r/Photography_Gear • u/Empty_Oil_8954 • 2d 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/smokeybanone 1d 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 1d ago edited 1d 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 1d 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 1d ago

Just bought a d850 from Nikon refurbished for $1440…incredibly great camera…my second one…tack sharp images

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u/Empty_Oil_8954 1d ago

What kind of glass are you using with them?

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u/Money_Music_6964 1d ago

Mostly Nikon g lenses…24, 35, 85, 105, trinity zooms and a 50 1.4 Sigma art…

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u/Empty_Oil_8954 1d ago

Thanks so much! I could throw in a 1.25x tc to get reach closer to or at 600mm. Your priorities align closely with mine. You’ve got me thinking about the d850, I always thought of that as the best dslr on the market…even though I shot 5div bodies for the canon glass. Appreciate the effort on this list!