| Joined: | Thu Apr 19th, 2012 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 4424 |
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How much do you need to pull in?
Presumably the maximum, commensurate with weight, usability and IQ...
The D500 has a decent sensor it seems, that should allow heavier cropping than previous DX bodies. Coupled with outstanding higher ISO performance, Iain's comments not withstanding, in which case get a D3200 and save a bunch of cash...
I would have thought an f4 300mm + a good 1.4X extender could be a good way to go. Smaller, lighter and a useful combination. F6.3 won't bother the D500 under most conditions, unless you want pix of roosting Blackbirds?
The consideration of it being inviting to take out is important, it needs to be your friend, not something you have to endure. That was one reason I parted with my 400 f3.5, it was a good lens but pretty heavy and not sufficiently more pulling power than the 300 f2.8.
Better to sneak another couple of yards closer, or ignore opportunities which are out of range completely. That's where fieldcraft comes in, that is zero weight and costs nothing; unfortunately I don't possess it. Phil Tomkinson, http://www.wildsnaps.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk has it in spades and it shows in his wonderful wildlife photography.
My kenko tc worked well with previous prime lenses...less so with zooms. So I have little doubt it would work acceptably well with the new 300mm ...giving 420mm (630mm on DX). Add the extra pixel cropping capacity of the D500 and I have a feeling this option would be workable.
I also have the feeling ( maybe Graham, Iain and other wildlife shooters would refute or support this notion) that despite the zoom option, with wildlife subjects you invariably use the zoom at maximum setting most of the time...and even then crop.
So unless you can afford an 800mm lens or gain access to closer proximity, the wide end of a zoom maybe unnecessary?
I would happily take a 700g 300mm about with me 'just in case' I happened on a wildlife opportunity.
Maybe I am not very dedicated to the cause.
Last edited on Tue May 31st, 2016 11:35 by Eric
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Eric