Nikon d5300 or equivalent

[BluTuna]

The 200-500mm should work well with the D5300 but if you are thinking about upgrading your camera body, going to a full frame would be a improvement in image quality but you will lose the extra reach of a crop-frame sensor.

If you are shooting birds, the extra 50% magnification for a given lens is almost essential - your 500mm lens is effectively a 750mm lens on a crop-frame camera.

If you are going to upgrade your body, consider the D500, when coupled with the 200-500mm lens is probably the best camera/lens combo for wildlife and sports.

My advice would be to get to know your current kit and practise shooting whatever you shoot as often as possible as using a long lens and getting good results requires a good amount of skill. When you are comfortable with your kit and you are getting results you are happy with, then look at upgrading.

[Pilanesburg_boy]

Thanks for the response .. Yea the 750 reach will help especially for birds, which I do if I come across them,I don't go looking for then..
I have checked the d500, looks amazing..
Yea I can't wait to take the lens out this weekend for the first time..
Will need to get use to the lens and the weight of it first.

[Pilanesburg_boy]

Hi
I know I'm with the questions alot but I have 1 more..
Lens filters..what will be best..
I was told they range from 'hoya to Marumi then b&w and the better hoya'
The first hoya is 1600,,
The Marumi is 2000
The b&w is 2700 and the better hoya is 3200..
Now I don't want to cheap out new and regret later.
Which will be best.. I was looking at the Marumi and b&w as I was told b&w is top of the range.. And Marumi is mid range.. What would you suggest..

I've also purchased a bag today and a bean bag for the window not long ago :) now just the protective filter then I hope I'm done, for now.
Thanks again..

[nan]

I use Hoya... but don't know Marumi

[Pilanesburg_boy]

Neither do I, it was suggested to me when I bought the lens over the hoya hmc..

[Peter Connan]

What exactly do you want the filter to do?

Generally, especially on the longer lenses, filters tend to degrade performance a little bit.

Also, it has been proven that they don't necessarily prevent the lens from impact damage.

Thus, the only positive effect is that it can protect the lens from "sand blasting". And that is not something one would normally expect to see with a long lens like this, and reducing the frequency you need to clean the lens.

Personally, I only put a filter on whenoperating in very dusty situations or at the coast.

[nan]

Personally, I only put a filter on whenoperating in very dusty situations or at the coast.

in the Kgalagadi

[BluTuna]

I don't own a filter for my Nikkor 200-500mm lens but I always use the lens hood. This won't protect the lens from sand blasting but it will protect it from accidental impact.

If the wind gets up enough to sand blast a lens, put it back in its bag! I'm more worried about the lens ingesting dust when I zoom.

[Peter Connan]

Personally, I only put a filter on whenoperating in very dusty situations or at the coast.

in the Kgalagadi

No, I mean like if i'm standing right next to a rally track.

Kgalagadi is just a little dusty.

[nan]

Personally, I only put a filter on whenoperating in very dusty situations or at the coast.

in the Kgalagadi

No, I mean like if i'm standing right next to a rally track.

Kgalagadi is just a little dusty.

... ok