Next telephoto lens to compliment the Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR II

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Hio all,

I currently own Nikon Fieldscope EDG85 that allows me to shot from 500mm - 1000mm comfortably with Nikon D300s or using compact camera with Digiscoping adapter all in Manual Focus. Been shooting with these system since 2007. Then recently I bought a Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR II to compliment the scope for moving subject even though I did managed to get some of the action shot with my Fieldscope but I have wasted many shutters in order to get those moving shots. The 300mm also I used for sport photography.

In my place, most birds would be far away so reached is important and I always shoot inside the dark rainforest and average shutter speed is around 1/80s and below on ISO 1600 at f5.9 with my Fieldscope at 500mm. My questions is, what lens would you choose to compliment the 300mm ? Either the new Nikon 800mm f5.6 or 600mm VR II ?

Or is it better for me to get new body such as Nikon 3s or D4 or D800 ? This purchase most likely will be by next year :bg3:

These lenses would be use mainly for my bird photography tours and the Fieldscope for birding tours. So both has different usage. Some of my Digiscoping pictures can be seen at Nikon EDG website at Digiscoping under Digiscoping Gallery section http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/edg/top/index.htm under the name Azahari Reyes @ Jason and in my birding blog at http://horukuru.blogspot.com

Thanks !

[Roger Clark]

Hi Jason,
Reach (meaning pixels on subject for a subject small in the frame, like many birds) is a combination of focal length and pixel size (and not sensor size). So, if you want a new camera and more reach, be sure the pixel size will help. Smaller pixels will give more pixels on the subject.

Roger

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Hi Jason,
Reach (meaning pixels on subject for a subject small in the frame, like many birds) is a combination of focal length and pixel size (and not sensor size). So, if you want a new camera and more reach, be sure the pixel size will help. Smaller pixels will give more pixels on the subject.

Roger

Forgive me Rover, but I don't understand the meaning of "Smaller pixels will give more pixels on the subject" ?. Does D800 would be a good choice if I have only 300mm for birding ?

Or D3s and D4 would be a good choice with 300mm ? I'm leaning into these 2 because of the speed and high ISO capability.

[Sinuhe Hahn]

What Roger is referring to is pixel density - correct me if I'm wrong.
The D800 has a higher density than the D4: 36mp vs 16mp.
The D7000 has the same pixel density as the D800 ie 16mp in both cameras when in DX mode.
If you crop with the D4 vs the D800 cameras, the D800 will permit a better final picture, as the number of pixels is higher in the final image.
Provided you're sticking to DX, the difference between the D7000 and D800 will be minimal - barring the added features of the newer sensor / algorithms in the D800.
Hope this is correct and understandable.

[Roger Clark]

Forgive me Rover, but I don't understand the meaning of "Smaller pixels will give more pixels on the subject" ?. Does D800 would be a good choice if I have only 300mm for birding ?

Or D3s and D4 would be a good choice with 300mm ? I'm leaning into these 2 because of the speed and high ISO capability.

Hello Jason,

To answer your question on pixel size, please see figure 3 at: http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/telephoto_reach/
The D800 would be a good choice because of its small pixels. I'm not sure if the frame rate and autofocus are fast enough (experienced Nikon users will need to comment). See Sinuhe's response (Sinuhe, you have it correct regarding pixel density).

Regarding D3 and D4 having high ISO capability. There is a misconception about pixel size and high ISO capability. Here are three articles that will tell the true story:
http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/iso/
This article on nightscapes shows in Figures 4a, 4b a smaller pixel camera outperforming a large pixel camera: http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/nightscapes/
Telephoto reach and pixel size is discussed here: http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/telephoto.system.performance/

I do not know the Nikon product line very well, but I would choose the camera with the smallest pixels that also has good aufofocus accuracy and speed.

Roger

[Gregor Bergquist]

Wanting better reach and quality, you are starting a expensive walk. Been there with Nikon, this is my suggestion step by step.

1) Expand your reach with TC-14, and TC-20.
2) Buy 600mm and D800 (sell 300mm + D7000, because D800 and 70-200mm and tc-14 will substitute 300mm in most cases, D800 makes D7000 obsolete) No experience of 800mm - but my guess is that 600mm f/4 and tc-14 is close to equal
3) Buy a second camera with better speed and buffer, like D4. Today I would opt for a used D3s.

/Gregor