Which Prime lens for Bird Photography?

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17 Nov 2012 - 5:26 PM

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arhb (e2 Member)

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17 Nov 2012 - 5:46 PM

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If they're anywhere near as good as the Canon version, should be ok on cropped sensor or full frame, and work well with 1.4 and 2x tele converters.
Probably worth investing in a good solid tripod and head also.

KNS

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17 Nov 2012 - 8:45 PM

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Yes it will be fine on a D7000. VR is overated, if you have sufficient shutter speed you won't need it anyway. The D7000 is reasonably good on high(er) ISO to get you to those higher speeds....

As someone says above get the Teleconverters. A 1.4 and 2x TC will make it a 420 f4 and 600 f5.6 respectively.... All 300 2.8's weigh a proverbial tonne....just somethng to be aware of.....

DavidNikonD800 (e2 Member)

20 Nov 2012 - 3:45 PM

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Bird Photography is not easy to do, I think 300mm is bit short, best around 400mm to 500mm, need fast lens with VR or IS are best advisable.

LenShepherd (e2 Member)

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1 Dec 2012 - 8:22 PM

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If the 300 is an AF-1 version rather than a later AF-S version - use caution.
The AF-1 was last made 16 years ago and many spare parts, especially the AF motor, are no longer available. It was a good lens - but generally cannot be repaired. Allow for this in the price you pay
Turning to VR, VR lenses are probably outside the OP's price range, but I own and use a 300 f2.8 VR and disagree all the VR feedback.
Nikon make the point VR helps steady the subject in the frame, helping get good AF lock on. I agree VR does not help reduce subject movement much faster than 1/500 shutter speed - but this is an academic arguement if AF misses a moving subject because VR was not being used.
The 300 f2.8 VR has tripod mode VR
Tripod mode VR can help a lot at slower shutter speeds, and with a converter - 560-840mm equivalent angle of view on a D7000. VR can sometimes make the difference between sharp and unsharp; or head and wing feathers within the depth of field - this may need f11 or smaller - with a tight crop of a medium or small bird.

Nick_w (Critique Team)

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23 Jan 2013 - 8:03 PM

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David how relevant is a 17-35 for bird photography, why are you flooding the forums with links to the images?