Backyard birding with the Nikon 70-300VR

[Uncle Frank]

It's not the lens a birding specialist would choose, but the 70-300VR fits my needs for a general purpose telephoto... lots of reach, hand holdable, contrasty, sharp, and affordable. I particularly like it for hummingbird pictures. A very assertive male Anna's Hummingbird has claimed my backyard feeder, and buzzes any creature, bird or human, that intrudes on his territory. The click of a shutter and blast of light from a flash don't faze him at all. I grabbed a few shots this evening in return for a few ounces of sugar water.

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[sambo.]

ok, that damn well does it. i am so definatly getting myself a 70-300VR at some stage.
(note: this is from a guy with an 80-200/2.8D 200/2vr-ii, 400/2.8 and cupboard full other sexy glass at his disposal).

lovely shots mate, really nicely done and you've managed not to overflash it, which is a common problem i see.

top stuff.

 

[wizzard0003]

Very nice...!

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You should post this shot in the 70-300VR thread here:

https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=180440

 

[siinjen]

WOW Frank! U nailed it...Is still an amazing lens...got one of those too.

 

[Uncle Frank]

ok, that damn well does it. i am so definatly getting myself a 70-300VR at some stage.
(note: this is from a guy with an 80-200/2.8D 200/2vr-ii, 400/2.8 and cupboard full other sexy glass at his disposal).

lovely shots mate, really nicely done and you've managed not to overflash it, which is a common problem i see.

top stuff.

Thanks for the comments, Sam. The 70-300VR is half the weight of your 70-80/200 lenses and you'll recover the reach you lost when you moved from dx to fx. I think you'll enjoy it.

 

[Uncle Frank]

WOW Frank! U nailed it...Is still an amazing lens...got one of those too.

Thanks, Sal. I almost feel like a cheat when folks congratulate me on hummer "captures". Once you get the hang of it, they're embarrassingly easy.

 

[sambo.]

Thanks for the comments, Sam. The 70-300VR is half the weight of your 70-80/200 lenses and you'll recover the reach you lost when you moved from dx to fx. I think you'll enjoy it.

actually, the main use i'd have for a 70-300 is when i go out pig-chasing or bowhunting. :biggrin:

i occasionally nick my mum's older model 70-300 and bolt it to an ungripped D700 for this purpose. much more convenient when on foot than a D3s/80-200 combo.

from memory, i bought mum her 70-300 in, err, 1999 or 2000. while it's still serviceable and acceptably sharp, it's just i'm constantly impressed by the examples i see from the newer VR version.

 

[jbailey930]

I agree completely, Frank. Nice shots. Its a really sharp lens and easy to pack.

 

[hockeyron]

Awesome shots Frank ...
I've been pleasantly surprised at my 70-300VR .... especially for the price ...

ron

 

[cbbr]

Had one, sold it and now I want another. Great shots Frank!

 

[euua]

wish we had those birds where I live LOL
well done mate

 

[mematsu]

Nice shot Frank.

I really like the rim-light.

 

[jerrym]

excellent images--I gotta teach my lens how to do that----Jerry

 

[Temba]

wish we had those birds where I live LOL
well done mate

We do have them here, you just need to set up a feeder to attact them to the area where you want to photgraph them.