Lens for nature/birding (Nikon fit)

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kartracer

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I'm finding myself increasingly interested in birding, and would like to get a lens with more reach than my present 70-200 (on D7000, D700), also for occasional motorsports use.

The Nikon 80-400 sounds like it would cover the requirements, but gets mixed reviews. Would the extra 100/150mm on the 70-300mm do as a stop gap until I see if my interest grows?
 
The 70-200mm you have works very well with the TC-14EII / TC-17EII & TC-20EIII Converters, So that maybe a cheaper option at looking at, The 80-400mm out performs the 70-300mm from the reviews I have read, another option I would strongly recommend a Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 with a TC-14EII or TC-17EII which both work well with the lens and produces a great combo, Another option would be the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8, The old version is around the cost of the 80-400mm but then again there isn't much point in that as you have most of the reach covered, unless you use it with a 1.4x Converter. Which would give you 420mm f/4 on your D700 or 630mm f/4 on your D7000 which is very good reach!
 
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As Joe suggests - the Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 with a TC-14EII is a really good lens and a good start as it is so good wide open at f4 or f5.6

Hand held if the light is good

On a tripod if you are "set up"

No VR or IS though

I have never found my 70 200mm f2.8 VR to be any good as a birding lens on a DSLR - it is a very good lens and I use it as my main carry around lens - along it is quite long

(I tried the Sigma and Bigma and did not like them, the old Nikon 80 400mm did not get great reviews, the new version is supposed to be very much better)
 
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kartracer said:
The Nikon 80-400 sounds like it would cover the requirements, but gets mixed reviews.
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Ah, that will be the old version you're talking about, the AF D-type. Optically decent, but slow and noisy autofocus. The newer version, the AF-S G-type, is excellent.
 
I do love prime lenses thought, and I've seen the 300mm F4 for just over £700, I'm guessing its an import?
 
the 300 F4 with the 1.4 is light with very good IQ, a very good set up.
 
kartracer said:
The Nikon 80-400 sounds like it would cover the requirements, but gets mixed reviews.
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Which version? The mk I that was introduced in 2000 never seemed to gain the popularity that the Canon 100-400 equivalent did, but the new mkII seems to be pretty well received.
 
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