a guy named EvenJob2no will rent that lens to you if you are a pro in the know with the Nikon snow

Care to share the lens?

I'm guessing that the two hawk shots were done with auto-focus? Ouch, so close and yet not quite.

Still, good stuff. I want to take my camera to downtown houston one weekend to do some shooting. There's some interesting subjects including some neat architecture.

The 600 f/4 VR is right around US$10K and is the most expensive Nikon I'm aware of...

Stumbled across something while researching to teach the photography merit badge(long story I'ma sucker)



Anyways....
YouTube - PhotoClassPro's Channel

Some pretty good videos there with good tips


he also has a podcast... search "phototips" on itunes

That's what I find too...

That's why I'm curious on this mystery lens....

What are the pros and cons of using a tele? Lets say I use a 2x tele with my 55-200mm to get an effective 110-400mm. I think I'm correct in saying a true 400mm would be better but how much difference does it really make? I can find a used tele in the $300-350 range while I arrange to sell my soul for a real 400mm (or greater) lens. Thoughts?

http://thepirata.com/wp-content/uplo...igma_lense.jpg

AFAIK, the only lens in that price range with a Nikon mount is the absolutely monstrous Sigma 200-500mm 2.8 . About 35 lbs. (hand holding not recommended :D )

It is so large, the above picture looks like it is a photoshop fake ..... or a missile launcher.

will get model number of mega mongo lenzz from my buddy when i see him.


99.9999999% of the time i have mine on "A" fer AUTO. thats just how i roll, and it suits me fine. hell most of the time i'm scrambling to get the damn thing out of the case when i see something or switching it to ON and removing lenzz cap all the while TRYING NOT TO SPILL MY BEER!



i need to be happy. i think come next payday i just may mosey down to tempe camera and pick up some more goodies for mine.


the GPS gizmo is high on my list as well. think it would be neat zapping pics of critters while scouting and be able to refer back to gps coordinates and then go to map where game were seen. so btwn date/time of day and GPS you will be able to have an accurate record of where wildlife is at what time, time of year and where.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1267017993.jpg

Yes, the fixed focal-length lens would be better both in speed and image quality. In some cases/configurations (with digital), you can actually get the same or better results by simply up-sizing the image! There may be other issues with a TC as well, such as auto-focus compatibility, etc. Also, remember that when using one, you decrease the widest aperture of the lens. So if you put a 2x TC on a 200m f4, it will become a 400m f8 lens.

You can also look at the Nikon 80-400 or Sigma 150-500. The Sigma gets mixed reviews, seems like there are some good lenses and bad ones so you may need to return a lens to get a satisfactory one.

Used Nikon 80-400VR lenses look to be in the 1100-1300 range, the sigma new is $1000.

For casual use you'd be fine with either of these. For serious birding, wildlife the fixed 400 with a 1.4 or 1.7 tele is needed. Or even the 500mm or 600mm.

Do some research on the 2.0 Nikon TC. It is better to stick with the 1.7 (or 1.4).

"A" is for aperture priority..... You still have to adjust the aperture.

"P" would be "Auto", letting the camera control shutter and aperture.

Or you can turn the D5000 into a glorified P&S by selecting "Auto" or "Auto [No Flash].

Will do. I picked 2x just for math purposes in my question. I'm math challenged ;)

Dave - won't lose he lose autofocus capabilities with the D5000 since the 55-200 is a f5.6 at the long end and using a 1.4TC or 1.7TC will push it out to an f8-f9 max aperture?

Looks like TC's are not even recommended for that lens...
Teleconverter for AF-S 55-200 VR - Photo.net Nikon Forum

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll save my pennies for the real deal.

Watch the camera forums and the better photo equipment sites when you are ready.
Adorama sells used gear: Buy Used Cameras, Photographic and Video Equipment from Adorama Camera.

B&H Photo sells used gear: Used Equipment | B&H Photo Video

KEH for used gear: keh.com

Nikonians.org is a good nikon only board: nikonians.org

Thanks for the links. And thanks to everyone else for the insight and opinions, I really appreciate them all. I'll post some pics when the weather clears up enough to take some and you guys can critique them for me ;) I'm sure I'll have more questions soon enough.