Wildlife Photographers i need some advice ........ Nikon Questions

bbg404

bbg404

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Morning all........ I own the Nikon D750 and Nikon 80-400 AF-S and I love them both.

I thinking about getting a Nikon D7200 to go with my 80-400 for wildlife or selling the 80-400 and getting one of the 150-600 lenses.

What's better for wildlife the D750 or the D7200?

Which combination would you go for?

D750 / 80-400 AF-S
D750 / 150-600 Sigma Sport
D7200 / 80-400 AF-S

Thanks
 
Don't rule out the new Nikon 200-500mm lens, to me it looks very promising, although there is currently a call back for a firmware update. I haven't had the D7200 but the D7100, I didn't like going over ISO 800/1000 but I know the D750 will have no problems with the higher ISO.
 
I read your comments on the D750 thread. Using the D750 in cropped (DX mode) may increase your 'reach' but it comes with a trade off - you'll lose pixels :(

The D750 at FX = 24.3M pixels, 1.2 crop = 16.7M pixels and DX = 9.7M pixels .... a D7200 will give you 24.2M pixels

If you want resolution - go with the D7200 :)
 
I would personally go for the D750 with the 150-600mm Sigma S, if you're happy to carry that weight. The Tamron and Sigma C are very good lighter and cheaper options. I use the Tamron on my D750 and am very happy with the results, at £699 after cash back it was a bit of a steal imo.
 
The Nikon 200-500 isn't really an option for me. The Price of the lens for 100mm less than the Sigma Sport.

I think the D7200 80-400 combo will be the way I go ..... Sooner rather than later!

The decision ive got is do I risk buying a 150-600 to test on the d750 first or for about the same price just get a body and stick with the 80-400 I really trust the 80-400 the one ive got is pin sharp! I know some people have had a duff one or don't think it focus's fast enough well with mine I totally disagree its more than quick enough if you don't expect to get from the sort to long end of the focus instantly
 
The Tamron and the Sigma C are very good value. But I wouldnt buy the Sport over the Nikon due to the Nikon being a constant aperture and cheaper, also you can then add a 1.4 TC if needed giving you 700mm @ f7.8. Not sure the Sigma will take a TC??
 
bbg404 said:
The Nikon 200-500 isn't really an option for me. The Price of the lens for 100mm less than the Sigma Sport.

I think the D7200 80-400 combo will be the way I go ..... Sooner rather than later!

The decision ive got is do I risk buying a 150-600 to test on the d750 first or for about the same price just get a body and stick with the 80-400 I really trust the 80-400 the one ive got is pin sharp! I know some people have had a duff one or don't think it focus's fast enough well with mine I totally disagree its more than quick enough if you don't expect to get from the sort to long end of the focus instantly
Click to expand...

Not sure what prices you have seen but the Nikon 200-500 is £320 cheaper than the Sigma Sport.? See my post above for the use of TC also, not sure the Sigma will give you that option??

Go to your local dealer and try them all out, including the D7200 body with your 80-400mm lens.
 
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I ran the D7100 and tamron 150-500,i now have the D750 and sigma C 150-600,ime looking to get another D7100 because i need to crop images and as good as it is i dont think the D750 crops enough while retaining detail.
 
I had the new 80-400 for a while & sold it to get the Tammy 150-600 for the extra reach........ then sold that & went back to the Nikon 80-400, which I prefer.
I use it on a D800E & find cropping in later on the PC fine, rather than in-camera crops at the time.

Maybe a D810 if funds allow?
 
Any chance you could borrow, or rent, the combinations of cameras and lens? This would allow you to make an informed decision.
 
OldCarlos said:
I had the new 80-400 for a while & sold it to get the Tammy 150-600 for the extra reach........ then sold that & went back to the Nikon 80-400, which I prefer.
I use it on a D800E & find cropping in later on the PC fine, rather than in-camera crops at the time.

Maybe a D810 if funds allow?
Click to expand...
To save me googling what's the resolution of the D810 in DX mode?
 
All interesting comments!!

I know I haven't got the funds for a D810 as I really want to keep the d750 for my Landscape and Astro work!

It was just to get that extra reach which I think as mentioned I think the first step will be the d7200 then a small possibility of a 1,.4tc but that affects focus speed and then id be shooting at f7.8 which wouldn't be the end of the world in good light!

Thanks
 
OldCarlos said:
I had the new 80-400 for a while & sold it to get the Tammy 150-600 for the extra reach........ then sold that & went back to the Nikon 80-400, which I prefer.
I use it on a D800E & find cropping in later on the PC fine, rather than in-camera crops at the time.

Maybe a D810 if funds allow?
Click to expand...

Im glad you went back to the 80-400 and you doing what I was tempted to do has settled me in sticking with the 80-400 for now ha hopefully just adding the d7200 will be the answer to my problems £600 risk though
 
bbg404 said:
All interesting comments!!

I know I haven't got the funds for a D810 as I really want to keep the d750 for my Landscape and Astro work!

It was just to get that extra reach which I think as mentioned I think the first step will be the d7200 then a small possibility of a 1,.4tc but that affects focus speed and then id be shooting at f7.8 which wouldn't be the end of the world in good light!

Thanks
Click to expand...
If you go down the D7200 I'd be interested to hear your thoughts compared to the D750 in terms of AF, IQ and how well it PP's (y)
 
Unless you can always fill the frame with your wildlife subject, then go for the crop body.
 
Your 80-400 would gain a crop factor equal to 216- 1080 mm with a 1 series.
 
snerkler said:
If you go down the D7200 I'd be interested to hear your thoughts compared to the D750 in terms of AF, IQ and how well it PP's (y)
Click to expand...

I also would be interested in your results with a D7200, as I've been contemplating getting one for my 80-400 (= 120-600mm & cropping in PP later should also work fine)


Brachytron said:
Unless you can always fill the frame with your wildlife subject, then go for the crop body.
Click to expand...

I usually find it better to re-compose my shots & crop after. Eliminates cutting off tails or missing a BIF.
 
What is the d750 and 80-400 not doing that you want it to? Is 'reach' a problem? Can you get closer to the subject? I say that as one of my most used lenses for wildlife on d750 is a 70-200! Can you also lose 1-2 stops of ISO and not have a problem?

I have been thinking myself about a d7100 for further away subject like hunting owls as I'm limited to 400mm with the d750. A dx body would be 600mm equiv with the same lens with some cropping left too. The other option may be a nikon 200-500 (100mm is much difference between 500-600mm, just needs a bit of cropping).

Teleconverters are useful on a f2.8 or f4 lens but I wouldn't use one with a f5.6 lens as the loss of light is a problem as you need good light. Whilst cropping reduces file size it's not really a problem unless you print big. There isn't much difference to cropping and Teleconverters if it's web use only.
 
I can't compare the D750 with the D7200 as I have the D810 & D7200 but my 500mm f4 is on the D7200 a huge amount of the time and it does really very well for my wildlife photography. The Dynamic Range of the D7200 is very good, the AF & Tracking is excellent and the ISO capability is also very good, but I suspect not as good as the D750.
I would have no hesitation in using it with the 150-600 :)
 
rob-nikon said:
What is the d750 and 80-400 not doing that you want it to? Is 'reach' a problem? Can you get closer to the subject? I say that as one of my most used lenses for wildlife on d750 is a 70-200! Can you also lose 1-2 stops of ISO and not have a problem?
Click to expand...
Depends on your type of wildlife. I have the 150-600mm and there are times I wished I'd had even more reach. 200mm isn't ideal for birding for example. I can't get within 12-15ft of small birds and at 200mm they are very small in the frame.

That being said some of my favourite shots from various wildlife parks were shot with the 70-200mm but I was pretty close.
 
bbg404 said:
I know I haven't got the funds for a D810 as I really want to keep the d750 for my Landscape and Astro work!
.....
I think the first step will be the d7200
Click to expand...
So how much does a D7200 cost, compared with trading in the D750 for a D810?
 
Thanks for all the comments! I will also be interested in the d7200 vs the D750 so I will be making the jump! Just waiting for some money coming in and I'll order one! Basically I'll buy Grey for £600 delivered from Panamoz as I totally trust them

For birding 400mm just isn't enough at times and the easiest way to get it is a crop body!

A friend has just made the same move but on a Canon body had the 6D 100-400 and just got the 7Dii

I believe a crop body is the way forward for wildlife
 
I'm running the D750, D7200 and the Sigma 150-600 Sport. Both cameras come into their own in different circumstances. If the light's not much good, putting the Sigma on the D750 is the way to go (at the cost of a bit of reach) but in good light, I've been putting the D7200 on the back instead. The Sigma will AF with one of the Kenko Pro300 1.4x converters but it's not brilliant (which is why I'm getting rid of mine).

I've got Red Kite pictures taken with the D750/Sigma combination and low-level aircraft pictures shot with the D7200/Sigma on my Flickr page if you want to take a look. I've got no issues with the performance of the Sigma but I'd definitely recommend that you spend the extra £30 and get the dock to go with it. Being able to customise the performance parameters of the lens is a big help. :)

If you're not fussed about the extra 200mm of reach though, I'd stick with your 80-400mm (if it's the MKII version) and just get the D7200 to go with it.
 
Spiritflier said:
I'm running the D750, D7200 and the Sigma 150-600 Sport. Both cameras come into their own in different circumstances. If the light's not much good, putting the Sigma on the D750 is the way to go (at the cost of a bit of reach) but in good light, I've been putting the D7200 on the back instead. The Sigma will AF with one of the Kenko Pro300 1.4x converters but it's not brilliant (which is why I'm getting rid of mine).

I've got Red Kite pictures taken with the D750/Sigma combination and low-level aircraft pictures shot with the D7200/Sigma on my Flickr page if you want to take a look. I've got no issues with the performance of the Sigma but I'd definitely recommend that you spend the extra £30 and get the dock to go with it. Being able to customise the performance parameters of the lens is a big help. :)

If you're not fussed about the extra 200mm of reach though, I'd stick with your 80-400mm (if it's the MKII version) and just get the D7200 to go with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments, It will be the D7200 I need and want.

Mine is the 80-400 MKII and I love it!
 
I'm going to upgrade my d7000 and was debating d7200 vs d810 and have decided on the 7200. For birding the extra mp (24.4 vs 15.4 for dx mode in the 810) is going to be more useful than the ff features of the 810. It generally always comes down to reach with birding unless you have a lot of time which I generally don't.
 
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