Interested in Nature Photography.

[Chris Appleseed]

Hi,

I'm a beginner (>1 year) and am interested in nature/wildlife photography. Currently, I'm using a Nikon D90 with their 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G kit lens, 35mm f/1.8G prime and a 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G telephoto lens. I usually use my 55-300mm lens for birding photography and i find that the maximum 300mm focal length is not enough for capturing small birds.

Therefore, I'm thinking of taking a step up and getting the Tamron (Nikon Mount) 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD. Understand that I would lose out on the aperture part but I can easily decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO. However, the range would be perfect when it comes to taking pictures of birds as well as wildlife.

Any piece of advice could you give me on getting the Tamron 150-600mm lens for nature/wildlife photography?

Thanks.

 

[Turbonetics]

Base on your instances and your interest in advancing more into bird photography,I would say go for it and probably u won't need the 55-300mm anymore.
I shall not bring in other similar lenses for comparison since this is the only lens that u would consider.
anyway,there is no perfect lens for wildlife or bird photography.

 

[illumnae]

I am a newbie interested in birding/wildlife as well and I recently purchased the Canon mount of this lens. As you have correctly identified, the small aperture makes it hard to shoot in low light - past 2 rainy weekends I've had to push ISO up to 1600 and 3200. I still get the shot, but it's pretty noisy on my Canon 600D/70D. Other than that, I love this lens. It's big, but not super heavy as equivalent focal length telephotos, so you can still handhold it for 2-3 hour sessions (longer if you are stronger). Further, at that price point, there's really no better lens. I think that this is the best entry level lens to proper birding/wildlife shooting, serving also as a bridge while you save up enough for the pricey super telephoto primes. The only other alternatives I think would be the Sigma 50-500 or 150-500, both of which are similar weight, lower focal length and not as well reviewed as the Tamron.

I agree with Turbonetics that you are likely to not need the 55-300 anymore. After I purchased this lens, I sold off my Tamon 70-300VC and haven't missed it yet. The Tamron 70-300VC was my biding lens for about a month before I gave up due to reach being insufficient.

 

[An drew]

I think that is a good choice.
You can also consider getting a monopod to improve the shots.

 

[Chris Appleseed]

Base on your instances and your interest in advancing more into bird photography,I would say go for it and probably u won't need the 55-300mm anymore.
I shall not bring in other similar lenses for comparison since this is the only lens that u would consider.
anyway,there is no perfect lens for wildlife or bird photography.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking at that Tamron 150-600mm mostly. But am open to other options that may be better. What matters to me is range, aperture, Vibration Reduction and Autofocus Speed.

 

[Chris Appleseed]

I think that is a good choice.
You can also consider getting a monopod to improve the shots.

I currently own a tripod, with a video head attached, was wondering if a monopod is still necessary when doing nature photography or will my tripod still cut it.

 

[An drew]

Tripod will of course be more steady. But for a lens with VC a monopod is usually sufficient under good light. A simpler swivel head would be sufficient. It will be easier to walk with a monopod. You may not need to up your ISO so much if you have some support vs handholding.

 

[davidc34]

I've got that lens and it's phenomenal, I absolutely love it. Once I get my latest set of images shot with it online I'll share some links.

I can definitely recommend it though, 600mm on FF is great and the extra "reach" on a crop body is really useful too.

 

[gundamseed84]

alternative can consider nikon v1 with sigma 150-500 via adapter. V1 sensor may be smaller but take a look at Unclefai's posts and see that it is still capable.

2nd hand price of this setup shld be approx same or cheaper than tamron 150-600.

or v1 with your 55-300 first also can.

Not a nikon user but given that D90 is not that new, the noise level between D90 and V1 may not be that different. But V1 may have the edge in af.

Support wise get a monopod with a sturdy ballhead like sirui k20 or k30. However you can try out your current video head and tripod first. No need buy all in a go.

 

[jeezuinn]

Hi there, I'm a D90 user as well, and also waiting for the tamron 150-600. I have been shooting some birding photos, and personally i prefer to use a tripod. With a long lens like that, you will need a good sturdy ballhead, as well as a good set of tripod legs to dampen the vibrations. Shooting in less than satisfactory light conditions can really prove to be an issue, as the D90 does not really handle noise that well. This is especailly difficult for BIF shots, but can still be done with a little practise and lots of patience.



This picture was shot with a tripod.

 

[lewissac]

How about 80-400mm?

 

[pcool]

Hi, Sigma 150-500mm OS will not works with Nikon V1 and FT1.

 

[skf]

Hi, Sigma 150-500mm OS will not works with Nikon V1 and FT1.

:think:

Hmm.. I might be wrong, but I think with there are different firmware versions and the later versions do support V1/FT1 combo. There was once I was looking at used versions of this lens at a 2nd hand shop. There was one copy that works and another copy that does not.. Best thing is to bring the Ft1/V1 along to try when buying.

 

[pcool]

:think:

Hmm.. I might be wrong, but I think with there are different firmware versions and the later versions do support V1/FT1 combo. There was once I was looking at used versions of this lens at a 2nd hand shop. There was one copy that works and another copy that does not.. Best thing is to bring
the Ft1/V1 along to try when buying.

I brought my Sigma to service centre and upgrade my firmware to latest version, test it on the spot, and confirmed it is not supported. I was told that another guy also tried it earlier. I am ok with manual focus but problem is that it can't detect the Sigma and status show as missing len. Yeah, I do read from internet that it's works for some. Guess I am the unlucky one.

 

[davidc34]

Personally I'd suggest investing in the 150-600 then, when budget allows, upgrading the body. You'll still have the quality glass and the new body will give it a whole new lease of life. Sticking a tiny sensored v1 on it might give a bit extra reach but it's not likely to increase the number of keeper shots you'll get.

The 150-600 is fantastic, since getting it for my birthday I've developed an interest in garden birds I've never had before! Once I've hit the 50 post minimum I'll link to some images.

 

[An drew]

Personally I'd suggest investing in the 150-600 then, when budget allows, upgrading the body. You'll still have the quality glass and the new body will give it a whole new lease of life. Sticking a tiny sensored v1 on it might give a bit extra reach but it's not likely to increase the number of keeper shots you'll get.

The 150-600 is fantastic, since getting it for my birthday I've developed an interest in garden birds I've never had before! Once I've hit the 50 post minimum I'll link to some images.

Looking forward to your sharing.

 

[Chris Appleseed]

How about 80-400mm?

I originally considered on the 80-400mm. However, I found that the Tamron 150-600mm is a better deal as it's more than 2 times cheaper than the Nikon as well as it has better reach. The only thing setting me back is the f/6.3 aperture at 600mm, that's a cause for concern to me.

 

[Lawrence Quek]

hmmmm... im a noob in this. but would a teleconverter do the job?

 

[gundamseed84]

depends on which teleconvertor u are uaing and what lens. Basically teleconvertor reduces reduces the widest aperture your setup can take and may result in inability for your camera body to af.

For e.g. if a camera body cannot af beyond f5.6 then having a body with aperture 5.6 and 1.4x tele would result in user losing af.

 

[slow trekker]

I brought my Sigma to service centre and upgrade my firmware to latest version, test it on the spot, and confirmed it is not supported. I was told that another guy also tried it earlier. I am ok with manual focus but problem is that it can't detect the Sigma and status show as missing len. Yeah, I do read from internet that it's works for some. Guess I am the unlucky one.

I brought mine to Sigma Service Centre, they said they had to get something from Japan, 2 weeks later I send my lens in and after 3 days the lens was ready and it works. I didn't ask what they did to it as it was foc and it works.