D2H & Tokina 400mm ATX

[Jim Mooney]

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I'm excited as I've been lurking for a while and this is a wonderful sight. I'm primarily a fine art photographer and shoot a lot of film (yes that old stuff that comes in long rolls :D) but I'm also a beginning, yet avid birder. I'm a Nikon guy and am looking to make photographs of the birds I see. The primary purpose will be more for record keeping/scrapbooking/listing the birds I've seen. I currently shoot a D40 and 70-300VR but I'd like something faster and with more reach, so I'm looking at assembling a birding kit of a Nikon D2h and a a Tokina 400/5.6 ATX. Does anyone use this combo? I'd love to hear of expereicnces with it and see some examples of the lens or the lens/body combo if you shoot it. All the reviews I've read have been good but practical expereicne is much appreciated.

Take care and good light to all!

Jim

[Sid Garige]

Jim,

Did you consider Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO as an alternative to Tokina? Its a very good alternative. I do see HSM version on web. Never seen one on sale sofar.

[wlliment]

Hi,

I have a Tokina At-X 400mm f/5.6 with a Nikon D80. It is a decent lens.

[Robert O'Toole]

I think the Tokina At-X 400mm f/5.6 is a rare species, I would go with sids recommendation with the Sigma 400mm f/5.6 APO, its a good to excellent performer I am told.

Robert