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by stbuman on Sun Sep 29, 2024 2:52 am
stbuman
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Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, but I’ve been enjoying all the amazing work shared in this community. I’m looking for some advice on which lenses to buy (and sell) for an upcoming trip, as well as future travels.

I’m still an amateur in wildlife photography, having mostly focused on landscapes so far, but I’m eager to delve into wildlife and bird photography. I’m heading to Costa Rica soon and would love some photography tips.

My current gears - I use a Z6 with a 24-70mm f/4, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, and the 300 PF with FTZ.

My focus and interest - I plan to keep the 24-70mm f/4 for general photography and the 50mm f/1.8 for family pictures. I’m looking to add something for the longer end and prefer sharp images. My budget is up to $4,000 for two lenses

Options and Considerations:
300mm PF + 500mm PF: Both are sharp and great for dense forest. I’ve used the 300mm and appreciate its performance, but I’m concerned about versatility—especially in situations where I can’t move, like on a boat or if the subject is up in a tree and I do not have option to reduce/increase distance.

100-400mm + 500mm PF: Another option is selling the 300mm PF and investing in the 100-400mm alongside the 500mm PF. This combination would give me a solid medium range and a prime option for longer distances, which is ideal for birds.

300mm PF + 180-600mm: I could keep the 300mm PF for low-light situations and rent the 180-600mm just for this trip. But probably overlapping. I hesitate to buy the 180-600mm due to its weight for longer walks. If 180-600 is very good fit for place like Costa Rica (focused on birds), then I can rent it.

Starting Fresh: If I’m too confused, I might consider other options entirely, as you will suggest and advice.

Any advice you could share would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this decision.

Thank you so much!

Best regards,
 

by david fletcher on Sat Oct 12, 2024 3:47 pm
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Have seen quite a few images from Sony users with their 200-600 used in Costa Rica so the Nikon 180-600 would make a good choice and compliment the 300 PF you already have. 

Much of what you should do should be based on what you want to achieve.. 

If in doubt, rent the 180-600.  It'll be cheaper than buying it and finding it doesn't fit in with what you want or need.  (it is though, very versatile and is the easiest way to get to 600 in the Z range.  The 600 PF improves sharpness but loses in versatility and the jewel, the 600 F4 TC is a no go as out of your planned budget). 

I'm not going to chip in with what I use, as that has no relevance.  Hope that helps.
David Fletcher   Moderator.   Birds, Photo & Digital Art

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by Markus Jais on Mon Oct 14, 2024 5:03 am
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100-400 is a very good lens and the versatility is great (as long as 400mm is enough). It's also very sharp, not too heavy and it has a pretty good maximum magnification ratio (the best of the lenses mentioned above as far as I know) which may come in handy for insects like dragonflies or larger butterflies.
 

by Gene Gwin on Mon Oct 14, 2024 2:32 pm
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Re which lens.  The best lens is always the one that you have with you.  Depending on where in Costa Rica you will go will dictate which lens you really want.  For the very dark jungle, a 2.8 lens is invaluable.  If you're photographing at higher altitudes where's there's more light, then your choices are much broader.  In the forest/dark areas, my number one choice would be the Nikon 400 f/2.8 with the built-in tc.  It might be the sharpest lens that Nikon makes and has great versatility with the built-in tc.  Very expensive to buy, but since the trip will be costly, maybe worth renting.  As a second lens when photographing something that is closer, my number one choice would be 70-200 f/2.8.  Also, it is always an excellent idea to bring a second camera body in case something happens to your primary camera and if something should pop up that is pretty close, you would not have time to change lenses.  One last piece of advice is that you might want to practice closer to home photographing birds and wildlife so that a costly trip to Costa Rica would be more productive.  Good Luck.
 

by stbuman on Tue Oct 15, 2024 12:41 am
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Thanks for suggestions here.
Nikon 400 f/2.8 with the built-in tc is very nice, but expensive. Even rental will cross $850 for 10 days.

180-600mm is good range and very versatile. It is heavy, so I was hesitance to buy it. My take was, if I buy it I won't be using it much for day to day use. But I guess, I can rent it for $160 for this trip only. Costa Rica is place, where reach is important, as I read in many forums and looking at pictures of wildlife. I have been using 300mm PF, it is very sharp lens and it spoiled me for its IQ. Being consumer grade lens, can 180-600mm be sharp enough, especially for birds, their furs and details ?

100-400mm is again another good lens. I was almost inclined to sell 300mm PF and buy 100-400. But I see some reviews (Steve Perry is one), who keep sharpness of 100-400mm even a step behind than 180-600mm. Is it correct ? Maybe I can rent one and try.
 

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