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New lense for bird photography

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 8:47 am
by 06Honda
I currently use the Nikon AF-S 80-400 F/4.5-5.6G ED VR, pretty solid lense but would like slighty more reach and a lighter weight. I have been looking at two lense and would like any opinions or users views on them, see below. I do not use a tripod, handheld only. The body will be a Nikon D7500.

(1) Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300 F4E PF ED VR with a teleconverter

or

(2) Nikon AF-S 500 F5.6 E PF ED VR

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:15 am
by SantaFeJoe
I use the 300 f4 pf with a TC1.4 ll on a D850. It is a super sharp lens and easy to handle. I use it on FX mostly. On DX, it may be fine for you and will be versatile with the 1.4 TC. I find that on FX, I  always want more reach and am going to get the 500 f5.6 pf for that reason. By using the DX setting, it will give me even more versatility. Both lenses are sharp enough to allow cropping into the image while maintaining sharpness and detail (20.9 mp may be limiting on D7500). Either way, you will have a great lens. The determining factor will probably depend mostly on the distance at which you are working. BTW, although you didn’t mention it, I also have the 200-500 and find it unwieldy and definitely recommend against it because it is not easy to handle and is heavy.

Joe

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:24 am
by photoman4343
I own both of the PF lenses and Teleconverter and use both for birds and wildlife. My 500mm f5.6 pf is on my D500 99% of the time. My 300mm f4 pf is on my D850 . If I am in a blind or other stationary situation, I have both ready to use. When walking around. I might use the 300mm f4 pf on my D500 when I do not want the extra weight of the 500mm f5.6. I use the tc on the 500mm and 300mm. And when walking around, the 1.4x tc is often on my 300mm.

Bottom line--if you can afford the 500mm f5.6 get it as you et the extra focal length.

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:44 am
by Swissblad
I can echo Joe's post - when travelling light or just walking around, the D500 with the 300mmPF & TC14EIII is a super combo - easy to handle, light weight and sharp.
If you need extra reach, the 500mmPF is a superb lens - it is, however, heavier and bulkier - so we only take it with when the need is there.
Either way you can't go wrong.

Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:30 pm
by ADKShooter
I own both the PF lenses, and the D500 and D850 cameras.  I do not shoot with a teleconverter. I have not owned the D500 for very long but find that it works very well with the 500mm pf.  However, for the most part, I will probably still use the 500pf with the D850 because of more than double the pixels and the better ability to crop when necessary. I intend to use the 300pf with the D500 for smaller wildlife like butterflies where I will get the added reach and still have close focusing where the amount of cropping will be minimal.

I don't find the 500mm pf to be relatively heavy or bulky and I am 70, with two fake hips, and pleasantly out of shape, lol.  However, there's no doubt that the 300 pf is unbelievably light for the mm of the lens and can be carried around all day.  However,  If I was looking primarily for a bit more reach, as you indicated, I would go for the 500 pf as my primary lens.

Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:00 am
by 06Honda
Well it looks like I picked the right two lenses to choose from. I appreciate the post backs and info, thankyou all.