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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JGobeil" data-source="post: 1244994" data-attributes="member: 24649">Bernie,You are most welcomed to the "Club". Yes indeed, for birding lenses are never long enough unfortunately.  I started with 300mm, moved to 400, added a 1.4X teleconverter and that still was too short.  I figure my maximum range is about 20 m.   Just like you, no budget for the Canon long guns unfortunately.I then decided to try digiscoping - spotting scope and P&S.  A long horror story of bad pictures and frustration.  And now it is Prime Focus Digiscoping and my first decent long range pictures - at last.Taking decent bird pictures at close range is quite easy with any method - camera lens, P&S digiscoping, bridge camera, etc.  At long range it is a different story.  Of course it depends what your standards are...  o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />From my research on the Net, it seems that the way to go is with a DSLR coupled to an astro APO ED REFRACTOR scope, APO ED REFRACTOR being the important words.  The following manufacturers make decent products with these caracteristics: Tele Vue, Williams Optics, Syntra (it makes cells for Skywatcher, Celestron, Orion and others), Stellarvue and Astro-Tech.  You can get a new 600mm f/7 for 500-1500$, or a used one on eBAY if you are patient.RegardsJules</blockquote>

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