Thread: Mastering Nikons 80~400mm VR zoom lens

Originally Posted by stooge

Deano - I have been getting more and more into birding myself, although I dont have the lens just yet for anything serious. All I can say is that birding is ONE DIFFICULT photo subject to capture, and only practice and experience will eventually make the shots pay off!

Lovely photos you have there, so doing well already based on my experience at any rate.

Thanks Carlos, But be careful, this is a dangerous and addictive path you will develop a whole new vocabulary. It is also very rewarding especially when you get that 'killer' shot.
Frustration with the intricasies of your camera, the curse of automatic focus, the pain of manual focus and this is even before you find your subject, get close enough, have it sit still long enough in good light and not with its bum towards you. All the while with aching limbs from clambering through the bush and being attacked by flies, mozzies, snakes, crocodiles etc. Though I guess there's not too many crocs in Tassy. Did I mention heat thirst and sun stroke? But then if it was easy it wouldn't be as much fun. You could be a woos and take photos of planes, trains and automobiles, but where's the challenge in that?
Seriously though, as you say, it is DIFFICULT but rewarding. Strange though, photos I would have been happy with 12 months ago I now regard as so so. I've become a lot more critical.
Heres a couple more I am reasonably happy with



400mm, f5.6, 1/200

Northern Rosella, Mt Elizabeth Station, Kimberley Region, WA.



260mm, f10, 1/500

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Alice Springs, NT.
Juvenile bird, had trouble ID'ing it, but that 's what it is.

DeanoH

Originally Posted by big guy

Good stuff here, I am not much into birds but wholly appreciate the effort and fun had here.
Many moons ago I worked as a photographer for 2 sailing magazines, the Than News and a local agent. That was well before Digital came in and from all the work I did and learned the best help was to try to not use either end of the f stop, get as fast a glass as you can/afford and for best image never use a zoom.
Lenses have come a long way and I am somewhat out of hobby now but most probably still ring true.
My favourite was a 50mm f1.2. Canon lens, rarely even needed a flash.
A good body is also important to capture what you see and to expose what you don'tbut don't get too caught up with ever changing technology.
Some of the best pics been taken by very basic camera gear.
Ever read a thrilling article and stopped to ask what sort of PC it was written on?

Anyhow, enjoy every minute of it.
Try doing a bit of sport photography, it taught me to always be ready for that one shot and than the slower stuff just fell into place.

Hi Big Guy,
No argument here, my first real camera was an old Exacta and its lens wasn't even coated!, used the same lens in the enlarger. I still pine for the simplicity and ergonomics of my old Pentax Spotmatic F.
Lens' though have improved in price and quality. That shot of the Northern Rosella was taken at full zoom and maximum aperture, ie. 400mm, f5.6, 1/200 and was hand held. I came up in the same school as you, telephoto's for real work zoom for snaps and as for 400mm handheld, don't even think about it.
I'm pretty happy with the Nikkor 80~400 zoom, the VR is as good as advertised and the glass isn't too shabby either. Sure the 300/400mm f2.x telephoto would be better but $2k is doable $6k+ isn't.
You're right about not getting too overwhelmed with the gear, Kaye got a first at the Royal Melbourne Show last year with a pic taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5700. I've always thought of it this way. An ordinary camera will take a good picture under good conditions and a poor picture under poor conditions, a good camera will will take an excellent picture under good conditions and a good picture under poor conditions, if you're good enough. I'm still working on it.
I've done a bit of motor racing photography back in my 35mm days and bird photography is a bit similiar, fast moving subject, little time to setup and generally worse lighting. It's good to get feedback from the members in this forum as it all helps. When Arthur reckons it's a good shot you KNOW you've got it right.
I'm still working on the ergonomics of the Nikon which I have trouble with, being normally left handed doesn't help but I'm getting better at it. I've got to get used to not using full zoom and max aperture and perfect using manual settings especially focus. I reckon using manual shutterspeed and aperture with auto ISO is the way to go though I haven't tried it yet.
This lens can take better pictures than I've taken to date and I'm looking forward to taking them.

DeanoH