long lenses tend to be quite expensive.
What sort of budget are you thinking of?

A Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di would may be a good low price starting point.
I'm sure that others will have other ideas

Edit: Oh, sorry forgot to say Welcome.
Edit 2: Sorry, what's a DX50

Paddyfields · #3 (**permalink**) 25-02-2010, 09:35 PM

Thanks Britnik,
Its a Nikon D50 the x means digital (I think, but I might have made that up).
I've looked on ebay and I could get a tamron or a sigma at those specs for less the £70.00. I wonder if I should get one more powerful or should I get this to start/learn with.
Paddyfields

britnik · #4 (**permalink**) 25-02-2010, 09:50 PM

Before you go splashing out, what's your budget.
It may help if you post the best picture that you have obtained with your current lens, then we can see what sort of magnification you are going to need.

Do you want to photograph any other subjects?
What are your other interests.

Some Nikons require lenses with focusing motors, I'm not sure if the D50 is one of these but I'm sure someone will help.

britnik · #5 (**permalink**) 26-02-2010, 05:09 AM

Paddyfields
You may get more responses if you post this question into the Wild About Britain Photography/Equipment Forum.

I can confirm though that the Nikon D50 does have an in-body focussing motor.

Paddyfields · #6 (**permalink**) 26-02-2010, 08:50 AM

Thanks again, I will do that after the weekend. I'm going on a Dolphin safari so I hope to have a few ggod pics from that.
Paddyfields

treecreeper · #7 (**permalink**) 26-02-2010, 11:48 AM

Welcome Paddyfields

. A dolphin safari sounds fantastic.

wizzo · #8 (**permalink**) 28-02-2010, 04:28 AM

Hi Paddy and welcome! - Wizzo

Paddyfields · #9 (**permalink**) 28-02-2010, 06:07 PM

Hi
Thanks for making me feel welcome. Which is more than the Dolphins did. Not one showed, which apparently is unusual on the coast of mid wales.
Paddyfields