Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD vs Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR for Safaries?

[KakaJeet]

I am confused between which camera to buy along with which lens. My main priority is Wildlife mainly Bigcats, especially tigers as i live in India. Next priority is just travel photography (nature mainly) with friends and family. I am not a professional photographer, i am a doctor and i have just started my practice. But i love wildlife and i travel for safaries once or twice every year. I would like to get into serious wildlife photography and casual travel photography. Here in India a Nikon 200-500mm is mostly used in safaris. So i am thinking of the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 on DX body is about 25-600mm but i have heard it has very poor sharpness and poor stabilization at the long end hand held as i will be doing hand held only. So will it be wise to get the 18-400mm now or just get the 70-300mm VR kit lens for now and get the Sigma 150-600mm or, Nikon 200-500 in a couple of years.

I have heard the new kit lens 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3g af p dx ed vr is sharp and fast.

And for other travel purposes the 50mm f/1.8.

I am a beginner.

My budget is around 45k roughly $675 but if the Tamron 18-400mm is really worth it now then i can extend my budget otherwise not. I would wait and get the Sigma 150-600mm a few years later.


These are my options

1) Nikon D3400 body only with Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 - around 65k roughly $956

2) Nikon D3400 with dual kit lens 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm AF-P DX VR. - around 36k roughly $530

3) Nikon D3400 with dual kit lens 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm VR along with 50mm f/1.8 - around 46k roughly $676

4) Nikon D5300 with dual kit lens 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm AF-P DX VR - around 45k roughly $662

5) Nikon D5300 with 50mm f/1.8 and 70-300mm VR - around 52k roughly $764

6) Nikon D5600 with dual kit lens 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm AF-P DX VR - around 50k roughly $743

7) Nikon D5600 with 50mm f/1.8 and 70-300mm VR - around 57k roughly $838

 

[kanewolf]

Start with a Bogen monopod. Plus a mini-tripod. Any LONG lens requires mechanical stabilization at some point.

The D5300 is pretty old (2013 model).

Have you considered renting your LONG lens when you actually need it? You could rent a genuine Nikon for the trip. Not sure if that is an option in India, but in the US that is a good option for specialty lenses.

 

[KakaJeet]

its in a maruti gypsy and i will be with 5 other people so no space for tripods and all.
I have to hand held it mostly.
Sometime later maybe i will be able to afford an exclusive gypsy for Safaries.
The D5300 has all the goodies of d5600 except the touchscreen and it as 39 AF points compared to 9 AF points on D3400.
Will the tamron 18-400 be sharp handheld at 300mm -400mm with the D3400?
Otherwise i will go with the Nikon 70-300mm AF-P DX ED VR with the D5300.
Next season may buy the sigma 150-600mm.

 

[kanewolf]

I didn't recommend a tripod, but a MONOpod. Something like this -- https/www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-Lightweight-Element-Monopod-MMELEA5RD/dp/B01MTLH408

 

[KakaJeet]

ya i checked a monopod or maybe a bean bag but the problem is the vehicle moves if the tiger moves because they come pretty close. I have considered hiring the Sigma 150-600mm or Nikon 200-500mm. So out of those 3 bodies which would be good or maybe anything other you can suggest within 700$ max budget including lenses.