Upgrade?

Right now I'm shooting with a Nikon D50 with a 70-300 mm lense. I still feel far away from my subjects. I am looking for an upgrade to get better shots of farther subjects, but I'm on a Budget. What should I go with? I am really trying to stay below $500. Teleconvertor maybe? or try to find a deal on a lense? Or does anyone have tips for getting better shots at long range?

This is a very common question. Short answers are (1) Forget about a teleconverter with your lens (2) There aren't any low priced long lenses that really work well. Also, consider this: to make your subject look twice as big in the viewfinder as your 300mm lens does, you'll need a 600mm lens. Those are mega expensive. My advice to you is to learn how to get closer. Consider learning how to use a blind, get some camo material, and learn where to find your subjects in places you can hide closer. Exactly what are your subjects anyway? If you are photo'ing grizzly bears and mountain lions, maybe I shouldn't be advising you to get close.


Kent in SD

I agree with kent here, learn to get closer. If its birds your after learning how to "spish" will help to get little song birds much closer. There is nothing in the $500 range that will help get you closer. If you can save up a little longer you may be able to get a 400mm for twice that and you can try a 1.4x TC with that but you may have to manual focus with a TC on there without expensive fast glass. I would only recommend a TC on pro quality glass, its a waste of money with a cheap telephoto like the 70-300mm as it will just magnify the imperfections of the cheaper glass. Also just get out there as much as possible, the more you get out, the better your chance of being in the right place at the right time. Part of wildlife photography is knowing what you are doing and how to get close without disturbing the subject and part of it is just plain luck.

The sweetness of quality exceeds the bitterness of price.

Sell non-used stuff; save your money from those sales and from anyplace else you can glean, have patience, then when you have the cash, buy the best. In this case, a REAL telephoto.

That way you only buy once and have the joy of good stuff.

the fisch

the fisch

Ok, say I decided to drop the money for a real good lense, like one of the Nikon 600mm or so, should I also upgrade the camera, or will my D50 be good?