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may be this will help

http://fotocentreindia.com/6-digital...-f2-8-stm.html

Thanks govigov, but with VAT it is coming to Rs 11,925. I am looking for something cheaper. I will give the local shops a look.

Also, have you used this site before?

Just my thoughts. I used to have an analogue SLR, now it is my son's toy. On one vacation I took along my brother's DSLR with two lenses. The bulk of the camera and dedicated bag was so cumbersome, it was psychologically restrictive.

Before going on the next vacation (to the one above) I bought a super zoom P&S. The convenience far out weights any apparent loss of quality over a DSLR. Moreover the photos are just for viewing on PC / TV and Facebook. On the other hand I will still go for DSLR for specific needs; due to the inherent quality, controls available and ease of composition. I find that composing through a viewfinder is much easier because your field of view is restricted to it.

So the 3rd big super tele is here. The 400mm F/2.8, that I call Bumble Bee. This chap weighs nearly as much as the 600mm monster that arrived in December. The 300mm F/2.8, Optimus Prime, is the lightest and most portable of the lot.

Got myself a Wimberley head + plates this month (at the cost of a blasting from the spouse).

2 beautiful primes - the 24mm F/1.4G and 35mm F1.4G & the SB910 flash were delivered along with the 400mm super tele. I will in all probability use the 35mm more than the 50mm 1.4G.

The dream kit is in place. I am not into macros as of now so the 105mm AF-S VR was given a skip.

Post my holidays with the family and my work schedule, I haven't had much time to explore and work with the lenses. Here's to spending a lot of time perfecting long lens techniques.

These super teles are a different cup of tea (or coffee if that's your preferred beverage) compared to regular lenses. I liken it to driving a 40 metric ton tractor-trailer or a Volvo/Merc twin rear-axle bus after having driven a passenger car.

Oh well, I'll get that technique after some practice hopefully someday. I am a good driver after all lol:

Cheers!

Congratulations R2D2, please post some photos made with these bees ;).

Congrats!! That's a mighty collection of Nikkor primes that you possess now. I guess it will be difficult to travel everywhere with the 400 and 600 together especially when you are after wildlife. So how do you plan to travel with bothe the behemoths at the same time. Actually I am looking for recommendations for a travel bag that will fit everything including your gitzo, gimbal, lenses and pro bodies.

Congrats! While I am moving towards smaller and smaller gear, you are going the other way.

I don't think a bag will do. He will need a pickup truck, time for a what car thread specialized for carrying photo gear.:)

Thanks Samurai.

Yes, we've been moving in opposite directions to be sure. I've been shooting this Nikon full frame system for many years now including film. The only reason I have not bought a m4/3rds (I think you guys know I love the Olympus OM-D) is because I had to purchase these lenses.

But wait, there's more to go like lens feet, protective gear may be a CPL too. Bottomless pit I tell you. I flinch at the costs involved. :(

LOL! :D

SPARKled I don't intend taking 2 or 3 on a trip. That is absolutely impractical due to the weight and size. I'll need a full time Sherpa to help me! :)

Only one will make the trip. The most likely candidate will be in decreasing order of size. So the 300mm (with or without a TC) will be the most frequently used with the 600mm least frequently. These are after all specialist lenses not exactly for day to day use unless all you specialize is in photographing only wild animals and birds.

BTW, did you purchase the 600mm? Hope you got a good price quote from an authorised dealer.

Thanks HW.

Honestly now that I am back in town, I am reading up on long lens techniques (LLT) which is mandatory to get the best from these lenses. Like my analogy to normal lenses, it's like buying a tractor-trailer or a large Volvo/Merc bus and then learning how to drive it. They are totally different from cars as these super teles are from "normal" lenses. So that's what is happening with me.

I haven't got the hang of it (LLT) yet and will practice my technique before travelling. I plan to visit Nagerhole and/or Kabini this year depending on a few factors.

Believe it or not, I am just as equally excited about the 24mm 1.4 and 35mm 1.4. Those will be in use much more frequently for landscapes and candid shots.

Excellent post. I often feel the same. My Canon P&S sees more use than my DSLR. For one the P&S is always handy. For another everyone from my wife to my mom to my friends get embarrased everytime I go "John Rambo".

And really for 80% of the shots taken a simple P&S does a pretty good job. Some high end ones in good hands would compete with a DSLR.

Higher end mobile phones do a pretty good job in terms of taking photos anytime, anywhere - especially social/people photos. I am not sure it makes sense carrying P&S if you have a good Smartphone camera.

And during many of my trips I found the 70-300mm (for wildlife etc.) and Galaxy S2 (for wider angle shots) a very easy to carry, always ready combination - useful when driving or while hiking. E.g. most of the photos on this post were taken by a smartphone camera: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post2705335. Just get out of the vehicle, shoot, put the mobile back in the pocket and carry on.

The best kit is the one that is always there for you. An 8 MP camera from a smartphone can capture those spontaneous moments very well - and IMO the moment is more important than picture quality.

Yes of course! I don't capture everyday images with my DSLR. I agree that it gives fantastic photos lot of which I got printed and converted to albums, calanders, cups and all kind of merchandise, but I don't carry it daily. The bulk of it, the thought in mind to use appropriate lenses for appropriate pics and that too in time ( at times, situation do not even allow you time to blink even, do they?) and the constant fear to knock it down with something if it is not in the bag, all these means that it is kept at home, in the bag, in the cupboard most of the times. P&S is what is used mostly and my wife's phone camera more frequently than anything (I don't use a camera mobile, thanks to the policies of my organisation).

This EVIL thing is really cool! Where do I get more information (of course I can google) first-hand? What brand/model are you using Samurai? Any comparative study?

Oh how I wish I could get the 600 asap. But it has to wait. When I had the funds for it last year, bought a new Figo instead stupid:.
But I will be getting the D800E next week and I am getting a better price from an authorized Nikon dealer in Mumbai than the Camshot price that I thought could not be bettered. So next month in Bharatpur, Chambal and Dhikala will be super shooting with a spanking new D800E instead of my old trusty but now hopelessly antiquated D50. Frankly I am quite excited at this prospect.

I completely agree with Samurai, although it depends on what you shoot. If you need long and heavy primes, nothing else will work.

For my type of shooting - people, travel, landscape - lightweight is essential. It's a reason why I haven't gone full frame. A Nikon DX body with the 18-200 VR is hard to beat in terms of weight and versatility. A normal prime for speed and a 12-24 mm make the perfect travel kit for me.

In fact, I'm toying with the idea of selling off my 80-200/2.8 ED because at 1.3 kgs it's such a dog to carry around that I hardly use it.

Will be looking forward to you photos!

And your's too, R2D2.

You guys have the gear I lust over :)

+1

The requirement drives the purchase.

For lightweight use I use a Sony 10 MP PNS and/or my Samsung phone's camera.

The latter, well, just about passes muster. As with other people these 2 cameras get far more use than others. My wife uses the PNS frequently (she's a painter) and I have been considering getting her an OM-D. But that will be for later maybe when the OM-D II comes out.

Thanks nilanjanray. It's a ton of gear (pun intended) for me to get familiar with. I am a beginner in the world of super telephotos. Lots of work on LLT to be done. Been reading a lot, need to put that into practice and develop a technique that I am comfortable with.

Glad you got a good deal. Just put some good glass on that body and let that superb sensor rip. :D Hope to see some pics from Chambal et al. The D800/E excels for landscapes and scenes that require high DR.

Which lenses do you intend to carry on your trip? A fast telephoto (e.g. 70-200 F/2.8?) and a sharp WA (e.g. 16-35 F/4 VR) ?

Wish you good luck with the 800E. :)