Time For An Upgrade

[Paul O'Toole]

After visiting NFLD last month I decided to give my younger brother all of my photo equipment to get him going after using a point and shoot for a few years. My plan now is for some near gear. I am undecided on my Nikon body, lense will be the NIKON AF-S 80-400MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR (updated lense). Thanks for any input or suggestions.

[JW Mills]

Kinda hard to recommend a camera to someone who takes better pictures than I do!
 
Having said that, I'd go with either the D7100 or D7200 depending on your budget, $900 or $1200. From what I've read the 7200 is somewhat but not hugely better than the 7100. Either one gives you more megapickles than the other two which would leave a bit of room for cropping.

[Kin Lau]

Wait for the new Nikon 500mm zoom, it's the same price range as the 80-400.

[Paul O'Toole]

I may just do that, may be a nice lense to use this winter for snowy owl's so I can take shots further back and give them as much space as possible.

[JW Mills]

I may just do that, may be a nice lense to use this winter for snowy owl's so I can take shots further back and give them as much space as possible.

According to the other thread you will be getting the new 80-400VR.
If so then you can couple that with the new TC-14III and D7100/7200. You will still have auto focus. The lens with the tc will be F8 at 560, kinda slow for flight but ok for static. With the new TC-14III there's very little IQ loss.
If you try this route, be careful to check the lens/TC in store. I bought one and the combo front focused like crazy, too much for fine tune to correct so I took it back.

[MEGHAN]

Another vote for the 7200 if you are going to stay in that price range.
I'd also stick with the new 80-400 instead of the 200-500. The price of the 200-500 alone would make me stear clear of it, if the cost of glass is inexpensive then the quality will not be there. You get what you pay for when it comes to lenses
The 80-400 works very well with the D7200 and at 24.2 mp you can do a fair amount of cropping.
I have the new 80-400 and I use it all the time. Locks super fast and holds focus. Much better than my 70-200 and that's a 2.8. I was more than surprised with the performance of the 80-400 and I waited a long time to buy one. I know numerous people who purchased one early and no one regrets it. It is a fantastic lens. I think you will be more than happy with it.

[annie]

I upgraded a few months ago from Nikon D7000 to the D7200 and I have been using the Tamron 150-600mm and for me, find it a great combo.

These photos were all taken with this combo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/annie57/a ... 5970028551

https://www.flickr.com/photos/annie57/a ... 6205050290

https://www.flickr.com/photos/annie57/a ... 2984651790

[JW Mills]

So Paul, what's the verdict?

[Paul O'Toole]

D7200 with the newest 80-400 AFS

[Paul O'Toole]

Back home after some shopping, purchased a Nikon D7200 body and a new NIKON AF-S 80-400MM F/4.5-5.6G ED VR  lense, battery charging. Will try out tomorrow at Presqu'ile Park shooting shorebirds. Any suggestions on settings would be helpful, I am thinking AF-C with spot??