Nature photos - which lens...

colinuk

colinuk

colinuk

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Seena few pics on here of birds and they are realyl nice and something id like to have a go at myself.
I have a Fuji S2 and a S5 as we me and my mum do weddings and portraits and these seems to be the best camera so far.

So, which lens, nikon fit, would be good for taking shots of birds, im thinking 300mm prime but not sure which would be a good starter lens for me.

Any ideas?

ColiN
 
depends on how close you can get, what size birds, what are the lighting conditions generally gonig to be like. ( e.g. woodland would benefit from faster glass like f/2.8)

If its small birds then maybe 400mm+ in the wild (shy around humans) for example.
 
The S5 takes Nikon lenses doesn't it?

So, you could get a Nikon 300mm f4 afs lens for approx £770 which is a terrific lens even when used with a decent 1.4x converter.

If you don't want to spend that much, there is the Nikon 70-300 f4.5-5.6 which is also a decent performer and much cheaper at just under £300. It's a much underestimated lens IMO, and is a world apart from the Sigma/Tamron 70-300's.

There is also the Sigma 100-300mm EX DG f4, which is a bit cheaper than the Nikon prime but again a superb lens even with a converter. It's also a little more flexible if you're too close to your subject. Around £700 again though, although there are plenty around used for nearer £500.

What is your budget?
 
Are the sigma's and tamerons as sharp as a nikon prime, the only prime i have is the 50mm, and we all know how sharp that is!

Budget would be about £1000. Will the 1.4x convertor work on the fuji?
 
You can never have enough reach and you'll eventually want more but a good starting place would be the 300/4 with a 1.4x as has already been mentioned. I used to have the Sigma 100-300 a long time ago but personally didn't rate the optics that much but it is a good way to get a semi fast zoom lens.

The Nikon 70-300 won't work with convertors I don't think(?) so I'd try and get one of the two above as at least that way you can use them with a 1.4 for even more reach.

EDIT: Just seen your budget. I'd go 300/4 with the 1.4, will be the sharpest you can get for the money.
 
Cheers, got a shop [cant say name, might be a compitior] but it does hire lenses out, so will give one a go at the weekend and see how it performs.

Will f4 be enough on the lens.
 
It will be fine for most situations, but with the 1.4x it will be f5.6 of course.

For £1000, definately the 300 f4 and 1.4x is where I'd stick my cash.

EDIT: Silverpenguin is correct, the Nikon 70-300 won't work with the Nikon converter, but it does work with Kenko Pro converters and other aftermarket ones. The only problem there is that you're at f5.6 before you start, so it would only be a bright light solution, and I wouldn't recommend a converter with that particular lens anyway. I own the Nikon 300mm f4, the Sigma 100-300, and the Nikon 70-300. My Kenko Pro 300 1.4x works with all of them, but is only worth using with the Nikon 300mm and Sigma lenses. I've kept the 70-300 as it's a good compact/lightweight lens for situations when I don't really want to lug around the other two!

The Nikon converter will fit your S5, as it's a Nikon mount camera.
 
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colinuk said:
Are the sigma's and tamerons as sharp as a nikon prime, the only prime i have is the 50mm, and we all know how sharp that is!

Budget would be about £1000. Will the 1.4x convertor work on the fuji?
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For 1000 have a look at a 80-400 f/4.5-5.6. NOt the sharpest at 300-400 but usually good enough. Rumours of an AF-S replacement comming but that has beent he case for years.

A 300 f/4 Prime with 1.4tc would probably give better results. However the 300 f/4 is no where near as good as the 300 2.8 ONCE a tc is added.

The next option a price bracket up would be the 300 2.8 at about 2700£

Unfortunatly Nikon doesn't have any middle ground lenses like 400 5.6 etc.
 
Tooks said:
EDIT: Silverpenguin is correct, the Nikon 70-300 won't work with the Nikon converter, but it does work with Kenko Pro converters and other aftermarket ones. The only problem there is that you're at f5.6 before you start, so it would only be a bright light solution, and I wouldn't recommend a converter with that particular lens anyway. I own the Nikon 300mm f4, the Sigma 100-300, and the Nikon 70-300. My Kenko Pro 300 1.4x works with all of them, but is only worth using with the Nikon 300mm and Sigma lenses. I've kept the 70-300 as it's a good compact/lightweight lens for situations when I don't really want to lug around the other two!
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Yes sorry I should have been more specific, part of my saying it won't work was also thinking about the aperture you'll be getting and that focus will be slow as anything with the TC on the 70-300. I was thinking it but just didn't say it :)

D.P. said:
For 1000 have a look at a 80-400 f/4.5-5.6. NOt the sharpest at 300-400 but usually good enough. Rumours of an AF-S replacement comming but that has beent he case for years.
Click to expand...
I didn't mention that one because you here so much about the poor focus and IQ at the long end I don't really count it as a contender.

The 120-300 would be a good one too, although much bigger than the rest - which are all hand holdable quite easily.
 
2700 is a bit too much for me to be honest. Just looking for a lens that will allow me and my mum to go out and get some goodpics of birds as she seems to have ound an interest in it. For now I have a 70-200 nikon lens and a 80-300 sigma [i think its sigma] but while the nikon is good, its glass and as such weighs in at about 500kg, or so my mum says after holding it for 10 mins. The sigma is a lot lighter, more than 70% so, but not good enough quality from it to be honest.

Maybe i will have to bite the bullet and get her a new tripod, or is it a mono pod for a lens holder, although she complains about using a tripod as she cant move it fast enough to photo the birds lol.. i cant win can i...

Will test the nikon 300 out this weekend and see how it does, might end up having to get a faster camera too as while the Fuji S5 is good on colours, its speed at taking photos is not really an issue at weddings, fast moving birds on the other hand...

But TY for the advice so far, good reading :)

ColiN
 
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