[CS P]

You can try to go with the 300mm F4 prime which is slightly more expensive than the 200-500 mm if you budget permits. Prime lens is an investment and an asset and will never let you down. It will also capture some of the most amazing pictures. The biggest advantage would be the weight. It will convert your camera into a 450mm F4 to F/5.6 which captures stunning photographs
if you still have a budget constraint, the Nikkor 200-500mm is a better lens than the sigma on a Nikon body. it is still a very capable lens for wildlife and people have captured some stunning images on them

[CS P]

Try renting out different lenses and camera configurations. check if you prefer one over the other and then check what it costs to buy one. The general rule is
1. Lens is important – 80% of your investment should be on the lens. This will define the family of cameras you will be loyal to and will invest in the future. Camera is just a medium to take photos and most of the work is done by an automatic computer (your brain) + lens. This is how I would approach it.

If Nikon, then

2. Camera can be a basic camera. it is advisable to wait and save up money on a full frame than on a crop sensor. you will hit those ISO limitations sooner than later and you will want a full frame.
Some good combinations like a Nikkor 200-500mm lens paired to a Z6 camera body +FTZ converter is a formidable wild life / landscape lens. I did see that someone was selling their 200-500 in the forum. try to check if it is affordable. Second Step would be to buy a FTZ converter. Third would be to go to a local camera store where you can rent multiple camera bodies and take them on your tours or for your learning. Once you are comfortable with a camera, you would have time to save up on a camera body and you can procure one.

if Sony, I would prefer to first buy the 200-600 lens and rent a camera body until I have enough money to invest in a full frame sony camera like the A7IV which is a good camera for wildlife and others

If its a canon that I am leaning towards, I would invest in their 100-400 lens (Not sure about the latest ones) and rent a camera body like the R6 or the R5 until I have enough to buy a camera body.

[CS P]

Most airlines will allow you to carry two bags in the cabin (one duffel and one backpack). One can be stowed away in the overhead bin and one under the seat as long as you are not in the emergency exit rows. I have always carried my Laptop / Nikon D500 / Nikkor 500mm F/5.6, 300MM F/4 and a 50mm /F1.8 along with all batteries and chargers in my backpack and have just about a weeks clothes in the duffel and never had a problem. you can carry camera gear in your cabin luggage as long as the length limitations are okay. The worst that can possibly happen in this case is when Airlines are flying full. They will automatically allow you to check in the duffel at no cost while allowing the camera bag to be carried with you. Peak design carry on duffel is large enough for 400-500mm lens and is small enough to fit the definitions of a carry on luggage. Any 22 Inch (H) X 14 Inch (W) X 9 Inc (breadth) back pack fits the bill.

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by  CS P.

[CS P]

Photographers always say that the key to taking stunning images is their gear, but they are wrong. The set up that you have is good enough to take excellent images. Please go through the wildlife master class and the basic and advanced photography courses to understand the principles of taking extraordinary images

[CS P]

if you are talking D7000 series, within the budget range, the nikkor F/4 300mm PF should fit. it will give you a focal length of about 450mm on your crop sensor camera body which is more than enough for most wildlife and birding photography. any increase in the focal length can be done with a 1.4 or a 2 X Teleconverter. To top it off, you will be able to fix this to a mirrorless body using a F to Z converter for Nikon. The advantage of a prime lens will always outweigh the zooms at any time. This will also force you to learn to move your feet to get the perfect shot and the right composition. Please do check if the lens is compatible with your camera.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by  CS P.

[CS P]

I have a Nikon Monarch 10X42. Try to check if you can get one at a reasonable price online. 12X50 is better with 40% instant magnification. Do not know the budget and hence cannot suggest. Bushnell ones are pretty good too.

You can also try to check the price in different countries and see if you know someone who is coming down to India and if they can accommodate it for you

[CS P]

Wonderful. Thank you very much for helping me with this. Will go through it

Just a thought sir if that is okay. Can we branch this video out and put it separately too. When we go to the website and go into the courses section, Wildlife photography masterclass comes in the end and these tips are important during the beginning of our Photography journey when we click urban birds near our houses or near lakes or woodlands.

Thank you once again for assisting.

Warm regards

CSP