The are coming

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,143
Coastal NJ
perhaps another irruption year.

http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?...mr=8-11&bmo=8&emo=11&yr=cur&byr=2016&eyr=2016

153682206.jpg
 

Jon Holcombe

Explorer
Dec 1, 2015
967
1,934
Medford
46er, I am looking at one of the relatively inexpensive super zooms - 150-600mm to put in my bag for the occasions when I head to North Brigantine or South OC. Can I ask you what you are shooting with?
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,143
Coastal NJ
500/4 afs II + TC14e on a crop camera for that image, I use 3 lenses that I rely on, all Nikon. I take it you are looking at the Sigma sport version? IMO, if you are serious about wildlife, save your peso's and go used as I did; full name 500mm f/4D IF-ED AF-S II, and TC, plus a sturdy tripod. Used this lens is only about 1K more than the Sigma. You do not need VR.
 
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Jon Holcombe

Explorer
Dec 1, 2015
967
1,934
Medford
The Nikon 500mm primes are pro lenses, and the price tag, even used, reflects it. But with the crop sensor and teleconverter it sounds like your reach is about 1050 mm, and that is very interesting. No wonder we can see the details in the owls eyes and feathers. With my Nikon 200mm f/4, 1.4 teleconverter, and in 1.5 crop sensor mode, reach is 420mm max, and that is too short. The Sigma Sport is probably a bit sharper than the Nikon 200-500, with better reach, but it is a beast. If I pulled my 200mm out of my bag on occasion, and replaced it with the new Tamron, or Sigma C, or a used Nikon 500mm, and went to the beach, or Forsythe. I would have the reach, though perhaps not Nat Geo quality.
 
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46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,143
Coastal NJ
If you are on a tight budget, the Nikon 500/4 P can be had for around $1.5K and is the first super-tele I had. Like the 500/4 afs, a Nikon classic. I wish I had kept it. You will have to manual focus, but most of their dslr's have the rangefinder feature that makes it a bit easier. No TC though. Either of them will produce natgeo quality if the photog is capable of it ;) Both the Tamron and Sigma are 6.3 on the long end, marginal for wildlife, especially avian, IMO.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=nikon+500mm+f4+p

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/500mm.htm
 
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