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Nikon P950 for long range ID (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jlw0017
- Start date
You might want to check this recent thread concerning the Nikon 900/950/1000 and their use for spotting.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jw the EVF is pretty bright if set at level 3
Not the 950 I know, but the 900 has the same 83X zoom.
These are from the 900 at 300mtrs https://www.flickr.com/photos/157749533@N08/47065736671/
and the Owl at 90 mtrs
https://flic.kr/p/2dywfuU
Den
Not the 950 I know, but the 900 has the same 83X zoom.
These are from the 900 at 300mtrs https://www.flickr.com/photos/157749533@N08/47065736671/
and the Owl at 90 mtrs
https://flic.kr/p/2dywfuU
Den
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I use my Canon SX60 sometimes for long distance ID Jayne. And the Nikon has a superior zoom so I’d say it would be pretty good.
Rich
Rich
As I think have been stated in the linked thread, if you cannot see it before taking a photo, take one and zoom in on the bird in the EVF or on the display on the back. This method gave me my lifer hook-billed kite - the guys trying to get a scope set up came too late, the bird had flown.
Niels
Niels
From my experience with sx60, focus simply isn't fast enough for fast moving passerines or birds in flight. Fine for things like waders at a distance though. I've reluctantly switched to an slr for this reason. For these smaller species I've found that a photo record is essential: but perhaps your memory is better than mine... Focusing a hand held 50mm telescope is generally quicker than sx60 for fast movers, but then in comes the problem of false memories/visual impressions. Don't we (all) just wish someone would produce a superzoom which is really up to the job in these circs? Doesn't exist AFAIK...
I got the P900 when I was in Australia last year.
I'd only had the camera for days when I took the first picture of the Cockatiels, first is the uncropped version.
A few weeks later I got the eagle, which I had to jump out of the car to get.
I take my pictures on the pre-set Birdwatching mode with multishot.
Thought I'd show you both uncropped and cropped versions for comparison. Many times I used it to zoom in on a distant bird to try and get the ID. I didn't have a telescope with me. And now, back home, I rarely do use the 'scope. Though that will probably change when they re-open the hides up here.
I'd only had the camera for days when I took the first picture of the Cockatiels, first is the uncropped version.
A few weeks later I got the eagle, which I had to jump out of the car to get.
I take my pictures on the pre-set Birdwatching mode with multishot.
Thought I'd show you both uncropped and cropped versions for comparison. Many times I used it to zoom in on a distant bird to try and get the ID. I didn't have a telescope with me. And now, back home, I rarely do use the 'scope. Though that will probably change when they re-open the hides up here.
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Hamhed
Well-known member
A "little" late to this thread but I have a question, a experience I share with Niels and a comment for Jayne.
On the last birding trip my wife and I were able to go on, we traveled to Texas in March of this year for some of the specialties of the region. I had my Canon SX50, working but slowly breaking down. On the observation tower at Santa Ana refuge, we managed to locate a perched Hook-billed Kite. At a considerable distance and in the gloom of early morning, our 8X binoculars were not up to the task of an actual identification so I mounted the camera on a tripod, maxed out the zoom, setting up a 2 second delayed shutter and got the attached photo. American Birding Magazine will not likely contact me to publish this (though I continue to be hopeful!) but we got the bird we had been staking out for three two hour sessions.
So, yes, Jayne, one can use the super zoom function of any of these cameras to get the identification. This photo is a zoomed-in version as Niels mentioned but otherwise untouched by any post processing.
On to my question, I am planning to replace my Canon with the Nikon P950. Tristate Camera has a price that is well below most competitors. This makes me cautious so I hope to hear from anyone who has had experience with them. Thanks in advance for any help on the subject.
Steve
On the last birding trip my wife and I were able to go on, we traveled to Texas in March of this year for some of the specialties of the region. I had my Canon SX50, working but slowly breaking down. On the observation tower at Santa Ana refuge, we managed to locate a perched Hook-billed Kite. At a considerable distance and in the gloom of early morning, our 8X binoculars were not up to the task of an actual identification so I mounted the camera on a tripod, maxed out the zoom, setting up a 2 second delayed shutter and got the attached photo. American Birding Magazine will not likely contact me to publish this (though I continue to be hopeful!) but we got the bird we had been staking out for three two hour sessions.
So, yes, Jayne, one can use the super zoom function of any of these cameras to get the identification. This photo is a zoomed-in version as Niels mentioned but otherwise untouched by any post processing.
On to my question, I am planning to replace my Canon with the Nikon P950. Tristate Camera has a price that is well below most competitors. This makes me cautious so I hope to hear from anyone who has had experience with them. Thanks in advance for any help on the subject.
Steve
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I can only speak for the UK but extra cheap prices means grey import over here, ie not through the official importer.
From what i understand Nikon in the USA will not repair these even if you paid
A thread on DPReview about them: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4357695
they also seem to be registered with Amazon as sellers: https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A2T9QPWIRRDXZ5
Niels
they also seem to be registered with Amazon as sellers: https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A2T9QPWIRRDXZ5
Niels
