Newbie advice

[Brian S.]

I'm an experienced birder but a newbie when it comes to photography.  I'd like to change that, but don't know where to start when it comes to equipment (except that I know I want to use digital).  Any particular equipment you love, or hate, or any resources you can point me to?  Much appreciated.

[Kin Lau]

What's your budget, and how "serious" do you want to get?

I would say that right now, the "biggest bang for the buck" system, is the Canon Rebel XT + Sigma 50-500. It's still a lot of buck (approx $2500 CDN before taxes), but it's a very capable setup and it'll take you a while to outgrow it.

At the low end of the market, Canon still has the best AF for wildlife/birds. The Nikon D200 is about the 1st contender at the midrange against the Canon 20D/30D. The high end DSLR's from both Nikon & Canon are both fine, but the Canon 1DmkII is the current camera of choice for serious bird shooters.

I would not recommend a Point-n-Shoot digicam, but the Panasonic FZ series is the closest match for whatever doesn't move or doesn't move fast.

[Tommy]

I would second Kin Lau’s suggestion
But a better system is the Canon Rebel XT with the Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS + Canon EF 1.4X II tele-photo converter, the image produced by a Canon L series lenses is always better than that of any Sigma or Tamron lenses.
Also the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS is also a consideration, but I prefer a prime lenses over a telephoto zoom lenses anyday.

The ideal birder setup is the Canon 1D Mark II N couple with the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS and the Canon EF 1.4X II tele-photo converter.

The problem with a super-telephoto P&S camera like the Panasonic FZ series cameras is that while it is good for record shots, the quality is less desirable especially if you need to print the photos.
Also digiscoping is a consideration, look at the following links: http://nikon.topica.ne.jp/bi_e/how_to/digisco/index.htm also http://www.birddigiscoping.com/mmswar.jpg and http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/ ... index.aspx

A few website that you can do your Canon research:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon

[Wulff]

Couple other thoughts from somneone who recently went through the process of getting started.
Alot will depend on your budget and your anticipated wants.

On bodies.
Probably the 2 most important aspects are the AF capabilities, fps ( and buffering capacity). I find the XT just fine in most situations but it can struggle getting focus on small, fast movers.
Example: Swallows. In order to get swallows in flight nothing short of a pro body will do.

On FPS
Im not as familiar with other bodies so wont comment, but mention that as something to keep in mind as some PnS camera's may have the fps but no buffering capacity so your max burst at high res may only be a couple shots, then you have to wait a few seconds. With the XT and at the highest res Ive yet to have trouble with 3fps and max burst.

On Lenses.
I would say the minimum focal length you want is 400mm if its important to you. If not 300mm can do the trick. Other things to consider are their repective AF speeds, aperatures, IS, limiters. Theres no perfect lens and for the most part its all about trade offs. Budget vs IQ vs focal length vs max aperature vs IS etc.

Primes are typically regarded as the best "bird" lenses but the trade off is limited application.
Zooms have more flexibility but  trade off a tiny bit of IQ and AF speed.

Zoom options tend to be the Canon 100-400L, the Sigma 50-500 and the Tamron 200-500. In thi group there are differences in weight, AF speed ( thats one of the knocks on the T 200-500) IQ and budget.

So it really depends on what you *want* and there are no one or two answers.
Example: I wanted a bird/wildlife set-up, so I was leaning towards the 400mmprime. My wife who knows nothing about photography insisted on a zoom so I can take pics of the kids at the zoo/park etc also wanted IS once I explained that. Guess which lens I got

TCs and Tubes are also accessories to consider.

In closing:
Look for fps/buffer/af capabilities in your body

Decide on max focal length you want be it 300, 400 or 500
Decide on prime (dedicated lens good for birds only) vs zoom ( less IQ, less AF speed dependant on maker but more flexibility)

Find one that comes closest to budget and requirements.
Some lenses may also require a monopod.
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[Brian S.]

Thank you all for your very helpful and detailed replies.  Any thoughts on the pros and cons of digiscoping vs a straight camera/lens setup?

[Tommy]

If you are a photographic purist or an outdoors photographer with the aspect of being able to sell the photos one day, than definitely dSLR with a good lens. The trouble is the cost factor and the longest lens alone, which is the 1200mm will be in the $100K++ range (used) that is if you can find one. (A new 600mm lenses will be around $10K) The cons are cost, range, weight and mobility of the lenses and the pros are superb quality photos.

With digiscoping, assuming that you are buying a new system, it will be around $3-4K and you get a good system than can go up to 8000mm. The cons here are the f/ stop, buffering & processing speed of the p&s camera and the quality of the photos. With the introduction of digiscoping using a dSLR camera recently, the speed and qualities of the photos are slightly improved but still lag from that of a lens system.
Then most birder will have a scope already and putting together a digiscoping system is just the time required for research, getting some customs parts made and a p&s camera for your scope which is definitely cheaper. I am currently building a digiscoping system and have put in days of research but haven’t decided on a camera yet and hopefully will be within weeks.  :?:

Here is a photo taken on the weekend in Second Marsh of a Bay-Breasted Warbler using my Canon 20D + EF 300mm f/4L IS + EF 1.4X II TC. (35mm film camera equivalent of 672mm) :arrow:

[Tommy]

Finally, the 2007 spring migration season is almost over and I have time to do some digiscoping experiment (a year too late!).

I have a relatively cheap setup with a Fuji F20 P&S camera handheld with an Eagle Denali 60mm X 15-45x scope, Gitzo 1227 tripod and Manfrotto 488RC2 quick release ballhead.

(This is the first image, taken at approx. 2000mm+, photo resized and sharpen to 75% by CS2)
The contrast and the sharpness are not good but it should be good enough as a personnel record photo. What do you all think? Anyone have experiment on a good digiscoping setup? Maybe digiscoping with a DSLR camera??

[Napper]

Hello Brian S

I use a D70 with a Sigma 50-500. It suites my needs for the time being.

I am having a bit of lens and camera envy thou.. My friend in Mississauga has set himself up with a Canon 30D and the 100-400IL, his images while somewhat retouched are stunning..He has found this neat little spot that attracts an awful lot of migrating birds right in the heart of suburbia...

His camera and lens was around  $ 3500.  

have a look :shock:

http://www.treknature.com/members/Mariol/photos/


Napper