Nikon 50-300 ED for Wildlife

[Russell M Johnston]

So to get to the point I have been looking at alot of lens these last few weeks for something that will fit in my backpack so I can hike and travel easy. I fully understand some jobs will need to have the bigger 500mm and 600mm prime lens and when that time comes I can rent them no problem. Right now I have the Nikon 50-300 ED AIS version of the lens, and I dont know what it is or why but I really love the image off that lens. Very sharp and such a great zoom range with smooth focus pulls and packs into a bag really well. My problem comes from that i want more reach but dont want to get much bigger. I have thought about getting a 1.4x for the lens and seeing what it does to the image, so if anyone would know I would love to hear what you have to say, I have tired a 2x on it and didnt like it that much ( It was an older 2x though)

One of the things I have been thinking about doing as well is sending the lens into RPLens and having a Canon hard mount placed on the lens and then buying a Canon 1.4, but after looking it wont work since the Nikon's back element sits flush with the mount and the Canon 1.4 needs to go inside the lens to fit. I have seen that the Kenko has a 1.4 that doesn't have glass that will impact and heard its not to bad.

So after that, my questions really are what would you do? Should I keep the Nikon and get a 1.4 for it? Invest in maybe a Sigma or Tamron 100-400 lens? Heard great things from people how have used both those lens.


* I shoot on the Raven body and do outdoor sports and wildlife shooting, and once again not trying to match a big prime. I will rent those when the jobs calls for it.

 

[Clark Dunbar]

I use the Sigma 150-600 (now - Canon Mt) on Monstro and have used it and the 150-500 (nikon Mt) on Epic/Dragon with the Sigma 2x - works great BUT Needs a good really support for those 1000~1200 lengths!!!!

btw - my Sigma 150-500mm is available for sale as I have gone to Canon mounts...

 

[Misha Engel]

How about this one?
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/cas/product/contemporary/c_150_600_5_63/
Only 1,83 kg

 

[Russell M Johnston]

I should have said, I have a Sigma 150-600 Sport model that I can buy for $700 in like new shape as well. Just its a bit to big to fit in my bag, but we can make it work I would think.

 

[Vance Colvig]

Nikon made extenders spaciffically for certain series lenses. Although 50-300 is not mentioned, this should give you some insight. I find Nikon favorable glass to Canon when it comes to extenders modded for PL lenses. I love the Nikon 50-300 AI-s ED

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_converter.html#top_page

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_converter.html#top_page

The TC-14E, TC-17E or TC-20E just might be the ticket. Sounds like a simple DIY mod is required. It appears there are several versions and the latest TC-20E iii uses aspheric elements. TC-14E ii and TC-17E ii seem to be the latest iterations to date.

 

[Russell M Johnston]

Went down to a camera shop here in San Diego that sells old lens and such and found a TC-14A for under a $100 so picked it up. So far in early testing, it looks nice wide open, Im testing there to see how good that is. Will take out this weekend and test a bit more at F5.6 and F8 and see what it can do.

 

[Misha Engel]

This looks to be pretty good for wildlife and it has optical image stabilization.

Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports Lens

https://www.canonrumors.co/hot-five-sigma-lenses-to-be-announced-soon-28mm-f-1-4-art-40mm-f-1-4-art-70-200mm-f-2-8-60-600mm-56mm-f-1-4-dc-lenses/

 

[Russell M Johnston]

That lens looks crazy haha. I really wish they would have done a newwer 300-800mm lens. That would be huge for wildlife and sports

 

[Jiri Vrozina]

I love this Nikon Zoom..not the sharpest but bang for money. Colours are outstanding.