Which combo would you suggest? 1d3, 1d4 and d7100 under consideration

[Mike Poole]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of selling my underwater setup, and am going to re-invest the money in some decent topside gear. For my needs, I want the following - a fast long lens, a 70-200mm and a wide angle zoom.

I currently use a 1d3 with Canon 400mm f5.6, but here in 'sunny' England, all too often I need to really up the ISO losing IQ in the process, so adding a 1.4x to that combo isn't really what i want.

I've got 3 choices really for my budget, but am open to any other suggestions.

Option 1 - keep my 1d3 and 70-200 f4is and add a 500mm f4, 1.4x and 17-40
Option 2 - get a 1d4 with my current 70-200, add a 300mm f2.8 with a couple of converters and the 17-40
Option 3 - I can get a Nikon d7100 and get a non-vr 400mm f2.8 and converters, 70-200 and something like the tamron 17-50.

IQ is the main consideration, but the combo must be able to give me a fighting chance of getting sharp BIFs. I'm a firm believer that after using a system for a while you get used to it, so although I like Canon handling, I don't mind switching to Nikon if that's the best option for me. I'm used to long heavy lenses, so am ready for the handling of them

thanks

Mike

[arash_hazeghi]

D7100 is a low-end camera as far as I know, it has serious buffer limitations and its AF is no match for a Canon pro body such as the 1D4. With an obsolete none-VR lens you won't have much luck in flight, IMO the best flight shots are made handhold and a heavy old lens will put you at a great disadvantage. If you want to go Nikon your choice is the 500VR.


If you are interested in serious bird photography and more than weekend snap shots you need a good body AND a long lens. 70-200 or 300 don't cut it unless you use attraction techniques to photograph birds at close range.

If your goal is birds, I would sell everything and buy a used 1D4 and a used 500 f/4 IS.

good luck

[David Stephens]

If your goal is birds, I would sell everything and buy a used 1D4 and a used 500 f/4 IS.

good luck

Plus 1 with this advice.

[Mike Poole]

Arash / David,

Thanks for you replies, and in an ideal world, I'd have that combo - in fact it's pretty much my desired setup, money no object.

However, I need the zoom and wide angle for other shoots, so unless I drop very lucky on the 2nd hand market, the 1d4 / 500mm is out of the question unfortunately.

I have a couple of projects underway which require something around 300/400mm, and if I kept the 1d3 I could possibly squeeze in a 300mm f4 to add to the 500 (maybe I should have mentioned that earlier).

I suppose the fact I don't see too many d7100's in use for wildlife should really tell me something

[Randall Farhy]

Mike, the 300 F4L Canon lens, while good, in my limited experience is generally not well suited to birding. It's focus is slow to lock and track, (it even struggles with large race cars) and images tend to suffer chromatic aberration/ fringing when backlit. It's best use in the context of this thread would be for perched birds or slower moving subjects. If Arash's suggestion is off the table, then I believe option 2 is still your best bet.

[Don Lacy]

Option 2 would be my choice out of the three. I currently own the camera and lenses you have for option 1 and I do struggle with low light action and BIF with the 1D3 and am planning on getting a 1D4 as soon as I can swing it.

[Mike Poole]

Cheers Don / Randall, it's likely I'll end up with option 2. Something has to give somewhere along the line, so distant birds may just have to wait for now. I've got a couple of things coming up where I can get closer to my subjects so that's probably the best bet for now.

[David Stephens]

Cheers Don / Randall, it's likely I'll end up with option 2. Something has to give somewhere along the line, so distant birds may just have to wait for now. I've got a couple of things coming up where I can get closer to my subjects so that's probably the best bet for now.

By far, the best lens that you listed for birding was the 500/f4 and I'd lean toward that rig. You will gain going from the III to the 1D IV, but I think that the lens investment is the way to start and move up in body when you can afford a next step. With your 1DIII, you'll be able to shoot at 500/700 and 1000mm, plus the crop factor. The 1DIv will AF even better and the 1D X better yet, but you'll have a manageable setup with your current body.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

I think Option 1 is the best for now, with a body upgrade down the line.

I'd take Option 3 out for a couple of reasons: the buffer of the D7100 (6-8 frames and its full) and the 400 2.8 non-VR (a lens like that would really benefit from VR).