What Can $1,000 Buy a Nature Photographer at MPB?

This feature is sponsored by MPB. Prices shown are examples of used listings at MPB at the time of writing; prices and availability change frequently.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on new equipment to expand your nature photography kit. The used market can make it possible to put together a surprisingly versatile setup for around $1,000 — one that covers wildlife, landscapes, close-ups and the practical demands of shooting outdoors.

We looked at current inventory from MPB, which buys and sells used cameras, lenses and accessories, to see what a roughly $1,000 budget can get you. The specific prices and inventory change frequently, but the examples below show the kinds of gear available and how far that budget can stretch.

1CameraA Capable Body Without the New-Model Price

The camera body is usually the most expensive single piece of a photography kit, but buying used can make a more capable camera accessible.

For a wildlife-oriented setup, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II is a solid starting point. MPB currently lists used examples from about $224, and the camera offers a 20.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 10 frames per second continuous shooting and a 65-point all cross-type autofocus system. That’s a lot of action-photography capability for a relatively small investment.

Other options include the Nikon D7200, with used examples starting around $364, or the Sony A6000, which starts around $389 and can shoot at up to 11 fps.

• Nikon D7200 at MPB
• Sony A6000 at MPB

The important point isn’t having the newest body. It’s getting a camera with the autofocus, speed and image quality to give you room to concentrate on finding and framing subjects.

2TelephotoGet closer to Wildlife

A long lens is one of the quickest ways to expand your nature photography. But you don’t necessarily need a $2,000-plus telephoto to start photographing birds, mammals and other distant subjects.

For Canon shooters, the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS is currently available used from about $112. Its 55-250mm range provides a useful combination of moderate telephoto and reach, while image stabilization helps when shooting handheld.

Nikon users can look at the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, with current used examples starting around $80. It adds another 50mm of reach compared with the Canon and includes Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system.

• Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm at MPB

For Sony APS-C users, the Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS is an especially inexpensive way to add a telephoto, with used examples starting around $56.

• Sony E 55-210mm at MPB

None of these lenses will replace a professional 400mm or 600mm prime, but they can open the door to wildlife photography without consuming the entire budget.

3The Wide-AngleSee the Bigger Picture

Nature photography isn’t always about filling the frame with a distant animal. A wide-angle lens can put a subject in its environment, emphasize a dramatic foreground or capture a sweeping landscape.

The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is a particularly budget-friendly option, with used examples currently starting around $140. On an APS-C Canon body, its 10mm setting provides a very wide perspective for landscapes and environmental nature images.

Nikon’s AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR starts around $194, while the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS starts around $304. Both provide ultra-wide perspectives and image stabilization.

• Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm at MPB
• Sony E 10-18mm at MPB

A wide-angle can also be useful for getting close to a flower, tree or rock while still showing the surrounding landscape — a technique that can make familiar subjects feel much more immersive.

4The MacroDiscover the Small Stuff

One of the advantages of a versatile nature kit is being able to change scale. Instead of photographing the eagle across the valley, you can spend an hour photographing the texture of a leaf, a butterfly or the intricate details of a flower.

The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a dedicated 1:1 macro lens and currently starts at about $264 for a used example in good condition. It’s compact, relatively light and fast enough at f/2.8 to provide plenty of control over depth of field.

For Nikon DX cameras, the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G starts around $146 and offers 1:1 reproduction.

• Nikon AF-S DX Micro 40mm at MPB

Sony APS-C photographers can consider the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro, with used examples starting around $130.

• Sony E 30mm Macro at MPB

Macro photography also doesn’t require a rare subject. A backyard, park or hiking trail can provide plenty of opportunities.

5The Essential AccessorySupport Your Photography

A good support system isn’t as exciting as a new lens, but it can have a significant impact on the images you make. A tripod can help with landscapes, macro photography, long exposures and low-light shooting.

One current option at MPB is the Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod, listed at $118 in excellent condition. It’s a compact, all-purpose tripod that’s small enough to make sense for photographers who spend a lot of time hiking or traveling.

• Tripods at MPB

If a tripod isn’t your preference, MPB’s used support inventory also includes options such as the Manfrotto MVM500A fluid monopod with 500 video head at $147 and a Sirui SH25 aluminum tripod with fluid head from $45.

The right choice depends on what and how you photograph. For long exposures and carefully composed landscapes, a tripod makes sense. For wildlife where mobility matters, a monopod can provide support without tying you to three legs.

More Possibilities for Your Money

Here’s one possible five-piece setup using current MPB examples: a Canon EOS 7D Mark II at about $224, Canon EF-S 55-250mm at $112, Canon EF-S 10-18mm at $140, Canon EF-S 60mm Macro at $264 and Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod at $111. That’s roughly $860 before tax, leaving room in a $1,000 budget for a memory card, extra battery or other small accessories. Prices and availability will change, but the basic idea remains.

The advantage of buying used isn’t simply paying less. It’s being able to put more of your budget toward variety. Instead of spending $1,000 on a single new lens, you can build a kit that lets you photograph wildlife from a distance, step back for a landscape, move in close for a macro image and stabilize the camera when conditions demand it.

For nature photographers, that versatility can be just as valuable as having the newest gear in the bag.