Which Lens

[davetucker]

Hi Guys, thanks for your responses to my last post. Here is another mind numbing question that you have probably heard a thousand times (at least). My main passion is Birds, so if you could only choose 1 lens to use with a Nikon DSLR and with a purchase budget of £1300.00p, which lens would you choose and why??

Thanks for any help.
Dave

[eeyore]

personally i'd choose the canon 100-400 IS but that isnt going to do you a lot of good so in your situation i would suggest either the Nikon 80-400VR or Sigma 80-400 OS.

alternatively your budget might just stretch to a 300mm f2.8 (not sure about the nikon prices) which could be used with a 2xtc to give 600mm f5.6 - this would be great for long range bird photography but wouldnt be as versatile as one of the zooms , particularly if it is your only lens.

[gary gas]

Ive heard that the sigma 50 500mm is a good lens but i have not used one.I use a nikon 300mm f4 with a 1.4tc but 420mm is still a bit short it might be worth looking on ebay to see how much a sigma 500mm f4.5 sells for

[eeyore]

the bigma definitely is a good lens , and one to go for if you are not worried about image stabilisation - the best bit is that it is only arround 600 notes so this will leave you plenty of cash for a decent tripod and another lens or two

[Boddie]

Or start again by getting a Canon 400D and the pump. Then next time you ask about lenses dozens of people will get back to you with advice.

Yep, thats the best idea

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Or start again by getting a Canon 400D and the pump. Then next time you ask about lenses dozens of people will get back to you with advice.

Yep, thats the best idea

personally if i had that kind of money to spend i'd get the 30D and the pump - i dont really rate the 400D , too dinky in the hand and only 3fps

[Boddie]

For £1,300?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

For £1,300?

pump around 800 or so

30D body only around 600

both via ebay

okay so thats 1400 - but if money was tight I'd rather have a 30D and a bigma than a 400D and a pump

[davetucker]

Whats oer is the the pump??

[Oy]

Ignoring the sidetracking Canonites for a second

The Nikon 300mm F4 plus x1.4 TC would be a great bet for birds. At 420mm it would certainly outperform lenses like the Bigma - even when cropped to an equivalent 500mm.