Trying my new Nikkor 70-300 FX-ED-VR - Great Egret

[Otavio]

Hi.
I finally did my first outing with my new 70-300 lens (Nikkor 70-300-FX-ED-IF-VR). This lens replaced my old Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro. I quite liked the focus. It looks fast enough for me. The VR also helps and the IF (internal focus) wont bother if you use a polariser filter. I think I took the right decision. Of course there are better lenses, but this is a very good one for the money (~USD 500). Here are some of the images. They come in a storyline way! C&C welcomed, as always. Thanks for viewing!

#1 - I am hungry! Must find a lunch...


#2 - ...I need to reach a vantage point...


#3 - ...This one looks good...


#4 - ...Yeah! I got a big one!


#5 - Now I'd better find a safe spot...


#6 ...to enjoy my lunch...alone!


#7 - ..it was great! Gotta find a dessert now! See ya!

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Otavio. All strong images and it looks like the lens is serving you well already. The backlighting in no.3 is excellent and the overall content of no.5 is special. Well done.

[Shadowman]

Nice series and director's commentary.

[Barbara Ponder]

Wonderful shots!

[Mike Buckley]

Of course there are better lenses, but this is a very good one for the money (~USD 500).

Though I think the price is closer to USD $600, this lens is probably the best value in the Nikon lineup. It's good to know that at least one copy has found a home in the hands of someone as capable as you.

[zkogut]

This lens helped make some crystal clear shots. I'm jealous. I've got the 55-300mm but it doesn't produce nearly as well. Nice series.

[Brownbear]

Hi Otavio,

A beautiful set! My favourites are #3 (lighting and pose) and #5 (a most amusing capture set off by a beautiful background)... Love the detail in the wings!

[Suzan J]

Hi Otavio: Wonderful work with your new lens. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful birds. The feather detail in all of these shots is amazing.

[IzzieK]

Otavio...you did very well. I love the look and determined pose of #2 a lot. Your commentary is excellent for the story you concocted with the shots. I was thinking of buying the same lens in the near future and your shots helps make the decision for me. What do you think of the 70-300mm APO DG Macro? I was eyeing that one too...???

[Otavio]

Nice set, Otavio. All strong images and it looks like the lens is serving you well already. The backlighting in no.3 is excellent and the overall content of no.5 is special. Well done.

Hi, Dan. Thank you very much for your feedback. Regards,

[Dave Humphries]

Great series Otávio,

You have done well with your new acquisition.

There are difficult exposures here and they've been handled well.

I really cannot decide on a favourite, although as Christina mentioned, there is great feather detail in them.

All the best, Dave

[Otavio]

Nice series and director's commentary.

Hi, John. Thanks for viewing. Glad you liked the "Director's commentary"!

[Otavio]

Wonderful shots!

Thanks a lot, Barbara!

[Otavio]

...It's good to know that at least one copy has found a home in the hands of someone as capable as you.

Thank you very much, Mike. This is a great compliment that has still a higher value when coming from a great photographer like you.

Regards,

[Otavio]

This lens helped make some crystal clear shots. I'm jealous. I've got the 55-300mm but it doesn't produce nearly as well. Nice series.

Hi, Zak. Thanks for viewing and commenting. Cheers,

[Nicks Pics]

Great series. You've got some interesting shots there. Did you find that 300mm gives you enough reach for birds?

[Otavio]

Hi Otavio,

A beautiful set! My favourites are #3 (lighting and pose) and #5 (a most amusing capture set off by a beautiful background)... Love the detail in the wings!

Hello, Christina. Thank you very much for your feedback! Regards,

[Otavio]

Hi Otavio: Wonderful work with your new lens. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful birds. The feather detail in all of these shots is amazing.

Hi, Suzan. Thanks for your encouraging words. I might share more bird images soon. Cheers!

[Otavio]

Otavio...you did very well. I love the look and determined pose of #2 a lot. Your commentary is excellent for the story you concocted with the shots. I was thinking of buying the same lens in the near future and your shots helps make the decision for me. What do you think of the 70-300mm APO DG Macro? I was eyeing that one too...???

Hi, Izzie. Thanks for viewing and commenting.

Regarding your question, the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro is a very good lens for the money. I believe its price is around USD 200, against about USD 580 for this Nikkor I bought (about 1/3 of the price). You will not have VR, but the lens works great under good light (that is key for this lens). It is a FX lens, so you dont use the lens borders (where there are usually more distortions and softness) when shooting with a DX body. The autofocus works well and is reasonably fast. All my bird images you have seen until this thread (Galápagos, Pantanal, local outings, etc) were shot with the Sigma. So, if you are on a budget, it is the lens to buy. As I said above, about my Nikkor: There are better lenses, but it is a good value for the money you pay.

Between the sigma and the Nikkor 70-300, you can also consider the Nikkor 55-300 (DX) that will offer you a VR over the sigma. This lens costs about USD 300~350.

I hope you make the right choice, as I just did!

Cheers,

[Otavio]

Great series Otávio,

You have done well with your new acquisition.

There are difficult exposures here and they've been handled well.

I really cannot decide on a favourite, although as Christina mentioned, there is great feather detail in them.

All the best, Dave

Hi, Dave!

Thank you very much for your feedback! I appreciate it. All the best to you, too. Regards,