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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by Weekend Birder

  1. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Superb shots. Amazing detail - particularly the Gray Catbird. This is where the Tammy trounces the 400 5.6. In low light situations the IS is crucial. Even if my 550D plus 400+1.4x did AF (and this low light scenario is where it would commonly hunt and fail to AF), I would need 1/1000s to...
  2. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    True it's not perfect, it just works best for me. As I say I can understand the attraction of the Tammy.
  3. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    I use my 400 5.6 without the tc as my default set up. This means I am ready for a quick shot of opportunity for BIF and close birds. If I need to snap a distant wader, gull etc on the ground, I have my tc ready and it just takes a few secs to put on. If I'm worried about missing a shot, I may...
  4. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    It's a Kenko 1.4x teleplus pro 300. I don't think the converter is the important factor with the 400/5.6 + 1.4x. I've used several Kenko versions with success. I think the camera is the key factor. I use the Canon 550d which autofocuses at f8, even though it isn't supposed to. Again I will say...
  5. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

  6. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    A long range shot too. A Yellow-legged Gull at 230m (!) - measured on Google Earth. I don't want to hijack the Tammy thread with pics taken with a Canon lens though. I would be interested in seeing some long range Tammy shots or BIFs.
  7. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Here's a few more from my 550d and 400/5.6 + 1.4x. I've included a flight shot of a tern taken at about 50m, just to show the performance at medium range. I do think these comparisons are of limited value, however. They take no account of differences in range, lighting etc. If you get close...
  8. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    If I am using the 1.4x teleconverter, I use the humble Canon T2i (also known as the 550d). This gives me quite good AF at f8, despite the fact it is only supposed to focus at f5.6! Good enough for BIF in anything other than very poor light, although I mainly use it for long distance ground...
  9. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    I've seen several posts on forums from people who have had experience of both lenses say the same thing. The Tammy is a versatile lens, but the 400/5.6 without a teleconverter is simply the best BIF lens in the world.
  10. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Just to show the detail you can get from a close bird with the 400/5.6 + 1.4x. Range about 12ft, in poor light. ISO 800 only gave 1/500s at f8 - good job I had the lens resting on the hide window. Is the Tammy sharper? This suggests it may be...
  11. Weekend Birder

    Dove/Pigeon - Hyde Park, London

    Oops Mtem just beat me to it!
  12. Weekend Birder

    Dove/Pigeon - Hyde Park, London

    Juvenile Woodpigeon.
  13. Weekend Birder

    First Try With 7D And 400mm f5.6

    Nice light, sharp enough. Nowt wrong there Barry. I don't worry too much about giving the bird space to fly into, maybe just a touch, but not as much as Nick's example. Just personal preference.
  14. Weekend Birder

    BarWit or BlackWit / Dublin

    Yep. Also you can see the black tail on the top bird.
  15. Weekend Birder

    Canon SX50 Bird & Wildlife Gallery Update

    Lovely lighting on your shots Tony. It just goes to show what a capable photographer can do with a superzoom.
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