What gear need for bird shooting

[artyeo]

Hi.. I am still green bird photography .... Need advise from any one here ..
what lens is needed for bird shooting .. my gear D200 + KENKO 1.4 TC PRO 300 +NKON 80-200.. + SB 800 .... picture comes out not sharp ... :stuck:|=(|

[ccsial]

You didn't mention a tripod. Holding the camera steady and good technique are very important. Having said that, how much are you willing to spend becomes the next question. Photography is one of the hobbies where spending more money does make you better. At the least I would consider the 80-400VR. the 200-400VR and the 500F4 are superb but very expensive. There are also some pretty good third party lenes which are cheaper than Nikon.

One other thing. Getting as close to the birds as possible is better than any long lens. A blind of some type is helpful in this regard.

[artyeo]

You didn't mention a tripod. Holding the camera steady and good technique are very important. Having said that, how much are you willing to spend becomes the next question. Photography is one of the hobbies where spending more money does make you better. At the least I would consider the 80-400VR. the 200-400VR and the 500F4 are superb but very expensive. There are also some pretty good third party lenes which are cheaper than Nikon.

One other thing. Getting as close to the birds as possible is better than any long lens. A blind of some type is helpful in this regard.
so a tripod is a must you mean .... talking about getting near to the bird ... any tips how ... every times I try to get around 10 to 20 meter ..opps they are gone ...

[DFBHeron]

so a tripod is a must you mean .... talking about getting near to the bird ... any tips how ... every times I try to get around 10 to 20 meter ..opps they are gone ...


Probably depends on the species, how accustomed to people the species are, and if the species are present in the area. I have never used a blind, but generally wear unobtrusive colors and find a place where I've scared off birds or know birds habitate, set up my gear, make myself comfortable, and wait. 10 mins usually, and I find that the residents resume their normal activity.
You're using a 200mm zoom, with a 1.4x converter, which isn't going to give you much focal length. But, others may disagree with me on that. have fun! I;m new to the photography bit too, so enjoying reading the threads!

[artyeo]

Probably depends on the species, how accustomed to people the species are, and if the species are present in the area. I have never used a blind, but generally wear unobtrusive colors and find a place where I've scared off birds or know birds habitate, set up my gear, make myself comfortable, and wait. 10 mins usually, and I find that the residents resume their normal activity.
You're using a 200mm zoom, with a 1.4x converter, which isn't going to give you much focal length. But, others may disagree with me on that. have fun! I;m new to the photography bit too, so enjoying reading the threads!

tks for the tips and advise .. any idea of third party 500mm lens recommended .....

[stoop]

I'd go somewhere to look around and practise on gulls, crows, herons, kites etc with your 200mm (is that 300 with the D200?) A prefect length for starting out with flight shots in parks or riversides for such species. 500mm (or 650mm) is a narrow view and could be a little frustrating if starting on little active species.)You should quickly discover by your own experience just how much longer you want to go depending on where you go and what subjects you come across and really want to get. I got some nice flight shots just using a sigma 70-300mm on a film camera a decade ago (-used 70-250mm manual set-up back in the '80s and managed some ok). A wider angle of view can be useful til you get familiar with the behaviour of your subjects....then get longer bit by bit until comfortable. (If you want the reach immediatley I believe Sigma50-500 is ok) I currently use a 400mm f5.6 (600mm) but feel 300 to 450mm is most comfortable for me. happy birds!

[ccsial]

Artyeo:

I use a tripod as much as possible. A long lens amplifies any camera movement. If you don't use a tripod then a VR lenes is highly valuble.

It helps to learn some habits of the birds you want to shoot. I try to find places birds frequent and then wait. A car can make a good blind. I have set my tripod up outside the car rear window and then sat inside and waited. I have also used tents and natural cover. When I move it do it really slow since birds sense motion easily.

If you are just walking and want to get that quick shot it is harder to get close. Some of those shots just involve luck. The more you do this the more experience you'll get. I always thought as long as I am still learing I am still having fun.

I would look for a Sigma 500 F4.5. That is a very nice lenes. I have used one of those with real good results.

[artyeo]

Tks stoop and ccsial for the tip and advise ...I appreciate it
what about ...Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO RF HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens (Nikon F)
ya .. normally what ISO setting (I use to set to 400) and speed used ... and .. any flesh?
with my 200mm I need it set to 1/250s to prevent shake if with flesh maybe can go lower ... what will birds respond to flesh light ...

[DFBHeron]

tks for the tips and advise .. any idea of third party 500mm lens recommended .....

I've never used a 500mm, but people on this board like the Tamron 200-500, and especially the sigma 50-500. I just sold my nikkor 80-400 VR zoom in favor of a Nikon APS 300mm F4 EDIF based on reading threads about sharp results here on this website. The TC's work well with this lens--apparently--I'll see what sort of success I have. On my 80-400VR I was always at 400mm, and I found it difficult to get crisp shots at that focal length. Same with the 70-300VR at 300mm. But there are some really good photographers out there using these zoom lenses with excellent results. But the 'prime' lenses are supposed to be sharper. A lot of getting good shots has to do with technique. Thats the part I'll be learning for hte rest of my life! :king:

[DFBHeron]

3:-):gh::gh::gh::king:

my duaghters wanted to see these characters==sorryB (:

[ccsial]

I don't have experience with any zoom except the 80-400VR and I can say it is not as good as my 500F4. The 500 is sharper and has better contrast too. The advantage to the 80-400 is I can use it without a tripod to get shots I would otherwise not even get. It is not practical for me to walk around with the 500 and tripod.

Unfortunately, lens performance is pretty much equal to price. Finding a good used lens it the best solution to cost.

A flash can be used for low light or to stop action but for birds you will want a flash extender. I posted a link to the one I use just recently on this forum under the flash topic.