Another argument for superzooms for wildlife photography for the rest of us

Jock Elliott

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When I posted My crotchety old opinion – wildlife photography for the rest of us , I mentioned that it is difficult to get long fast lenses for ILCs (and particularly so if you want a long fast zoom lens). Not impossible, but not easy either.

One of the aspects of "Wildlife photography for the rest of us" that I never mentioned was cost.

Well, here's some news: Nikon has announced a couple of commendably fast long fixed lenses for its full frame cameras. The AF-S Nikkor 500mm F4E FL ED VR will cost $10,299.95; the AF-S Nikkor 600mm F4E FL ED VR will sell for $12,299.95. Both will be available mid-July.

Upon reading ths news, my Scottish thrift genes kicked into full overdrive. I found myself kissing the FZ200 and cooing: "Who's a good little camera? Who's Daddy's favorite?"

If I purchased a full-frame Nikon and one of those lenses (and for the record, I am absolutely positive that it would deliver astounding performance), I would only be able to use it for a month, at the end of which, I would have to "do myself in" and let the insurance pay the VISA bill.

Cheers, Jock
PS -- I have to be careful even reading the prices on those new lenses . . . I'm on blood thinners.
 
Patience. :D

The Olympus 300/4 PRO is coming soon(~$1299-$1499USD). Reasonable price for an effective FOV of 600mm + it will work with the new 1.4TC giving you an 840mm FOV for only $350 more USD.

The Olympus 75-300mm (currently 449$) is a pretty good lens too. It's slower of course, but small enough to just take along.
Got great results from it - one of my favourite lenses, even if I don't use it every day.
 
You're probably right. Didn't want to hijack this into a m43 thread.
Just thought it would fit into the spirit of "It doesn't always have to be big and expensive". Especially if you're only doing it for fun. :)
(I'm from a part of Germany that's supposedly very thrifty too... the German equivalent to Scotland I guess :D )
 
I came from the Panasonic FZ3(8 years old now) to mFT 5 years ago. Even as the technology has grown with the new superzooms, the biggest issue I always faced was dynamic range. The latest larger sensor superzooms seem to be getting pretty close now.
 
I'm not a huge fan of small sensors (<1/1.7, 2/3) and heaven knows I've tried enough of them. The Stylus 1 has been my favorite followed by the X10. The FZ1000 would be smallest sensor superzoom (not small, I know) I'd consider now for long telephoto conditions. OTOH, I expect the FZ1000 would be really good. Just to note, I definitely have a hankering for the RX10 but it's not long enough for wildlife.
 
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FZ1000 is top of my list, still. I could buy this week but I think I'd like to wait for more price drop. Mind you, with the way the Aussie dollar is tumbling... if I *don't* buy this week, I may have to wait years before I can afford it again.

Just think if you were in Greece...
 
I'm not a huge fan of small sensors (<1/1.7, 2/3) and heaven knows I've tried enough of them. The Stylus 1 has been my favorite followed by the X10. The FZ1000 would be smallest sensor superzoom (not small, I know) I'd consider now for long telephoto conditions. OTOH, I expect the FZ1000 would be really good. Just to note, I definitely have a hankering for the RX10 but it's not long enough for wildlife.

I take your point. Small works for me and results in a camera with great reach, a fast lens, AND I am willing to carry it. On the other hand, you could argue that I have low standards for image quality and that I am lazy (ie, unwilling to carry big, heavy camera/lens combos). You would be correct on both counts.

Cheers, Jock
 
I take your point. Small works for me and results in a camera with great reach, a fast lens, AND I am willing to carry it. On the other hand, you could argue that I have low standards for image quality and that I am lazy (ie, unwilling to carry big, heavy camera/lens combos). You would be correct on both counts.

Cheers, Jock
You are balancing several important factors in picking a kit. This is wisdom and efficiency not laziness. (y) You might enjoy this site: thenimblephotographer.com
 
You are balancing several important factors in picking a kit. This is wisdom and efficiency not laziness. (y) You might enjoy this site: thenimblephotographer.com

Wow, thanks for the link to the nimble photographer. That pretty much captures the spirit of my photographic philosophy!

Cheers, Jock
 
I thought of this thread and you in particular when I stumbled on this. I was looking for reviews of the Lumix 35-100 4-5.6 and found this guy's blog.

The review I read listed only 2 cons - the f4 starting point and the start-up rotation to unlock the lens. I wish I had a lens like this with my G1 from circa 2007.
 
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