New camera

[miket]

Can anyone advise on a reasonable camera and lens for wildlife photography? 

Would be obliged for any recommendations.

 

Mike

[Bibs]

Sky's the limit really, what's your experience and budget?

[miket]

Hi Bibs,

Thanks for your reply. Thinking of spending up to £800. No experience as such.

Regards

Mike

[Malcolm Feth]

Buy a cheap used body like 400D and a nice lens

Skills 50%

lens 40%

body 10%

[rogerch]

For wildlife you're going to need a longer than average lens, 200-300.

Whilst I don't disagree with Malcolm that the lens is more important than the camera, with today's reliance on electronics, I'd buy new with warranty.

I like Nikon, but it's personal preference.

[miket]

Thanks for your help malcolm and roger. thinking of a nikon D3200 with a 18-55 and 70-300mm lens.

 

Mike

[Bibs]

The 18-55 will be useless for wildlife, spend the money from that on a nice tripod

 

Essentially, any decent camera is going to get good shots nowadays, for wildlife photography you just need the focal length to get close without disturbing them.

 

The more megapixels your camera has, the bigger you can print the image but to be fair, who prints big images?

 

Asking a photographer what equipment he uses to take amazing photo's is like asking an artist which brushes he uses, or an author which word processing software. Essentially, they're all tools, it's how you use them so for a starter I'd also recommend a cover to cover read of Understanding Exposure, a great book to learn what the 'M' setting is and why to use it on a modern camera and them some. 

[Malcolm Feth]

"what the 'M' setting is and why to use it on a modern camera and them some"

I didn't know there are other options

[Alan Paterson]

For wildlife, you're looking for a lens like a Sigma 150-500mm. Try a secondhand Nikon D200 body and a secondhand Sigma 150-500 which would fit your budget. Then if you have to sell them again you won't lose much money.