Second body for wildlife photography

AC1 wrote:

Hi

I have the D300s, D7000, and D800E. I am also an avid wildlife photographer and birds are my passion.

From personal experience i can rate the cameras i own as follows;

- The D300s is an excellent camera, and for a while the only DSLR i owned. Still have and enjoy using it.

- D7000, is a good camera and is under rated by most on this forum.

It has better IQ, and better ISO (1stop) than the D300s.

It is an excellent wildlife camera if used properly.

- The D800E easily outperforms the other two. It has better IQ, better DR, better ISO, way better focusing (despite what you read on this forum), fps not ideal but workable.

I also had the use of a D4 for a week and was very impressed (superb camera). But as you have mentioned the loss of 1.5 crop factor is a serious loss for a birder. I returned the D4 and was very happy to have the D800E for my main activity, ie bird photography.

For bird photography reach is everything. I have a 500VR with a 1.4tele and more often than not wish it was 800 with a 1.4. Its all about pixels on subject. There is no substitute for reach and inevitably good glass and expensive long lens are required. Of course as you have pointed out lesser equipment can also get great results, its all about compromises.

I have been on two safaris in the past year and regularly photograph wildlife in my home town. In the Nikon line up i think the 800E is the best all round wildlife lens. Not perfect but the camera i would prefer above all others. When the results are not up to par it is almost always the photographers fault. So i still have a lot to learn.

If budget is #1 get the D7000, if not get the D800E.

hope the above was of help

AC