The cheapest/best way to get 500mm?

[-=Monty=-]

Well its about time for a major upgrade for me. I'm currently using a D70, 18-70mm and a 70-300mm, so anything's going to be an improvement.

Anyway, i've already decided that i'll be getting a D300, and that i'll just keep using the 18-70mm. However i desperately need a replacement for a big zoom lens.

I have about $1300 MAX to spend on a lens, and i would like to get to 500mm, or close to it.

I've been looking at the 50-500mm Sigma, and the 170-500mm too, which are both well within my price range (on ebay or from hk). What type of quality am i going to be getting from these?

From the little reading i've done it seems that the general opinion is that the 50-500mm is better than the 170-500mm. However if the difference is only very small, i'd rather go for the cheaper 170-500mm.

Main reason i'm wanting the lens is that i'm going to South Africa, and the Kruger National Park later this month, and i'd like to get some nice bird and wildlife shots.

[dawesy]

The Bigma is a good lens for the money. I was in the same position before I went to Africa and ended up with one based on what I read at the time, which also seemed to agree 50-500 outshone the 170-500.

A number of my Africa shots are on RB. Good bigma shots would include Zebra - Serengeti, African Buffalo, King of the Jungle, Lion's Eye and the Cheetah shots.

It was pretty good to handle and that were all done hand-held or just resting on something handy in the truck. I've also used it for footy on a monopod with reasonable success, the main issues being technique, slow frame rate on my Pentax and technique

There are a couple of others here getting good briding shots with this lens. I can find some more samples if you like. I even have a few at 50mm when we ended up right next to animals, don't neglect that as an advantage. It can be a pain changing lenses out in the dust when you end up with an elephant 2 metres away!

[radar]

Monty,

cheapest and best are usually not used together when talking 500mm

The 50-500 can do the job for you but it is not called the Bigma for nothing. Have a look at big pix bird shots, a lot of them have been taken with the bigma.

Have you considered spending a bit more? I know you said $1300 is your MAX but the the Nikkor 80-400mm VR is not that much more from the bargains section. It will be faster at the long end, 5.6 instead of 6.3 on the Sigmas. It also has VR which will give you that bit of extra in low light. I know that the D300 is much better in low light but nothing beats a lower ISO to remove noise. You do lose some reach but for the large animals, 400mm will be fine.

The Nikkor should also retain its value more then the Sigmas if you want to sell it when you return from Africa.

Food for thought, anyways.

André

[-=Monty=-]

I'd be more than happy with the nikon 80-400mm, however its just that little bit too much. I originally planned on buying the 170-500 initially, which is something like $400 cheaper than the 50-500mm.

So is the 170-500mm really that much worse? And how about the Sigma 80-400mm?

Maybe i can find a used 80-400mm somewhere.

[Alpha_7]

Maybe i can find a used 80-400mm somewhere.

They do pop up from time to time, it might be worth looking around a little.

[Glen]

Monty, the cheapest way would be with a 500mm reflex, Nikon or other brand (Killakoala on this board has taken some great shots with that lens) and best is probably the Nikon 500mm f4. Your choices are in between those two.

[Pa]

this might be an option Nikon 80-200 mm f2.8 $989.00...plus x2 converter Nikon TC-20E II $427.00 ....

or

Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG APO HSM $1025.00 plus x2 converter Sigma New APO 2X EX AF Converter $253.00

in the bargain section of this sight

[Glen]

Pa, the AF Nikon 80-200 doesn't match with that TC without modification. The AFS version does but is held in high regard and was made in limited numbers so hard to come by.

[big pix]

Bigma is the one........ all these where shot hand held...... http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3188300

......... I have just had my bigma re-chipped and calibrated as it was a tad soft at infinity....... anywhere else it was fine, waiting for a fine day to test

[Pa]

thanks glen, i didn't know that

[-=Monty=-]

Bigma is the one........ all these where shot hand held...... http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/3188300

......... I have just had my bigma re-chipped and calibrated as it was a tad soft at infinity....... anywhere else it was fine, waiting for a fine day to test

I've just been convinced.

Thanks.

[Pa]

some amazing images on the site big pix.

[big pix]

......... I have just had my bigma re-chipped and calibrated as it was a tad soft at infinity....... anywhere else it was fine, waiting for a fine day to test

Thanks guys.......... the above service through CR Kenndy Sydney took about 4-5 weeks as said lens was sent to melbourne........

when shooting birds or animals try and keep your speed above 750th as you can get a bit of camera movement....... I now use a Gimble tripod head......... it helps with slower speeds...... have a look at the manfrotto bits and pieces as I think you can get a camera clamps for pipes also good for the frame of trucks in Africa also a bean bag is a must...... fill with sand or beans when you get there........ I also have a very small window mount that goes onto the window, good for shy birds

[-=Monty=-]

Sand bag was my first option, hehe.
However i'd like something that could clamp onto a car window. Coming from South Africa, and knowing the Kruger fairly well, we'll be doing all the driving ourselves.

[big pix]

Sand bag was my first option, hehe.
However i'd like something that could clamp onto a car window. Coming from South Africa, and knowing the Kruger fairly well, we'll be doing all the driving ourselves.

.......B&H..... very little in Australia or Bush Hawk.com