My wife and I have been talking and she's been mentioning that I should be looking into the high-powered lenses. I've come up with 5 options that encompass two lenses.
Option 1: The Whole Kit and Caboodle.
LensRetailer Price Price w/tax Per/Month Savings
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4 G IF ED VR The Camera Store 9,646.47 10,847.65
Nikon AF-S VR 200-400mm F4 G IF-ED Broadway Camera 6,439.99 7,213.00
Nikon TC-14EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-17EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-20EIII The Camera Store 548.77 614.62
Gitzo 5561 SGT 6X tripod B&H Photo 1,299.00 1,534.51
Wimberley WH-200 B&H Photo 594.95 691.06 21,810.62 $ 610.00/mo
Nikon AF-S VR 200-400mm F4 G IF-ED
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4 G IF ED VR
Option 2: Just the Big One and TCs Plus Tripod
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4 G IF ED VR The Camera Store 9,646.47 10,847.65
Nikon TC-14EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-17EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-20EIII The Camera Store 548.77 614.62
Gitzo 5561 SGT 6X tripod B&H Photo 1,299.00 1,534.51
Wimberley WH-200 B&H Photo 594.95 691.06 14,597.62 $ 408.00/mo
Option 3: Bare Bones and Use Monopod w/ Gimbal
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4 G IF ED VR The Camera Store 9,646.47 10,847.65
Nikon TC-14EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-17EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-20EIII The Camera Store 548.77 614.62
Wimberley WH-200 B&H Photo 594.95 691.06 13,063.11 $ 390.00/mo (use Wimberley on 680B Monopod - which I already own)
Option 4: Big Lens + TC
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4 G IF ED VR The Camera Store 9,646.47 10,847.65
Nikon TC-14EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-17EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-20EIII The Camera Store 548.77 614.62 12,372.05 $ 345.00/mo. (screw the Manfrotto 680B monopod onto the 600mm foot)
Option 5: 200-400VRII Option
Nikon AF-S VR 200-400mm F4 G IF-ED Broadway Camera 6,439.99 7,213.00
Nikon TC-14EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-17EII The Camera Store 396.15 454.89
Nikon TC-20EIII The Camera Store 548.77 614.62
Gitzo 5561 SGT 6X tripod B&H Photo 1,299.00 1,534.51
Wimberley WH-200B&H Photo 594.95 691.06 10,962.97 $ 299.00/mo.
All of the "savings per month" is based on a 3 year save-up period. This is no longer a hobby, but a dead serious shot at a career in wildlife photography. I'm fed up with playing it safe and I'm going for it. I'm getting the equipment in 3 years time.
Tough choice to make, but if you want to make a career of it, go big or go home. If it were me, I would likely go for option 1, but modified. I would replace the 200-400 (which apparently is rather poor for use on distant subjects), with the 300mm F2.8, for low light shooting. You could always have both of them ready to go with two cameras bodies, for different shooting distances as well.
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