[Ryan]

Hello all-
Im very new to the photography side of birding, and birding as a whole to be honest. I wanted to start out with "basic" but quality gear. Im trying to not be the newbie who buys all the best gear and cant even use it (and the wife is a slight restriction to breaking the bank on gear). Anyhow I have a Canon Digital Rebel, I want to know if I were to buy one lens that I could get good use out of, what would it be AND what tripod should I get. Thanks.

[pdackerman]

Hi
I would recomend one of the 28-300mm lenses available. Something like this should cover most situations. Though I would say having image stabilisation is great and would recomend the combination of a 28-135 and 70-300mm IS lenses from Canon.
For a tripod, I would recomend a light and simple one. I have gone for the Velbon. Also if you have/get a scope you will want one that site conftably on your sholder (big consideration is confert).

Phil

Originally Posted by Ryan

Hello all-
Im very new to the photography side of birding, and birding as a whole to be honest. I wanted to start out with "basic" but quality gear. Im trying to not be the newbie who buys all the best gear and cant even use it (and the wife is a slight restriction to breaking the bank on gear). Anyhow I have a Canon Digital Rebel, I want to know if I were to buy one lens that I could get good use out of, what would it be AND what tripod should I get. Thanks.

[yellow_belly]

Hi - I have a Canon 300D (called a Rebel elsewhere I think), apart from the Lens that came with it (18-55mm) I bought the Canon 75-300mm with Image Stabilisation, this is an expensive lens for me but as the lens really works out to be 120-480 I knew I couldnt handhold this at max zoom and would always need a tripod so I thought the extra well worth it.

The only other lens I am thinking of getting is a very cheap 500mm mirror (effectivly 800mm) as it is surprising how near you have to be to get a decent sized image of a small bird, but I will definately need a tripod for that one which will cut down the times I use it (so I dont want to pay much for something I will only use now and then).

HTH

Terry

[pdackerman]

Yep it is the 75-300IS, I have and find it very good. I do find I can hand hold it at full length, you can see examples at web site www.watchingbirds.co.uk .

Originally Posted by yellow_belly

Hi - I have a Canon 300D (called a Rebel elsewhere I think), apart from the Lens that came with it (18-55mm) I bought the Canon 75-300mm with Image Stabilisation, this is an expensive lens for me but as the lens really works out to be 120-480 I knew I couldnt handhold this at max zoom and would always need a tripod so I thought the extra well worth it.

The only other lens I am thinking of getting is a very cheap 500mm mirror (effectivly 800mm) as it is surprising how near you have to be to get a decent sized image of a small bird, but I will definately need a tripod for that one which will cut down the times I use it (so I dont want to pay much for something I will only use now and then).

HTH

Terry

[yellow_belly]

Originally Posted by pdackerman

Yep it is the 75-300IS, I have and find it very good. I do find I can hand hold it at full length

Hi Phil - I can't handhold at max zoom except on a bright day - LOL - I think I must have the DT's :)

Terry

[Ryan]

Thanks for all the good info this is very helpful. Do you think its best for a novice to start out Digiscoping or is this apples and oranges?

[Sven W]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Do you think its best for a novice to start out Digiscoping or is this apples and oranges?

I guess this could depend on if you primarily are interested in the birds themself or in the photography.

If birdwatching was the primary I would buy a scope and chose digiscoping first. On the other hand if photography was most interesting I would put my money on a DSLR.

[Henry B]

Hi ,Yellow-Belly,what type of mirror lense are you thinking of buying? The only one i,ve seen is the cosina 500mm. in jessops catalogue,can you give me any info?Thanks in advance..

[yellow_belly]

Originally Posted by elgin5050.fsnet

Hi ,Yellow-Belly,what type of mirror lense are you thinking of buying? The only one i,ve seen is the cosina 500mm. in jessops catalogue,can you give me any info?Thanks in advance..

Hi Henry - yes that is the one I am thinking of, I think it needs a T2 lens mount for around £10 in addition. I dont want to spend much as I will only use it now and then so I thought I would give it a try probably early March as I have already spent enough on my Visa card this month :)

Terry