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Help with picking a lens for mt D810

d180

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10 replies to this topic

#1
turkeyboy85

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Hi, I currently shoot wildlife with my P900. I have enjoyed it immensely. I have gotten to a point with my photography that I am ready to upgrade to a true DSLR.

 

I have chosen the D810 and I was wondering what everyone thought would be a good starter lens for me to be using for wildlife.

 

My uncle suggested getting a Nikon af-s FX Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED. I was also investigating the Nikon AF-s FX Nikkor 200-500 F/5.6e ED.

Most of the wildlife I shoot are foxes, deer, and waterfowl.

 

My current P900 has a 83x zoom (2000mm) granted it is only a 16mp.... I get a lot of noise at low light which is part of the reason I am upgrading.

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#2
Merco_61

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The best Nikon if funds aren't unlimited would probably be either the current 80-400 or the 200-500. The 80-400 is much more expensive, though.

 

As you come from the P900, remember that the 200-500 and D810 combination has a mass of 3280g, the 80-400 is 730g less to carry around. Going outside Nikon, the Tamron 150-600 G2 has more reach than either Nikon with significantly lower mass than the 200-500 (310g). 300 or 700 grams don't sound like much, but will definitely be felt after a day out and about with the camera.

 

You can seldom get too much reach when shooting wildlife, so I would recommend the Tamron over the Nikons.



#3
sunshine

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I've never used a P900 so I cannot do a direct comparison, but going to a D810 will not eliminate noise.  I can't say if it will be less than the P900, but I struggle with noise all the time with both my D810 and D500.  When the light is low you will find the greatest limitation is your aperture.  If I am going out specifically to photograph wildlife I take the D500 and Tamron 150-600mm.  It's extremely rare that I wish for a shorter lens vs. wishing for longer.  I do often wish for a 600mm f/4, but that's way out of my budget.  :)


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#4
nbanjogal

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I'll just third the recommendation for the Tamron 150-600mm. I don't use mine often, but it's a good lens. Sigma also makes a 150-600mm that a few of our forum members get great results with. Don't be afraid to use another brand. 

 

Have you already purchased the D810? If your main subject will be wildlife, you might want to think about the D500. Check out forum member Bobby18120--he shoots wildlife with a D500 and a Sigma and gets some fantastic images. You could send him a private message to see what his thoughts are about his gear.

 

Here's a link to his Flickr feed: Bobby | Flickr


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#5
turkeyboy85

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I'll just third the recommendation for the Tamron 150-600mm. I don't use mine often, but it's a good lens. Sigma also makes a 150-600mm that a few of our forum members get great results with. Don't be afraid to use another brand. 

 

Have you already purchased the D810? If your main subject will be wildlife, you might want to think about the D500. Check out forum member Bobby18120--he shoots wildlife with a D500 and a Sigma and gets some fantastic images. You could send him a private message to see what his thoughts are about his gear.

 

Here's a link to his Flickr feed: Bobby | Flickr

 

 

I am just about to hit the buy button... I decided on the 810 because I wanted the full frame plus with the 850 coming out I am able to get a d810 with a shutter count under 2k at the price of a new D500.

 

My P900 has such a small sensor that anything above ISO 800 and sometimes lower I will get Noise.(1/3.3 inch 16mp BSI CMOS) I still plan on holding onto the P900 because it is nice to have such a large zoom but it will only shoot in Jpeg.

 

Sounds like people really like the Tamron 150-600 I will have to look into it.



#6
Merco_61

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For my use, I decided on the Sigma 150-600 Sports, but that is because I need something that can be panned handheld @1/30, which is ridiculous. Aircraft with propellers look weird when the propeller is frozen by the shutter speed. For more normal wildlife use, the G2 Tamron has slightly better contrast and has 870 grams less mass than the Sigma.


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#7
ScottinPollock

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If your main subject will be wildlife, you might want to think about the D500.

 

She's right! The D500 is a much better camera for wildlife.

 

Edit: In fact, it is probably the best there is currently for BIF and wildlife.


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#8
Bobby18120

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In my opinion you should wait till winter, save your money for a good glass

when Nikon starts the new mirrorless you will see the prices of dslr  go down, little by little

 

A Kit telephoto lens like the Nikon 200-500 can't support so many megapixels  

 

 

The Glass is the most important so be aware .

If you care about iso noise AND  performance get a USED Nikon 300mm 2.8 AFS  NON VR  for 1600-2300$ That's a REAL LENS FOR A REAL DSLR BODY

With a crop body it can give you a decent  focal length (D500,D7200,D7500) for cheaper price

Good Luck!Hope you will get there one day


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#9
dcbear78

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As a D810 and D500 owner, I too would also suggest the D500. I find it actually better in low light for noise. 



#10
TBonz

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Another vote for the D500.  I shoot mine as often as my D4 bodies.  In my opinion it is better at low light than the D810...at least equal to my D4.  I use it for both sports and wild life.  This was with the D500 and 70-200:

 

OspreyNest20180701-2642.jpg

 

The crop sensor will give you a bit of extra range over the full frame which is pretty much always welcome when shooting wildlife.  I personally have the Nikon 200-400 but have been impressed with the shots here from the other long lenses mentioned above.  


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#11
fallout666

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i am with merco-61 and others on getting d500 with tamron or sigma. i have first gen tamron150-600mm. also would say d500 since if get 150-600 or 70-200mm you get extra range on the lens. when i use my tamron first gen. 150-600mm i get 225-900mm range on my first gen nikon  70-200  i get about 105-110 to 300mm range. also fact the d500 is professional version for dx. to me i at point where i need to know what lenses i want and know better off get third party of nikon for price of lens and just as good or better then nikon lenses.