Topside Telephoto needed

Hi Everyone -

My wife and I will be in the Silver Banks next spring hopefully photographing whales topside and U/W.. I have no experience with telephotos and have read a few topics here (wetpixel) regarding lens options.

We shoot with Nikon and I'm looking for a little advice on what to buy. I will need two lenses.

thanks in advance,

Michael and Keri Palasz

I love my Nikkor f/2.8 70-200 zoom telephoto!

Perhaps you're looking for something larger but for genral purpose/medium distances it's great. Tack sharp. I use it all the time with no tri-pod and get great results.

Thanks David.

Im not sure what Im looking for. I know we will be bouncing around on a boat chasing whales and I'll probably be catching whatever action we can. The lens will hopefully be good enough to account for user inexperience.

M.

I know we will be bouncing around on a boat chasing whales

The lens I referenced above is certainly not the cheapest you could find but it does inlude what they refer to as a "Vibration Reduction" system(only works with certain bodies). That might be just the thing for bouncing around on a boat. Perhaps someone who knows more than I do can tell us if this is just a gimmick or a valuable feature.

The 70-200 VR is no gimmick. By far the best lens I own.

Below shot is handheld:

Aperture: f/ 2.8

Shutter Speed: 1/30

ISO: 200

Focal length: 200mm

I've also done lots of hand held shot with this lens at 400mm F/5.6 with a 2x Teleconvertor.

Thanks Jim -

Do you think this lens is long enough for whale tale shots?

M.

Mike, I decided on the 80-400VR and have been extremely happy with it's results. This is not a fast focus sports lens, but it is very sharp and the extra reach without having to use a TC is nice.

Karl

Hi Mike

I went with a relatively cheap telephoto solution, the Nikkor 28-200mm. Massive zoom range and I am very happy with the results.

I am about to move to Australia and am thinking over the VR 75-200 - especially since seeing David's pics! Bear in mind the 1.7 digital multiplier effect on digital - and then add a TC..... 200mm becomes a pretty long lens

Thanks Karl and Tim -

Are there any other manufactures that might be considered like Sigma? Ive been pretty happy with their 15mm FE for U/W...

Is AF used in zoom Telephoto or manual focus mostly?

M.

I use autofocus for everything.

Sigma makes a 70-200 2.8 as well.

I would recomend testing out various lenses before making your decision.

For me, I can't live without AF-S or the HSM equivilant in my telephoto lenses. Especially on the D70.

In addition to paying extra for fast focusing, I find that fast glass is worth the extra expense as well.

The Sigma 120-300 F/2.8 is currently on my wish list, although shooting from a boat, you'll probably want the VR lens.

My wife and I will be in the Silver Banks next spring hopefully photographing whales topside and U/W..  I have no experience with telephotos and have read a few topics here (wetpixel) regarding lens options.

 

We shoot with Nikon and I'm looking for a little advice on what to buy.  I will need two lenses.

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Michael, Keri,

Probably a good place to start is: what's your budget?

I assume you are looking to have 2 identical lenses (1 each) or would you prefer a combination? (for instance have 1 shorter but faster lens - such as a 200 2.8 and one longer slower such as a 400 5.6, or zooms within that range?)

Steve

Hey Steve -

I was thinking two different lenses.. Not sure if there is reduction in quality with zoom telephotos... (they seem less expensive than primes). Not worried about budget... I threw that out the door when I started this habit. Well, wait, Im not going to pay 5K for lens...guess I should point that out.... Seems like what we have been talking about here are lenses around 1.5K so far...

m.

nice gallery, by the way.

Thanks Michael,

There's definately some good recommendations already in this thread. I used to be of the "prime lens only" fraternity, but I bought an 80-400 VR recently, and it's great for travelling with, although the focus moves at glacial speed

Zooms have really come a long way....

The 70-200 VR is a better lens (and more expensive). At F2.8 you could put a teleconvertor on this and it will still yield great results. It also has a silent wave motor and a better implementation of Nikon's Vibration Reduction (the 80-400 was one of their first attempts and whilst good, it has been refined since)

As for primes in this budget range - the 300 F4 is an excellent lens, and for this sort of money, you could buy a 1.4 teleconvertor to go with it.

But that's just the Nikon offerings - you'll often get more for your money (and sometimes better lenses) by looking at the other Nikon-compatible lens manufacterers

There's a few of these lenses reviewed on Thom Hogan's site : http://www.bythom.com/

Happy shopping!

Steve

Hey Steve -

I was thinking two different lenses..  Not sure if there is reduction in quality with zoom telephotos... (they seem less expensive than primes).  Not worried about budget... I threw that out the door when I started this habit.  Well, wait,  Im not going to pay 5K for lens...guess I should point that out....  Seems like what we have been talking about here are lenses around 1.5K so far...

nice gallery, by the way.

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For maximum coverage, I suggest you look at the Nikon 80-400VR, Sigma 80-400 OS, Nikon 70-200VR. I would not suggest a prime as you lose flexibility once the whale moves etc. The 80-400VR is very capable of catching breaches....even on a D70.

VR isn't essential since you'll be on a zodiac so that sort of jostling no VR can compensate for. VR will be more useful when you try to shoot at slower shutter speeds for effect and light conditions. Note, VR/OS only compensates for your movement, too slow a shutter speed and subject movement will still make for blurry pics.

Fluke and breach shots require fast AF. I think the 70-200VR is better suited.

Here are a few pics done with a canon 1D2 and 70-200 with IS turned off and the first 1 from the D70 with 100-300 f4 Sigma. All shot in africa.

Since you're talking boat shots, I agree with the 70-200 VR with a TC.

I personally stick with Nikon glass, just picky I guess. Colder and always worth the extra $ for me.

All the best, James

I have the Nikon 70-200 f 2.8 VR with a 1.7X teleconvertor (don't get the 2X it's old technology) which takes it to 340 mm when I need it and even then it's a 4.8 lens.

What I like about the lens is the quality of the images and the speed of the focus.

And, FYI VR has to modes, normal and active. Normal is for you stationary but maybe panning. Active is for when you and the subject are moving as when shooting from a car or boat.

http://www.bythom.com/70200VRlens.htm

Sample pics here.

http://www.peterpeterpeter.com/top-side-2/galleries/2005-07/

and here

http://www.peterpeterpeter.com/top-side-2/...-rixen/2005-07/

Thanks everyone for all the information..Looks like the nikon 70-200VR is very popular.

Peter - is that the Nikon TC-17E and Nikon TC-14E that I should be looking at from BH photo? They have so many listed.

M.

Michael, yes TC-17E.

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5

Hey Guys-

Has anyone tried the new Nikon 55-200 DX I saw on Nikon's website?

M.

Michael, stop that! I have already spent far too much money...