D70s body and what lens for wildlife photography

[nikonlenses]

Hi there,

I am an amateur photography who owns a D70s. Can anyone advice what is the best lens for wildlife photography. The camera shop says Nikon 70 - 300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-1F AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Telephoto lens.

Appreciate your advice.

[scenar]

Best? 500f4 / 600f4 / 300f2.8
But heck, not affordable @ all....

Indeed the 70-300f4.5-5.6 vr would be a gd starting point.

Also do consider the Nikon AFS 300f4 and a teleconverter (1.4x / 1.7x) or the Nikon 80-400VR

[nikonlenses]

thanks for your tips !!! appreciate that.

[ortega]

it depends on what kind of wildlife
and are you willing to wait in a hide

[nikonlenses]

Originally Posted by ortega it depends on what kind of wildlife and are you willing to wait in a hide

not so much as of waiting in a hide. more like doing a river cruising and taking photos of wildlife along the river. mainly apes, monkeys and birds.

[nikonlenses]

what about either one of the following?

1) AF-S DX VR Zoom - Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
2) AF-S DX Zoom 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED

[ortega]

Originally Posted by nikonlenses not so much as of waiting in a hide. more like doing a river cruising and taking photos of wildlife along the river. mainly apes, monkeys and birds.

how far away are they?
and do you want to fill the frame with the subject?

[nikonlenses]

Originally Posted by ortega how far away are they? and do you want to fill the frame with the subject?

between 3 - 5 feet away. yes, i want to fill the frame with the subject, like close up.

[nikonlenses]

Originally Posted by ortega how far away are they? and do you want to fill the frame with the subject?

between 3 - 5 feet away. yes, i want to fill the frame with the subject, like close up.

[scenar]

Originally Posted by nikonlenses what about either one of the following? 1) AF-S DX VR Zoom - Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED 2) AF-S DX Zoom 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED

Neither are likely to make good lenses as 200mm is not likely to allow u to fill the frame.

Not to mention your subjs are likely to be under heavy foilage, cutting light levels dramatically. F5.6 is not likely to give u enough shutter speed, esp when handholding n bobbing on a boat.

Shooting a VR lens from a tripod on the boat would help.
Wait for the pros to chime in with their suggestions.

I would say if budget n space is at a premium, consider either the
80-400f4.5-5.6 VR / 70-200f2.8 VR (with teleconverters)

Of course ideally u shoot from @ least a 300f2.8VR on a tripod fr the boat.

U are likely to be disappointed using a 55-200 or 18-200 zoom.

[ortega]

3-5 feet is very near, how big are the subjects?

without knowing the size of the subjects i would say a 70-200VR would be enough, but you got to watch for the minimal focusing distance

[mrbinks76]

80-400VR is pretty good, nice contrast etc. Just that it is a bit slow in the focusing. Never really liked my 18-200 performance for long distance subjects.... a bit soft...

[sammy888]

Originally Posted by mrbinks76 80-400VR is pretty good, nice contrast etc. Just that it is a bit slow in the focusing. Never really liked my 18-200 performance for long distance subjects.... a bit soft...

Yup pretty damn slow as AF and VR goes. It was never considered a good sport lens for that reason. It uses the first version of VR. So the VR is not that good compared to the later VR or VRII.

The len is not an AFS lens but earlier AF model so it means it will need the gearing mechnism on the DSLR body to twist the AF device on the lens meaning...if you are using anything that is not a Pro DSLR body, it will be even slower to perform AF as the gearing device on a D70 or D70s is not as powerful. A tendency to track alot so for a lens use to go on safari this might be the least choicest lens to get.

Not much of a apeture option but as a glass piece..the lens is tack sharp.

[psychobiologist]

sigma 100-300 F/4, possibly a teleconverter for further reach if needed.

then again wanting close up at 3-5 feet? isnt that a bit near?