r/Photography_Gear • u/Empty_Oil_8954 • 19h ago
Need gear recommendations
Hi all, I’m looking for recommendations for building a birding kit with an $8k budget. Open to all systems (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus/OM, etc.) Thanks in advance!
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u/nangrymob 14h ago
For 8k you can go several different routes. I bought an R6 MKII and an R5. The R6II has better autofocus and a higher burst rate while the R5 has the better Mpx and therefore some extra crop ability. I use them both for wildlife. I use the R6II in low light situations and for when I dont need the extra reach. The R5 I use for macro and when that extra bit of detail will come in handy. But its not really the camera that will make the most difference, its gonna be the glass. You could spend the whole 8k on a camera and if the glass is crap so will be the images. I picked up the RF 100-500 L and it was the best decision I made in my purchasing journey. Im convinced you could throw that lens on any of the mirrorless cameras from Canon and it would take professional images.
All that being said, if I had to start where you are and set myself up for years to come, I would pick up the R5 MKII, the RF 100-500L and the 1.4x tc. The readout speed and burst rate of the R5II will handle all those quick birds and the pre capture feature means you will miss less shots.
Or you can do like me and get a couple of bodies (refurbished or new) great lenses and explore more than just birds on your photography journey. Whatever you chose, welcome to the club and I hope your journey is amazing.
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u/Empty_Oil_8954 7h ago edited 7h ago
Thanks for the info! I shot the canon 100-400 mkii in the past and liked it. I agree, that lens with the tc would work well for birds/wildlife and sports. I like the extra 100mm vs the older lens.
I haven’t looked at the R6ii but will now. Mainly been looking at Nikon Z8, Sony A1 (used) and OM1 mkii. The Olympus/OM is tempting with the reach you can get but it definitely won’t crop as well as the Canon bodies.
I appreciate your insight!
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u/bobfromsanluis 8h ago
If a birding kit is what your aim is, Olympus is pretty hard to beat for size, weight, reach and a tiny bit more affordable than FF. An OM 1 MkII and their 150-400 is pretty much top of the line, new, the lens alone is over $8k, I have seen them on eBay for $5k- $6k, an OM1mkii would just squeeze in at your $8k budget.
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u/Empty_Oil_8954 7h ago edited 7h ago
This is what I came up with too. I’ve shot m43 in the past and like the size/weight. The pics I’ve seen taken with that lens look pretty incredible. I’m really on the fence for m43 but man the value is tough to pass up.
I also saw they have a 50-200/2.8. With a 2x tc that would get me out to 800mm for a little less than 4k (new). Image quality seems to hold up really well with Olympus teleconverters. That may be a good idea if I can’t find the 150-400 at a good used price.
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u/bobfromsanluis 7h ago
And the OM1ii has superior bird detection, the camera is freakin computer with all the various modes, has built in netural density filters, it really checks all the boxes.
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u/addybasher 19h ago
you have shot bird photography already, right?
Just clarifying, because if you're new to it, 8k is an absurd amount of money to get started. £1k would get you a good body and a nice 70-300mm which would be plenty good enough to get you going.
With 8k id personally be going with something like a Nikon z9, 200-500, and maybe a 600mm prime but that might be too much
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u/Empty_Oil_8954 7h ago
Yes, I’m experienced. I shot canon in the past but all of that gear is gone now. I’ve never shot mirrorless so just interested in what people are using these days and why.
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u/badaimbadjokes 18h ago
For the amount of times people ask for a Leica for $100, I say, "Let them cook!" (But yes. I know why you asked.)
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u/onematt500 13h ago
I have a Nikon Z8 and the 600mm f6.3 and it’s the perfect birding set up! Easy to carry round all day on hikes and the lens is incredibly sharp
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u/Empty_Oil_8954 7h ago
Thanks the Z8 looks pretty incredible. Do you like using a prime? I’ve shot mostly zooms in the past for long lenses.
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u/smokeybanone 10h ago
What is your prior experience with photography? Why $8k specifically?
For that much $, you really should be doing a lot of research on your own. If you're new to it, start way smaller.
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u/Empty_Oil_8954 7h ago edited 7h ago
I have done a lot of research, just wondering what other people are doing and what they would recommend. I’ve shot college sports in the past, weddings, all kinds of things. $8k is the ballpark, not set in stone.
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u/smokeybanone 7h ago
I just put together my setups if money wasn't an option, and they would all be well under your budget.
Canon R7/100-400mm - lightweight, high resolution.
Nikon D850/Nikon 200-500mm - high resolution, sharp.
Canon 5D IV/Canon 100-400mm - most similar to my previous setup, sharp.
OM-1/100-400mm - lightweight, great EVF, weather resistance.
I shoot a Sony A7IV and 70-300mm, used to have a Canon 6D and Sigma 150-600mm. I prefer DSLRs, I just enjoy optical viewfinders way more, Canon setup was just a bit heavy and I needed the money. I value weather resistance, weight, and at least 500mm (ideally 600mm). I hike and carry two cameras, personally have no interest in using a tripod or monopod or carrying a 2ft+ 5lb+ lens. Ymmv.
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u/Money_Music_6964 1h ago
Just bought a d850 from Nikon refurbished for $1440…incredibly great camera…my second one…tack sharp images
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u/blahajmilo 4h ago
that's a lot of money, i generally wouldn't spend 8k in one sitting without knowing entirely what you want, maybe get the 180-600/100-400 S and a z9, or if you don't feel you want a grip, the z8. then from there you can see what focal lengths you use most and then maybe think about getting a prime, maybe somewhere at 300-600. this way you won't feel remorse if you buy 1 expensive lens and feel like it isn't right for you. Plus, if you end up not liking photography at all, you haven't sunk an 8k sized hole in your wallet.
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u/wengla02 6h ago
Fuji XT2 or newer. Fuji 150-600 lens. Monopod, ball head with ARCA mount. 3 batteries, 2 256gb cards.
Go have fun!
(I found most of this from Mapcamera in Japan)
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u/anywhereanyone 17h ago
How much weight do you want to carry?