Good Birding Camera Set for a (Relative) Beginner

[Hilander]

Hi,

My first posting, although I've been a lurker for a while.  Excellent forum!

My wife and I went out to Lynde Shores Conservation Area (Whitby) today to do some birding.  We both have some very, very nice binoculars (Wind River Cascades 10 x 42) and saw some gorgeous birds - Bobolinks, Yellow Warblers, American Goldfinches, Baltimore Orioles, Mallards, etc - but, we'd like to take the viewing to the next level and start taking pictures of these birds.  My digital point and shoot (Coolpix S510) just doesn't cut it!!

So, I'd greatly appreciate understanding what digital SLR system you all would recommend.  I've been captivated by the Nikon D5000 commercials ...

Cost is a bit of a factor at the moment, but if we hold off about 6 months, we'll be able to afford more.  So, say upto $1000 each for a body and lens at the moment ... and upto $2500 each later.

How about lens?  Am I looking at having to have a 300 or 400mm lens?

Many thanks in advance.

Rory (Hilander)

[Mathew Rossi]

My personal recommendation is to look for a used Canon 30D body. It has pretty decent performance and will serve you well. That may save you a bit of $$, and I'd then suggest putting it into the glass. A 400mm is what I'd suggest is the best to start with, if you get less you'll be wanting more quickly. You could also consider a 200mm L and a 1.4 teleconverter. I have no idea where but you may be able to find a Canon 400mm prime without IS (image stabilization) that may save you some cost, but the IS is nice to have. Sigmas can be good value in lenses, but read reviews first.

Sorry, all this is assuming you go the Canon route, I have nothing against Nikon but I started and stick with Canon happily.

It's a pricey hobby, but you can gradually expand your gear later while getting some nice stuff to start.

If you're looking to shoot thigns other than birds , I highly recommend getting some primes like the 50 f1.8 or 28 f/2.8, they're impressive lenses for the price and great for low light portraits, landscapes (28mm) etc.

[JMCDA]

Hi Rory - I shoot Nikon, just started "birding with camera"  2 yrs ago with a Nikon D40 and a 70-300mm VR zoom.  The D40 has been called "the gateway drug" to DSLR's LOL  It takes great pictures and I have been very happy with it - you can see some of my pics here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmcda/   We have had Nikon cameras forever and never been anything but happy with the brand.

However, now that I am hooked totally and completely I need more and will be buying new gear this year.  I have not read any really good reviews on the D5000 so far - the D90 is a better buy and a better camera apparently for less money.  I am looking at a D300 just for the durability over the consumer grade, but I might end up with a D90 which has similar features, depending on which one feels more comfortable in my hand.  I am not interested in the video ability - if I want to shoot shorts I will buy a camera made for video, and I really don't like that swivel screen on the D5000 - I wouldn't have time to use it.

I am conflicted on glass as well - would love a 500mm prime and a teleconverter but I think it is too much for me to carry around all day so not sure what I will end up with  - been looking at the Sigma 50-500, not sure about quality as I have only seen pics from one person I know who has it and the "other end of the lens" might be the problem as her shots are grainy and not so good.
I will probably go for a 400mm and a TC as more manageable for me but I can't decide.....I would have had new gear for this spring if I could make up my mind! LOL  Whatever lens you get it won't be enough...never enough
 (lens envy is a common malady this time of year, along with warbler neck and birders backache)

so if you want Nikon 'cause its the best (I'm going to start a war but I'm leaving for more birding) :-)  I would look at a D90 and either the 70-300mm VR zoom or the 80-400 VR zoom.

Joann

 As Mathew said, it is a pricey hobby but the challenge is so much fun!

Joann

[Kin Lau]

Hi Rory,

With a budget of $2000 total for both body and lens, the best combo I can think of is a 40D and 400/5.6L. Reasonably portable, very fast AF, and good image quality.

I really can't think of a better combo for the price.

[Neil]

Hi Rory If you are going to buy a Nikon I would suggest the D90 as the D40, D60 and D5000 don't have a built in focusing motor in the bodies. That means you can only get focusing with AF-S Nikon lenses, limiting your lens choices. All non AF-S lenses would be manual focus on those bodies. As for lenses the Nikon AF-S 300mm f 4.0 is really sharp and not too expensive, once you get into the 400/500mm range the price really goes up. I use my 300mm with either the Nikon 1.4 or 1.7 tele-converters that gives the a focal length of 420mm with the 1.4 and 510mm with the 1.7. You would probably need a good tripod or at least a monopod to go with it. You could also look at some Sigma lenses that have HSM or HMS, as they would focus on a D40, D60 or D5000.

Regards

Neil

[Hilander]

Wow,

Thank you all - such great information!  It just goes to show you how slick marketing can be, re: D5000, and how you really have to do research to determine the best equipment for (a) your requirements and (b) your budget.

I'm not "stuck" on Nikon, as my manual SLR system is a Canon A-1 body with 4 Canon lens ... but, I haven't used it in almost 7 years!  I've always thought that going outside of OEM lenses (glass) and using a teleconverter wasn't "kosher", but the more I've read the more I see this being done.  More to think about.

I really appreciate all of your thoughts and will now look to do some in-depth research.  Will definitely look at both Canon and Nikon.

Cheers, Rory

[TomTelford]

If you already have Canon glass then there's no reason not to look at a Canon DSLR.  I'm a Nikon guy and my main body is actually a Fuji S2 Pro (loosely equivalent to a Nikon D100 with a better sensor) but all my glass is old manual focus Nikon stuff.  My favourite short tele- is actually a Kiron lens from the early eighties, one touch zoom and focus which you just can't buy anymore.  

I don't know much about AF lenses but I gather its a whole new learning curve to get used to tracking little birds in trees, on water or in other unusual situations.  Though I'm not sure about Canon, I'd be surprised if there wasn't some level of compatibility with the new bodies.  To use my old lenses I have to operate MF and fully manual exposure but the old techniques kick in (boxing the exposure, depth of field priority, etc.) and with the preview screen, huge storage capacity and a little math, getting great exposures even fully manual becomes a snap.

My two cents.

Tom.