Birds with the Nikon 70-200mm f/4

[billtils]

Back in June I posted here for advice on a lens to fill the gap between my 24-85mm walk-about and 300 wildlife lenses. The advice that was the best fit to my needs (or wants ...) was the Nikon 70-200mm f/4. It was more of a "nice to have" than a "must have" and it's taken until now to act.

Here are a few images from its first outing. I'm a happy chappy .

(Note to the Mods: I posted here because of the image content but by all means move to the Equipment category if you feel that is more appropriate).

Female chaffinch:






Blue tit:





Long tailed tits (I'm well aware that the jumping bird is not as sharp as it could be but feel that the action element offsets that):






Red kite:

[DanK]

It all depends on what you shoot, of course, and I don't do many birds, but have found a 70-200 to be indispensable. I shoot Canon, but I also chose the f/4 version years ago and have no regrets whatever. It weighs and costs half what the f/2.8 does, and I almost never miss the extra stop.

[billtils]

... It weighs and costs half what the f/2.8 does, and I almost never miss the extra stop.

Thanks Dan - if I recall correctly it was your advice that clinched the selection for me and you sure got it right (no surprise there though).

[Antonio Correia]

Beautiful captures from Scotland, Bill !
Have a nice week end !

[Manfred M]

If I were primarily shooting in the studio or working on landscapes, a f/4 lens would be plenty fast enough. On the other hand, I went full frame with a fast lens to shoot shallow depth of field in existing light at reasonable ISO settings, so the extra f-stop makes a big difference. Fortunately, weight of the gear is not a factor for me (yet).

I can get f/4 on with my f/2.8 lens, but not the other way around. I shoot wide open with the f/2.8 70-200mm lens all the time.

[billtils]

Thanks Antonio

[billtils]

.... Fortunately, weight of the gear is not a factor for me (yet).

It's coming Manfred, rest assured it is coming

[selig1656]

You have gotten some great suggestions and information, I like your series very much. The last capture you might consider some cropping.

[billtils]

You have gotten some great suggestions and information, I like your series very much. The last capture you might consider some cropping.

Thanks Raymond

I see what you mean, and that would work well. I was following the "Leave space for the bird to move into" adage but just a tad off the bottom still does that but makes more of the Kite.

[Stagecoach]

That's a great pose for the Kite.