Nikon D7000: Lens for wildlife photography (>200mm)

[mohitkhanna]

Hello Friends,

I own a Nikon D7000 (DX format) along with a Nikkor 18-200mm. During my previous photography excursions this specific lens has suited me well with both portrait and some beginner level of wildlife photography.

The only issue I have had with this one is that I often perceive a need for a higher focal length while trying out wildlife photography. I have often missed shots due to the physical constraints wherein I am not able to get closer to the subject to take a good full frame shot and 200mm (300mm equivalent on D7000 - 1.5x crop factor) seems tad too less.

I was wondering if anyone could guide me to a good telephoto zoom lens that can help solve such problem. I could opt for tele-converters but I am afraid that the aperture value will drop too low for any level of handheld shooting.

Doubts:

1. Is my concern with tele-converters valid?

2. Can anyone suggest a better telephoto zoom lens? I do not want too much overlap in the focal range with the 18-200mm

3. Would the Nikkor FX lenses work with DX format D7000?

4. Any competitive 3rd party lens that would help solve the problem?

[kirbinster]

Well I generally like to stick with Nikon brand lenses, you typically get less for your money with other brands, but not always. As for FX lenses, they are actually better on your camera than DX lenses. You see with an FX lens on a DX body you are only using the inner roughly 2/3rds of the lens which typically has less distortion than the outer parts of the lens.

A TC can be a good thing, especially when you consider the price of fast long lenses -- they easily cost a lot more than your camera. A TC won't work on your 18-200 as it is a slow lens. In fact if you stick with Nikon TC's they only work on certain lenses. I have found that I am fairly happy in most cases using my Nikon TC-20E II 2x converter with my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S VR lens. While it drops the effective f-stop to f/5.6 it still has the depth of field of f/2.8. When you do that on a DX body you are getting an effective focal length of 600mm. I had a Tamron 200-500 lens, but got rid of it as this combination gives better images than that did on its own.

[ceremus]

Your body has a focus motor, so you have a few choices available. I'm guessing the obvious first choice would be the AF-S 70-300, if 300mm is long enough for you.

Otherwise you could also select the 80-400, or going third party you could get the Sigma 50-500 (the "Bigma").

[kirbinster]

The auto focus on the 70-300 is too slow, especially in low light.

[sk66]

I don't think a TC on the 18-200 is a "great choice"...A Nikon TC won't even mount (without surgery)...

I had a Sigma 50-500 and it's a great "bank/buck lens", but it's not fast.
Budget is a concern as is enthusiasm for the subject...If you really enjoy it, and plan on sticking with it, it might be best to start saving now for a better lens later.