[nilanjanray]

So I was playing around with the Nikon 80-400mm AF-S lens, which weighs appx. 1kg more than the lens I usually use.

The latest generation VR (IS for Canon folks) is extremely good. I am yet to shoot it in the field (I will be renting it for my upcoming Kanha/Tadoba roadtrip), but I am able to take sharpish handheld photos at 1/60s at 400mm, and even some at 1/20 sec at 400mm.

It is easier to shoot (balance) when fully extended - feels like shooting a smallish gun.

In the field, I will probably maintain a minimum shutter speed of 1/150s just to be safe, depending on the light situation. But it is good to know that one can shoot at 1/60s if required.

The AF is fast - seems marginally faster than the 70-300mm at the moment.

The tripod collar is a pain. Too small to hold it and carry the lens. And it gets in the way.

I plan to handhold the lens 100% of the time, no monopod or beanbag. Will need to figure out a way how to rest the weight for hours at an end, yet be ready to shoot fast.

So here is what you have to do to get 100mm extra reach in the Nikon telezoom world:
1. Carry 1kg more weight
2. Pay 1.5Lakhs extra, if you were to buy the new 80-400 over the 70-300mm AF-S

[Sawyer]

Once in a while I take a blue sky photo at infinity/f16 to check for sensor dust by jacking up contrast all the way up. I noticed a few spots, one of which is almost certainly oil, on my 2500 actuation old nikon d610, that were not there when it was new.
Now for my actual use, since these aren't going to be a problem, I am going to ignore this.
However, a couple of questions to anyone that has successfully dealt with this:
1. If they don't matter to picture taking, is there any problem in just leaving things the way they are, until picture taking is affected? Leaving a sensor undisturbed isn't going to make a spot more difficult to take out later?
2. Assuming that one wants to do the cleaning at home, is there any good pointer/link to best practice?
PS: Some research turned up this answer to Q2:
http://www.howtogeek.com/162413/how-...s-dslr-sensor/
Seems very sensible advice on the how to.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

So here is what you have to do to get 100mm extra reach in the Nikon telezoom world:

Have you tried using a Tele-converter, say 1.4X, with your 70-300mm for the extra reach ? I know it is better suited with a f 2.8.

I have been thinking of getting one for my 55-300. I am fine shooting wildlife manually and I assume in day light it should be fine.

Anyone tried a Tele-Converter [1.3x or 2.0x] with a f/ 4.5 Zoom lens ?

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by M35

I have been thinking of getting one for my 55-300. I am fine shooting wildlife manually and I assume in day light it should be fine.

55-300 is a DX lens, I.e. glass element is quite close to mount. Nikon TC will not mount on this lens.

You need AF-S 70-300 lens (or cheaper manual 70-300) for TC.

Alternatively, you can use Kenko TC if you have 7100 or better camera that can focus at F8 (Nikon does AF at aperture wide open even if shot is going to be taken at higher F number).

[R2D2]

The Nikon 70-300 and 55-300 are not compatible with any Nikon TC. Please check compatibility charts before purchasing.

ttp://www.nikonsupport.eu/europe/Manuals/DrdIaQvRZv/TC_converter_compatibility-EN_01.pdf

[M35]

Originally Posted by R2D2

The Nikon 70-300 and 55-300 are not compatible with any Nikon TC. Please check compatibility charts before purchasing.

Thanks for the reply.

I know the 55-300 DX [In fact No DX lens is] isn't compatible with a Nikon TC. I am contemplating on a Kenko DGX MC4 or Pro 1.4x TC.

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Alternatively, you can use Kenko TC if you have 7100 or better camera that can focus at F8 (Nikon does AF at aperture wide open even if shot is going to be taken at higher F number).

You meant AF, I assume. I know 55-300 AF is slow in the first place. On a D3100 +TC , it only gets worse.

Will a D3100 + Kenko TC [1.4x] + 55-300 at f/4.5 f work for manual focus for fast wildlife shots?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by M35

Will a D3100 + Kenko TC [1.4x] + 55-300 at f/4.5 f work for manual focus for fast wildlife shots?

A 1.4x TC drops your aperture by 1 stop. So your F/4.5 lens will be approx. F/6.3.

It will work with MF and AE for sure but the drawback is the viewfinder also will become slightly dimmer making it hard to use MF. Personally if you ask me you are better off upgrading your lens than buying a TC.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by M35

Will a D3100 + Kenko TC [1.4x] + 55-300 at f/4.5 f work for manual focus for fast wildlife shots?

It should work with Kenko 1.4x in full manual.

Noticed that TC is available on rent for 500 Rs and Sigma 150 - 500 for 1800 Rs.

Might be a good idea to try both before buying (might be cheaper to rent Sigma 150 - 500 or Nikon 80-400 for few days as compared to buying TC).

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

It should work with Kenko 1.4x in full manual.

Noticed that TC is available on rent for 500 Rs and Sigma 150 - 500 for 1800 Rs.

Might be a good idea to try both before buying (might be cheaper to rent Sigma 150 - 500 or Nikon 80-400 for few days as compared to buying TC).

That is quite steep. The TC is around 25K. Rent the long zoom and try it out. Not only AF is slow at F6+ but the quality of the zoom is nothing to boast about and becomes quite soft at the long end with the TC.

TC is viable with fast Super Telephoto primes, the IQ suffers a lot with lower end zooms.

[JASMEET MATTOO]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Noticed that 5200 is now available for 37k on Flipkat by "WS Retail".

I would recommend 5200, but this is subjective.

I have 5300, these are the benefits of 5300 over 5200

1. Higher ISO + better image quality since it removed one filter from sensor.
2. WiFi (you can take pictures from cell phone, it acts as a viewfinder for DSLR)
3. GPS

I do not find WiFi that useful and GPS is mostly used for travel/vacation photos (E.g. you can quickly sort all photos taken in Coorg / Delhi) .

Thanks for your suggestion and to everybody else for their inputs. I just got my Nikon D5200 with a 18-55mm yesterday from Croma. The cost is Rs.41650. They had a scheme running which according to them closed on 31st May, but when I insisted to the staff the same scheme was given to me. Here are the list of freebies :

1) An Additional 16 GB card M.r.p Rs.850 (8 GB card is already being given as a standard feature)
2) A tripod (M.r.p 1200)
3) A 2600 Mah powerbank charger for mobiles/ tablets M.r.p Rs.2000
4) Disc cleaner CD M.r.p Rs.200.

Yesterday evening pretty much went into exploring the same. Got to get ready for the clicking spree.

My one and a half year wait comes to an end

[M35]

Originally Posted by Aroy

That is quite steep. The TC is around 25K.

TC from Kenko doesn’t cost 25k but in the 10-15k range. Also the Nikon TC isn't compatible with my DX 55-300.

Even with no TC, there is nothing to write home about, the AF performance of my D3100 + 55-300mm VR for fast shots in the first place. And closer you get towards the 300mm, softer gets the image. With the subject even in slight motion, it simply doesn’t focus, when you want it to, hence doing it in full manual these days.

Originally Posted by R2D2

Personally if you ask me you are better off upgrading your lens than buying a TC.

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Might be a good idea to try both before buying (might be cheaper to rent Sigma 150 - 500 or Nikon 80-400 for few days as compared to buying TC).

Thanks all for the replies.

Just ordered a Sigma 150-500mm today. Should reach in a couple of days.
Now I will have the following lenses to be used with my humble D3100

• Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D for portraits and Macro with Extention Tubes + LED flash ring lights
• 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC (HSM) for ultra wide angles [ bought recently]
• 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS (HSM) for super telephotos

Gotten rid of the following.

• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55 - 300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18 - 55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

Never knew this DSLR thingy is so additive and an ever expensive affair !

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by M35

Just ordered a Sigma 150-500mm today. Should reach in a couple of days.

That's cool, how much did 150-500 cost ?

Originally Posted by M35

Never knew this DSLR thingy is so additive and an ever expensive affair !

Yes, it can cost more than a hatchback

[M35]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

That's cool, how much did 150-500 cost ?

USD 860 = around INR 50k

Sigma 150-500mm

Flipkart sells it for around 62k at 9 % discount [ of the original price of 68k]

[govigov]

Does anyone know if the Tamron 150-600 is available for purchase locally?

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by govigov

Tamron 150-600

Available on Amazon, price seems to be on a higher side. Should come down in couple of months.

http://www.amazon.in/gp/offer-listing/B00HR6IPSE/