Photography Question

[WestLothian]

Hi,

Apologies if this is a bit off topic...

I see some really nice sharp photos on this site and there must be some very experienced bird photographers who are frequenting the forum. I am fairly new to both the wild bird observation and the higher levels of photography, but I'm keen to know what is the current recommendation for good equipment.

Moving from the "cuddly toy" look to seeing "actual feathers" means more light, getting closer and buying lots of expensive lenses. The former are relatively simple but the latter is not something for experiment, rather for collecting the hard-won experiences of others. I read a lot about the Big Sigma zoom lens for these shots; but what are the real alternatives for somebody becoming addicted to the detail?

Thanks

[Boddie]

Hi

Which big Sigma zoom lens do you mean?

[WestLothian]

I mean the 10x zoom 50-500mm
I was looking at the 120-300 f/2.8 and x1.7 teleconverter options too...
confusing.

[Boddie]

What body do you have?

[WestLothian]

After too many decades of film I started with Sony compacts then recently I upgraded to a D80 body (for the camera).

[WestLothian]

Well,

I've been bumped to here.
Is that a good or a bad thing?
Fora are stange things but I will look around to see the "General Equipment"...

The 50-500 has a great reputation it seems.

[matt_xyz]

there's a thread here about the 50-500 'Bigma';

Sigma 50-500 lens, any good????

it's certainly a good lens. It's strength it its 500mm reach combined with the flexibility of the 50-500 zoom. The downside would be the weight, but plenty of users seem to find no problem with this.

I was about to extol the virtues of Canon long lenses but then I realised you were using Nikon I'm not familiar with other long lens options for Nikon I'm afraid.

Matt

[Kev Lewis]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

there's a thread here about the 50-500 'Bigma';

Sigma 50-500 lens, any good????

it's certainly a good lens. It's strength it its 500mm reach combined with the flexibility of the 50-500 zoom. The downside would be the weight, but plenty of users seem to find no problem with this.

I was about to extol the virtues of Canon long lenses but then I realised you were using Nikon I'm not familiar with other long lens options for Nikon I'm afraid.

Matt

The Sigma 50-500 has a good reputation and will produce some very nice images. But, and there's is always a but, compared to a good Nikon zoom or prime lens the sigma is just average. Personally if I really want the detail I would go for a prime lens rather than zoom and then try to get as close to the subject as possible and shoot with the camera/lens on a tripod.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

there's a thread here about the 50-500 'Bigma';

Sigma 50-500 lens, any good????

it's certainly a good lens. It's strength it its 500mm reach combined with the flexibility of the 50-500 zoom. The downside would be the weight, but plenty of users seem to find no problem with this.

I was about to extol the virtues of Canon long lenses but then I realised you were using Nikon I'm not familiar with other long lens options for Nikon I'm afraid.

Matt

Same here Matt

[HowlinWolf]

Originally Posted by Kev Lewis

The Sigma 50-500 has a good reputation and will produce some very nice images. But, and there's is always a but, compared to a good Nikon zoom or prime lens the sigma is just average. Personally if I really want the detail I would go for a prime lens rather than zoom and then try to get as close to the subject as possible and shoot with the camera/lens on a tripod.

This is true. I've recently acquired a Nikkor 300mm f/4D AF-S prime, and I'm stunned at the sharpness. Stop it down to f/5.6 and it's amazing. With the x1.5 field-of-view factor of a Nikon DSLR added to the equation, you have yourself what is effectively an f/4 450mm set up. OK, you don't have the flexibility of a zoom, but if it's quality you want, it comes at a price.
I'm also considering the TC-14E II for this lens in the near future, giving me the equivalent of a 630mm f/5.6 lens.

HW