Binoculars or FZ-camera?

[lvn600]

For those of you who carry a Panasonic fz camera or similar type I have a couple of questions.
1)Do you always carry both while out birdwatching? If not what determines which one you take with you?
2)How do you determine whether there is a picture worth taking?
3)How long does it take you to get your camera ready and snap off a shot?
4)where do you carry your camera?
5)What percentage of the time are you successful in taking the picture you want?
Thanks you for your comments in advance.-Larry

[IanF]

Hi Larry,

I have the FZ20, most often with a Tcon-17 teleconverter permanently attached.

In response to your queries -

1) I always take the binoculars with me as they're most useful whatever the conditions. Depending on the location and weather conditions I may take the FZ20 as well. The deciding factor is whether the birds are close enough (up to 20') and it's at least bright skies with some sign of the sun around. For bird photos with the FZ20 you need to be pretty close and have good lighting. For anything more distant I take the scope instead.
2) Bird must be close in good lighting. With digital even if it doesn't come out it costs nothing so take plenty of photos and delete the rubbish. The species itself doesn't really matter, though sometimes I visit a certain location with a species in mind. Most I'd say are opportunistic.
3) 5-10 secs. I carry mine assembled in a shoulder camera bag set on IS0 80, IS2, P - so it's open the flap -switch it on as taking it out - and zoom to max whilst centering it in the viewfinder/LCD. The maybe swap to A with default of f8 if light is good enough or switch on flash if needed.
4) Camera bag with shoulder strap ready assembled with converter attached - sometimes just Tcon-17 but sometimes with Tcon-14 added as well.
5) Hit and miss - it isn't an exact science whatever equipment you use. Take loads of shots and usually get some keepers. Some days just about every one is decent other days very few.

[lvn600]

Thanks-your answers give me a pretty good perspective on the subject.

[didnotbat]

Hi Larry - greetings from a wet UK.

I also have an FZ20/TCON17 .....

1] Like IanF I always carry bins but whether I also carry the FZ20 or not depends on the location. For instance I generally do not find much use for this camera at coastal or lakeland sites so usually only carry a heavy set of bins. For woodlands I find the FZ20 really comes into its own and, to save weight, I would carry a very light set of bins (10*25).

2] I don't - I just fire off shots until either the objective has flown or I decide that I have enough. As long as you have spare memory and batteries it really does not matter whether it is worth taking a shot - just do it and delete the dross later.

3] Bit longer than IanF, I would say 10-15 seconds. The camera is pre-set to my favoured settings (Aperture priority, spot AF/metering, IS2, ISO 80, EVF)

4] I have the TCON17 permanently attached for birding and find a Crumpler extra large 'Ben's Pizza' bag easily accommodates the camera+lens+ bins+ associated odds and sods.

5] 0-50%+. The former was yesterday in the pouring rain in woodlands near my home, the latter was at Asa Wright

david

[lvn600]

Thanks for your response David. Wet over here as well.