Nikon D7000 - what is best lens?

[rcflier]

So, I now have a Nikon D7000, and am using a Nikkor AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f/3.5~5.6G IF-ED.

I want to get a better lens for longer clearer shots and am looking for recommendations.  I know the camera is capable!

I am a newbie birder and newbie photographer, and need lot's of help!!!

Thanks, Bob

[Michael Tam]

There is a wealth of experience from other bird photographers in this forum.  Since Bird Photography is not my principal interest despite being a birder, I am not qualify to offer any opinion into a suitable optics for this application.

However, the Nikon Lens brochure offers a comprehensive view into the line of lens which may be helpful in the beginning of your search for an appropriate lens for Bird Photography:

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/pd ... lenses.pdf

It is always important to have an idea of the cost associated to a particular lens of interest, the price list for the Nikon line from my trusted camera store for the past  30 years as followed:

http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... 5&Itemid=2
http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... 6&Itemid=2

Hope this is helpful.  

Good birding and photography.

[Kin Lau]

1st question always... what's your budget?

But judging by the D7000 body, the 80-400 comes to mind.

[rcflier]

Michael - thanks for the links

Kin - budget? - give the cat another canary !  (oops, did I say that?)

[Michael Tam]

It may be helpful to review past similar discussions posted in this forum to further one's understanding of the needs and wants in your quest for the perfect lens in bird photography:
 
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6767
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8218
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9035
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7484

As a rule of thumb in optics, the quality of the acquired optics is governed by one's budget.  Furthermore, there is consideration to a mixture in factors in a complex formula between the f-stop, fix vs. variable focal length, AFS and VR availability, minimum focal length requirement and the almighty dollar  :cry:. Then there is the consideration between brand name vs third party optics with the issues of optics quality and variance.

If my main interest is Bird Photography.....and money is no object, my wish list will be a Nk 500mm f4 and Nk 300mm f2.8 with 1.4x and 2x convertor or 200-400mm f4.  Then there is the inconvenience of the financial issue, there may be Nk 300mm f4 or Nk 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 AFS/VR (new version).  For an introductory venture, there is the 70-300mm f4.5-.6.  I generally favor brand name instead of third party products although much has been said on their merits.

Good birding and photography.

[Michael Tam]

As an example of what a 70-200mm f2.8 plus a 2x teleconvertor on a D7000 can produce, please see the following from a wildlife photographer in India:

http://www.amoghavarsha.com/

The combination of 300mm f2.8 plus a 2x teleconvertor is favored by many bird photographers without the load of the heavy gear of 500mm f4 with its Gimbal head and tripod. With the past experience from selecting birding binoculars, it was better to buy "the best" once and enjoy it forever instead of collecting many articles over the years with the progress of affordibility.

Good birding and photography.

[Michael Tam]

Before any purchase, one should exercise due diligence in reviewing all available lens tests in order to have an idea what is the expected level of optical performance for the particular lens of interest.  

If for example, the Nk 80-400 mm AFS/VR is in contension, this is the report from one of the most respected site, Photozone below:
 
http://www.photozone.de/nikon_ff/552-nikkorafd80400vrff
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-a ... est-report

Another example for the 80-400 mm from a lesser known site below:

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showprod ... 125/cat/13

Opinion from Bjorn Rorslett, the foremost expert on Nikon optics below:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

Another opinion from K. Rockwell, a somewhat entertaining comments below:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikkor.htm

Hope it is helpful.

Good birding and photography.

[rcflier]

Thanks again Michael, very helpful.