Nikon D40

[wazz]

I have a Nikon D40 and the biggest lens I own is a Nikon AF-S 70-300mm, which really dosen't get very close at all. I see everybody's pictures of the Eagles or even the birds in their backyard. I was hoping someone could suggest a lens. I can take a nice picture, but the only way I would get that close to the eagles is if they were dead.

Anyone?

[JohnK]

What is your budget? Top of the line is going to run you around $10,000 for a 600mm F/4 VR. Amazing lens, with an amazing price too.

I have the Sigma 150-500, it works very well and runs a bit under $1,000. If that's still out of your budget I'm afraid you're just going to have to live with the 70-300 and work on stalking closer to your subjects.

There are some options between those prices but the unfortunate reality is if you want big reach you have to spend big money.

[ricerdude69]

Me and my fiance go out photographing birds all the time. She has a sigma 50-500, I have a 70-300. I know your pain. My advice would be start saving now for the best telephoto glass you can afford, something in the 400-500mm range, if you don't mind used lenses that is your cheapest route. My fiance got her sigma for $500 second hand in great shape. There is hope with your 300mm as well, I will say I have gotten quite a few awesome pictures with my setup. Obviously my success rate is much lower then if I have the longer lens, you definitely learn how to sneak up on and get closer to birds.

[pulsar_nx]

Another thing to think about is that the newer cameras have a higher megapixel sensors and can crop out more than a d40.

You could look into a teleconverter if a bigma is too expensive right now.

[yakfisher]

I have the taken shots of eagles with the 70-300 and they have turned out well. But I also picked up a used sigma 150-500 just to get the extra reach that you are talking about. Both lenses have their place. The 70-300 is just small enough you can shoot it handheld with good results. The 150-500 is a bit on the heavy side but with monopod or a support like a bushhawk you can increse the number of keepers.