Newbie wanting more zoom!

[table1349]

There is the http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...es/zoomsMF/Sigma3501200APO/sigma3501200mm.htm

or the http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/12001700mm.htm

for those wanting ultimate reach at any cost.

That's because Nikon doesn't know what real reach is. THIS it real reach:

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I second the Sigma 150-500 lens. You can often pick them up on ebay used for around $700. As KMH stated, its an outdoor daylight lens, but its the most reach you are going to get for under $1000, without teleconverters and with stabilization. I will add though that I don't think the Sigma 500mm budget zooms (50-500 and 150-500 ) actually reach 500mm. I think its more like 460mm or something. There is a tolerance allowed when claiming lens focal lengths.

 

[Neiby]

This should solve the problem: Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Autofocus Lens 597306 B&H

O M F G! That beast would require two people just to get it attached to the camera!

 

[Patrice]

You know you can also get long telephoto range from telescopes. For about $1000 you could get a short tube triplet apochromatic refractor including the required camera adaptors. Fast f4.0 or so, 400 mm focal length or near that, no chromatic aberration and flat field as well. I have used 1000 mm f5 and a 400 mm f4 refractors as camera lenses. Fast catadioptric telescopes are even less expensive but the bokeh has that ugly doughnut appearance.