Best Wildlife Camera???

If you had up to $2000-$3000 to spend on a digital SLR and a decent lense for taking wildlife pics what would you get.

I've curently got the old 6.2 rebel which is fine for taking pics around the house, etc. but I haven't been too impressed with it in the hills. I know it needs a better lense, but still seems to be lacking.

I've got a GL2 with a Century Optics doubler and the old rebel to sell before I buy something. So, if you've got an opinion or any interest in a GL2 or an older rebel let me know.

I think the Nikon D90, D300, D700, D3 would be your best bet. As far as lens goes 200-400Nikor. I shoot the 80-400 F4.5-5.6 and the Fstop Is to slow for morning and eveninig shots, but the price Is under 2000.00. Once you start buying stuff you will wish you spent the more money and got the better stuff. Once you get set up we should go out and shoot. Good luck and Im sure Tony will chime In and give his 2 cents he knows his stuff.

This is a bit of a complicated issue. I'll do my best to keep it brief. Since you have a body that works, well stick with Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras that have interchangeable lenses.

There really is not a best camera for wildlife. I know youre talking about your situation, but wildlife images are made mostly with great lenses. Some "all in one" camers have good lenses but they fall short in other areas. . .

There are many ways to get good images including using the camera you now own -- lets stick with that. Lenses really are the key for the budget you are talking about. That camera can produce very nice images and 6mp is still good especially if youre only asking to make 11x14. If your output will be for high end magazines and huge enlargements, you may run into more of an issue, but I've sold covers shot with a d70 and the 80-400 vr - nikon of course. I've even got a cover shot taken with a 4 mp camera, so dont let MP get in your way. . .

My quick answer without getting into a bunch more why?s and what-fors is to tell you this:

Keep the camera and buy a good lens and tripod.

I think you could find a good, used 300 2.8 IS and a 1.4 extender and have yourself a great setup. There are other options, but I'm not sure spending money on a new camera at the expense of a new, better lens will get you better images.

As it is now, you cant, with that camera you own utilize it's full image potential with your current lenses. In other words, your not even using the camera you have to it's full potential.

Spend your money on a good 300 2.8 auto focus, or a good 100-400 or a good 300 f4, but don't spend a dime on cheap lenses and a new body, you will be going backwards if you do. . .

I hope this was at least marginally helpful. . .

Tony


www.tonybynum.com

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).

Thanks for the input.

In a follow up to Tony. There are great deals now with Canon L series lenses, 100-400 and 70-200 2.8. Both are L series and image stabilized.
Happy to help you out. Call me at 212-753-5128 on Monday with any questions


Joel Paymer
Camera Land
575 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10022
212-753-5128
www.cameralandny.com

Hey Paul, I'd take good advise like Tony's. I decided to jump into the dslr thing recently and after reading reviews for hours and hours I finally purchased an Olympus e520 with a kit 14-42 lense and a 70-300 f4.5-5.6. From what I've read you can't go wrong with Nikon, Canon, or Olympus. I opted for olympus because of price (I'm into the whole thing so far about $900), image stabilization in the body, image quality, and a few other things. I believe it will be a great starter camera. Also with the 4/3 system the lenses I buy will all be equal to double (x2) the focal length of a 35mm film lense where the Nikon and canon are X1.5. The best of the profesional camera bodies $3000-$6000 are made by Nikon and canon but my little olympus is more camera than I can use right now. When I made the decision to buy olympus I had already decided that if I really like this starter 10mp camera that I will upgrade to their next new semi-pro in a year or two.

I'm headed to the witer range right after Thanksgiving so we'll see if I can get some good photos. What ever you decide to do you'll have the ability to take some great photos. A 300 f2.8 with a converter will do wonders in the field. Steve

+1 to TF's advice. Too many folks unfortunately get wrapped up on the MP issue. Until I bought my Canon D30 a couple years ago, I was using an Oly 2100UZ -- a 1.6mp camera with a 10X zoom! Over a few years, it produced a couple magazine covers and two-page spreads, plus dozens of smaller published pix.

The Rebel you now own will do the same thing with a good lens and a good photographer! ;-) Spend that money on some decent glass and you're all set to go.


TONY MANDILE

How To Hunt Coues Deer

I have a Canon XSi and love it. Takes great pictures in all scenarios and is not to big for the backpack.