Bird Photography?

[DJMorgan]

I seem to find myself using my Sigma 70-300mm lens, and I seem to find myself taking a lot of photos of birds as this is something I enjoy, Could anyone recommend a lens that isnt to expensive, but that is good to use as I`m new to the bird photographing scene in a case?

Thanks either way

 

[artyman]

In bird photography focal length is everything, well almost, the best bang for buck is the Sigma 150-500, the Sigma 50-500 OS is reputed to be a tad better but is more expensive. This is a crop from my Sigma150-500 on a Canon 350D.

 

[DJMorgan]

I think that lens is most likely what I`d go for, looks good, and sounds like it will do the job great, Thanks

I love that image too

 

[modchild]

If that's the one you're interested in you'd be wise to get it here http://panamoz.com/index.php/hot-de...m-for-canon-digital-and-film-slr-cameras.html unless you particularly want to get a UK model for warrany purposes. Panamoz's 3 year warranty means you'd have to send it to Hong Kong for the work to be done, but a UK model is probably around £150 more expensive.

 

[AHILL]

Whatever you go for dont forget that f6.3 needs a hell of a lot of light to give you a decent shutter speed even at high ISO.

ideally you should be looking at something at f4 IMHO as our little friends tend to like the darker corners as you know so you would get more use from it.

 

[gary996]

Canon 100-400 f4. Not as much reach but not too much shorter and meant to be very sharp.

 

[pooley]

Good lens but the OP uses Nikon!

 

[ACW]

Depends where you live and what kind of light you get, here's a few examples from my 150-500. Some are crops, some aren't.


Gulls Feeding by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 313 mm
ISO Speed 400


Great Tit by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 500 mm
ISO Speed 2500


Summer Tanager by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 500 mm
ISO Speed 1250

I've tried to throw a mixed bunch in there to show the difference in image quality at different ISOs.

I could have opened the lens up to 6.3 at the long end, but most of these are stopped down a bit to show you that you can still get shots at f7+. Particulary the shot with the Summer Tanager was under quite a think canopy shooting into a small lit spot and it didn't handle too badly.

If you wanted any shots from a particular aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, give me a PM or whatever and I'll send you some/post them on here to give you an idea.

Hope that helps.

 

[artyman]

The Canon 100-400 is only f4 at 100mm at 400mm where you will be 99% of the time it's f5.6 so only 1/3 stop difference from the Sigma. The only way to get f4 at 500mm is the Canon which is at least five times the price!