If you had a grand to spend on a lens (Nikon)

[andy_fozzy]

I'm never happy :nuts:

But anyway, if you had £1000 to spend on a lens for birds and wildlife, what would you do?

At the moment I've got the Nikon 300mm F4 ED (the old one)
and a Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO HSM DG OS
Both lenses are capable of producing good results. The Sigma needs really good light to perform well. The O/S is pretty good. But DAMN IT'S BIG!!!!
AF is much better than the 300mm.
The 300 is very sharp, even wide open, pretty light and compact. But the AF is dreadfully slow. Not much use for wildlife that moves any faster than a slow worm

If I sold them both, and put a bit, I could raise a grand.
But would I get anything better than what I have?

WDYT.........

 

[specialman]

Used 300mm f/4 AF-s with a TC.... Get that lot for a grand in here

 

[gramps]

Nikon 300mm f4 AF-S and some change.

 

[andy_fozzy]

Both replied at the same time

I'm thinking the same..........

 

[Deleted member 3428]

EF 100-400 L or the ef 400 f5.6 L but you've been there and done that.

 

[Euan]

EF 100-400 L or the ef 400 f5.6 L but you've been there and done that.

Dont say that to Andy! There will be a for sale thread up soon!

 

[stokes]

That 300 f4 works a treat lol... Blummin heck why can't the 500mm f4 be cheaper?

What ever you do don't go nikon 80-400 - you will be doing more hunting than a hunter in hunting season

 

[stokes]

Dont say that to Andy! There will be a for sale thread up soon!

I doubt it, a day with my body and Andy was turned to the darkside.... More features and a better feel apparently... Pmsl

 

[malo50]

I doubt it, a day with my body and Andy was turned to the darkside.... More features and a better feel apparently... Pmsl

You must have a he'll of a body!!!

 

[Dr_O]

...a day with my body and Andy was turned to the darkside....

And I thought this was a family forum...

Newer 300mm is a good call- like it a lot- might even be worth waiting until the end of the month lest Nikon release a VR version or an update to the 80-400. However, I wouldn't bet on it and predict a 30mm macro instead...

 

[stokes]

And I thought this was a family forum...

That's only half the story, in return Andy let me play with his new toy and now I have a big intrest in all things micro and macro.... Again... Pmsl

 

[fracster]

Used 300mm f/4 AF-s with a TC.... Get that lot for a grand in here

End of story, completely agree.

 

[Martyn...]

End of story, completely agree.

I have to agree about the 300/4 AF-S and 1.4 / 1.7TC, there was a thread recently of someone using the lens with the latest 2.0TC's and it still auto focused LINK

300/4 AF-S + 1.4TC


300/4 AF-S + 1.7TC


Any further doubts on its ability all the Dragonfly shots on this thread were shot using the 300/4 AF-S + 1.4TC LINK

 

[andy_fozzy]

Right, sod off you 'orrible lot

You all gave me a giggle this morning, which isn't an easy task, let me tell you

Thank you everyone who gave *constructive* advice!
I think I have made my mind up on the 300 AFS.
I already have the Kenko 1.4 TC

 

[ecniv]

Hi,

Probably too late for me to chip in as you've already decided?

Was going to say a 50-500 sigma. Not sure how that compares to the 300 you have/want.

As I've only recently obtained a Tair 3a 300mm, I can't comment on its crispness on birds/things a long way away - some example pics in the flickr link tho if you want to browse. The motorsport ones are mainly cropped and minor unsharp masked.

If you do get the newer 300 con you post a few pics from it?

 

[andy_fozzy]

Hi,

Probably too late for me to chip in as you've already decided?

Was going to say a 50-500 sigma. Not sure how that compares to the 300 you have/want.

As I've only recently obtained a Tair 3a 300mm, I can't comment on its crispness on birds/things a long way away - some example pics in the flickr link tho if you want to browse. The motorsport ones are mainly cropped and minor unsharp masked.

If you do get the newer 300 con you post a few pics from it?

No probs.
Quite a way off yet, as I have to chop and change a bit.......

Did consider the 50-500 actually, but I don't think it would be much different from my 150-500 :shrug:

 

[TCR4x4]

I hired the 300 AF-S for RIAT as the 300 AF-D was too slow. A definate improvement and worked well with the Kenko TC. Looks like my lens is off on another adventure!