Advice needed choosing telephoto lens Tamron 150-600mm f/5.6 vs NIKKOR 600mm f/4
- Thread starter ioulia
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ioulia
New member
Very good point with a camera failure. Didn't think about it. I can always have my D7100 as a back up.
Thank you. It is printed in metal and hangs on a floating mount on my wall. I photographed it on the Boise River just outside of Boise, Idaho below Lucky Peak dam. A scramble down big rocks gets you to the waters edge sitting on said big rocks to get a birds eye view
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
Ioulia
Since you have the D7100 I would recommend purchasing the D850. I would also suggest the 600mm on the D850 and the 150-600mm on the 7100. Reason being is you may find yourself to close to your subject with the 600mm on the D7100. When my wife and I fly normally I will ship most our gear via UPS or FedEx in 2 Pelican cases. Just don’t like the idea of checking our gear and having TSA opening and handling expensive cameras and lenses etc. Also there is a very nice camera store in Bozeman (Bozeman Camera and Repair). If you are looking at doing a photography tour I would suggest contacting Dale at Franz Photo.
Since you have the D7100 I would recommend purchasing the D850. I would also suggest the 600mm on the D850 and the 150-600mm on the 7100. Reason being is you may find yourself to close to your subject with the 600mm on the D7100. When my wife and I fly normally I will ship most our gear via UPS or FedEx in 2 Pelican cases. Just don’t like the idea of checking our gear and having TSA opening and handling expensive cameras and lenses etc. Also there is a very nice camera store in Bozeman (Bozeman Camera and Repair). If you are looking at doing a photography tour I would suggest contacting Dale at Franz Photo.
As @Steve said the D500 is a far more capable camera than the D7100 especially for fast action wildlife. The D850 is a great camera and I use it mostly with the 500PF anymore. It is a bit of pixel over kill, but does allow you to crop in post, or as I frequently do with small birds etc. I quickly switch to crop DX mode in camera. I have my record button programed to push and turn the dial and switch between FX & DX modes. The biggest gain from say a D6 would be low light capability and critters are active early and late in many cases. The D780 has great low light capability for a lot less money than the D6 but at 7 FPS the frame rate is slower than my D500 or D850 (gripped with the big D6 battery) and slower is not what I am after for birds in flight etc.. If you do a lot of landscapes etc. then you might want to consider the D850 and by adding the battery grip and using the D6 battery you can still have a fairly fast wildlife camera. I try to never change lenses in the field. Frequently when I leave home I have a D500 with a Tamron 18-400, D850 with 500pf or one of my Tamron landscape lenses if that is my focus, and my gripped D500 with the Tamron 150-600 G2.
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
Agree with Ken whether you choose the D500 or the D850 I would add Nikon’s grip. I really like the feel of both bodies with the grip. You will also benefit with the FPS on both bodies. Adding a little more weight on the D850/600mm set up may improve the balance on gimbal head, makes quite a difference with my 600mmG. Will improve the easy and comfort of shooting vertical, since the grip incorporates extra controls for shooting vertical. Also since you will have the bigger battery and the original battery you can do serious shooting not worry about battery life. Down side, grip, battery and charger is NOT cheap $800-$1000. You may wish to rent them to see how you like them.
ioulia
New member
Thank you for your advice! Still looking into both cameras, have not made my decision. I have over 7 months to make a decision on equipment and gather everything for the trip. With most cameras being on back order along with my tripod legs, I am glad I've started "hunting" for Nikon 600mm E lens last year. It took me "only" 4 months to get it. I hope it won't be like this with the other stuff.
ioulia
New member
Ken, thank you for your wisdom and input!
Good luck and have fun with your shopping. Aslso as @Steve has said don't forget your closest brick and mortar camera store they frequently can get you bodies and lenses before the big guys like B&H. My closest pro line brick and morat store is Perfect Light Camera and Supply in Idaho Falls, Idaho and Yellowstone Camera in West Yellowstone, Mt. (open seasonaly) both owned by the same pro photographer. They got me a D850 a D500 and my 500pf months before B&H got things to friends who I know ordered from B&H or Adorama before or at the same time I did. They do not have an online ordering capability I have to call them to get the stuff but it as Steve said the Nikon takes care of those small brick and mortar stores and they do not have the huge waiting lists that B&H, Adorama etc. have.
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Owney
Active member
ioulia, I definitely suggest you get the PayBoo Card and then call customer service and ask to have your purchase adjusted. I have always found B&H customer service to be the best. For a camera bag for your long lens I suggest you look at Think Tank Photo Glass Limo Backpack (B&H #THGL). I got mine there and like it for my D500 mounted to 500PF.
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
Bozeman Camera and Repair is in Montana, no sales tax. Normally has a very good inventory, open all year. Ask for Marshal. (800) 944-2139
Cool I have not been to Bozeman in a long time. I frequently pick up my stuff in at Yellowstone Camera in West Yellowstone Mt. like you said no sales tax but also closer to me and on my side of the park.
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bobmcg
New member
And, as Steve has noted elsewhere, the RRS lever clamp works really well on the WH-200. I put one on mine and I feel much more confident with my super-tele on it.
I purchased my used Nikon 500mm f/4 AF-S G lens online from Bozeman Camera, and also worked with Marshall. Very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful folks. The lens description was very accurate and I experienced no disappointment in dealing with them. I highly recommend doing business with them.
As an antedote to carrying all of the gear, has anyone ever used a cart? A few years ago, I ran into a fellow on a trail and he had all of his gear in a converted golf bag cart. He was able to go a lot further out with the cart than he would be able to without it. I'm currently looking for a baby jogger stroller that I can convert into a camera gear carrier. If anyone has experience and/or advice with this, please share it with us.
W
I have seen that ... a pro photog name Wayne Richard Pope has used a converted baby trailer on his mountain bike to lug all his gear
fulltimewanderer
Well-known member
Ken,
I’ve always enjoyed the brick and mortar store. Home when we get back there is in Tampa Bay Area. Hard to believe that the 3 county’s that make up the Bay Area there is only one rather small camera store left. Just interesting of the knowledge that you can you can find in the brick and mortar store. People buy online and go to them for answers.
We lost our last camera store that had been open over 70 years late last year :-( now the store in Idaho Falls is the last one left.
ioulia
New member
Hi, thank you for a wonderful advice! I applied for a card and it looks like I even don't have to return the lens. B&H will reimburse me for $860.79 sales tax for the lens plus sales tax for other orders I've placed. It will help me to pay for the new camera.
O
Well-known member
Simple answer lies with in you,
If you have the money to pay for a 600 F4 or even a 500 PF then you shouldn't be upset in renting either before you buy, renting will clearly make the decision for you as well as highlight other possible issues, weight size ability to handle convertors well, and how good it will work on your camera, especially it will show you the weakness or strengths in your shooting technique all before you spending a fortune.
Good luck.
Oz down under
If you have the money to pay for a 600 F4 or even a 500 PF then you shouldn't be upset in renting either before you buy, renting will clearly make the decision for you as well as highlight other possible issues, weight size ability to handle convertors well, and how good it will work on your camera, especially it will show you the weakness or strengths in your shooting technique all before you spending a fortune.
Good luck.
Oz down under