Best Nikon lens for handheld birds in flight

I shoot with the D300 and typically use a 200-400 f4 Nikkor lens. It is too heavy for me to use handheld for birds in flight. I guess I could lift more weights but maybe a lighter lens would get me faster results :) What lens would be best?

When I read your title, the 200-400 was what I was going to suggest.

I'm not sure here's another way to get the same reach at similar apertures. I know folks who really like the 300 f/2.8 VR with either the 1.4x or 1.7x TCs for bird flight photography. However in that case you aren't saving much weight (maybe a pound).

Another option to consider is the 70-200 VR2 + TC2 III. I haven't tried it myself but I'd be curious to see what the IQ and focusing speed is like with the new TC.

Depends on the required reach.

I use both the 300f4 AFS with a TC14EII and the 70-300VR for close in large subject flight shots and they work great.

70-200+1.7x and 70-300VR(much lighter) both work well. My daughter has been using these from age 14 and manages fine but does prefer the 70-300. Works best if plenty of light so you can close down a stop or two to maximise IQ at 300mm

I agree to the answer "it depends."

Assuming that you're healthy, and if you're willing to keep trying (or perhaps plus some strength training), the more you use the 200-400, the stronger you will get and the more manageable it becomes.

Although 300f2.8 is one pound lighter, it is also shorter. It may not seems like much but its shorter length actually does make a difference when hand-holding it to track the birds. With the new TC 2III, it's a poor man 600 right there.

Otherwise, 70-200 +TCs, 70-300 (not TC-able :)), and 300f4 + TCs, as suggested, are good options to consider.

I prefer the 300f4 as it's incredibly sharp, works well with the TC14 and 17EII and focuses down to 4' so you can easily use it for flowers, bugs, etc.

A lot of it depends on the size of your intended subjects and the proximity of them as well.

i agree with Jim Amanda. i prefer my 300mm f4 af-s for birds in flight. it is light, short, f4, focuses fast, sharp wide open, renders smooth backgrounds without harsh bokeh, accepts TC's well, and is not too hard on the wallet. it also works well on both DX and FX.

the 300mm f4 af-s is the last frontier in price before the big guns, 300mm f2.8 and up. :)

I have used the 70-300mm but not to delighted with the aperture. I prefer to shoot at f4 to f5.6 for BIF, with this lens, it seems best (at 300mm) at f7.1 and greater. Size and weight is hard to beat, very easy to hold and carry

I'd recommend the Sigma 150-500. I had a friend who swore by it and he showed me some images that looked quite sharp. The opinions on the internet vary greatly about this lens, so I personally wasn't sure about it until I had the opportunity to try one out myself. I was impressed with the sharpness at 500mm, especially when stopped down to f8. I currently use the 200-400 for birds in flight but it is somewhat heavy. My main bird lens,however, is the Sigma 300-800 and I wanted a lighter lens to carry with me for birds in flight. The Sigma 150-500 will be my next lens purchase.

I am using the 80-400vr. The big drawnbacks are no tc's fit and it's not very fast focusing but it is light and it seems to get the job done. I also try to shoot it at f8 as this seems to produce sharper results. I'll trade you for your 200-400:D.

Thanks everyone... great information! Dan - I have the 80-400 but it is so slow especially compared to the 200-400... got spoiled. Looks like I need to make a decision between the 300 and the 70-300 or dedicate more time to lifting weights :-)

Amanda,

My wife and I share a D300 and D700, we have the 200-400 and 80-400. Like you, I find the 80-400 focus too slow. I've recently noticed that I'm often using the 200-400 at 250 to 300 on the D700 for BIF. We've decided to get a 70-200 to use with the D300. We have a TC14, will think about the new TC20.

Alan