Next Level Gear For Bird Photography

Hi-

I was interested in upgrading my camera and lens from what I currently have. I have been a rank amateur bird photographer (hobbyist) for about a year, and I have enjoyed it enough to want to upgrade my equipment a bit. Generally, I am willing to spend about $4,000 and want to be cautious of buying equipment beyond my abilities. I prefer handheld as well as the flexibility of a zoom (at least so far).

Having researched the issue and tried out a few cameras/lenses, here is what I am thinking:

Current Body: Canon Rebel T5
Current Lens: 55-250mm f/4-5.6

Contemplated Camera Upgrade: Canon 7D Mark II
Contemplated Lens Upgrade: Canon 100-400 IS II f4.5-5.6

I would appreciate any thoughts you may have given my contemplated budget and very amateur skill level.

Best,
Matt

If you do not need large megapixels for big prints or other purposes, some of the point a and shoot zooms and super zooms offer great features at low costs. And they are relatively light in weight and can be used hand held with or without a monopod.

Here are just a few to look at:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V, 20MP, 24-1200mm
Nikon Coolpix P530, 16 MP, 24-1000mm
Nikon Coolpix P610, 16MP, 24-1440mm
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300, 12MP, 25-600mm
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000, 20MP, 24-500mm
Nikon Coolpix P900, 16MP, 24-2000mm

If you want to stick with a DSLR like what you have been using, and you are willing to accept the tradeoffs with using a zoom tele, connsider one of the newer 150-600mm teles made by Tamron or Sigma. The Sport model for Sigma's 150-600mm gets better reviews than the other Sigma version of the same lens.

I shoot with Nikon so I am not in a position to comment on Canon equipment.

Joe Smith

couple of points stand out.  

being relatively unencumbered by a heavy exposure to the current brand you use:  (i.e  you don't have thousands of $ committed, a complete and objective analysis of what is best suited to you may not be as painful as to those that have $20,000 etc wrapped up in a brand), it'll be relatively easy to find an option you want without mega pain.

At the moment you are looking from a brand loyalty issue, which if you are happy with that, is perfect.   but for what you want to budget, there are other options.

Couple of points that are important being the system options, and sensor technology.  

The information you seek is already here via various discussions, but I'd seriously look at the Sigma 150-600 OS S version attached to something like the D7200 for birds.  

EJ did a review on that lens.  Says it all.  I've used it and posted on the same post, page 3, and can vouch for it's optical qualities after proper calibration.   Using it on a D800 it knocks the socks off files  I produced using a Canon 1DsII and 500 IS F4, but you have to take into account changes in sensor technology.

Regarding the zooms mentioned, the Tamron is reputed to be soft at the long end and I cannot vouch for the cheaper Contemporary version of the Sigma.  But I can vouch for the OS S version!.   
taken with a D800, bean bag and auto ISO at 5000.  1/500 F8

Matt, I think the 7D2 with 100-400 II would be a great upgrade for you. You can do so much with that combo including adding a 1.4 teleconveter when needed.

Since you've been using a dlsr I don't think you'd be happy with superzoom results. I've seen some excellent shots with them but most of them have been in very close range (<25 feet). The Sigma and Tamron zooms are options but I hear reports of most people shooting them at f8 because they are not sharp enough wide open at 6.3. As people have said, the sport version maybe a bit sharper however it is also much heavier at 6.3 pounds.

I may times use a 2 camera setup. A 1DX with 600 f4 and teleconverters plus the 7D2 with 100-400 II. The 7D2 with 100-400 can do a fine job.

If you do decide to but these do not pay full retail. Best option is probably Camera Canada. With the exchange rate you save 30% which at their current prices makes it about $3K US. They will give you a paypal invoice in US dollars so you don't have to worry about CC exchange conversion fees too. Another option is to go through Greentoe.com where you can place bids and certified Canon resellers will be the ones to accept is your bid is accepted.

Best
Doug

I see a lot of birders with the Canon 100-400mm lens, it seems to be a great combination of size and reach. I shoot Nikon and the recently announced 200-500mm zoom lens has me interested since I can't find a 300mm PF in stock anywhere. With my current 200-400mm I'm generally at the long end and wishing for a little more, plus it is pretty heavy and unwieldy for my kayak. A D7200 and the 200-500mm lens would fit your budget as well.

One of my friends has the Nikon CoolPix P900 and it works okay for stationary birds. She said the AF doesn't stand a chance for in-flight shots. Also it does not have the option of creating RAW image files or a manual zoom ring.

Think about weight. Maybe rent the big zoom to see if you are comfortable with it (to heavy for me). I am holding out for the Nikon 300 PF w/ TC 1.4. when they are back in stock.
The months long unavailability is baffling.

If you are not stuck on Canon, I would go for the Nikon D7200 and Sigma 150-600. If you are stuck on Canon, then get the 7DII and the Sigma 150-600.

tcots55 wrote:I would appreciate any thoughts you may have given my contemplated budget and very amateur skill level.

Don't look at that D800 reference photo. It's misleading because it's not gonna be what you'd get

Your choice of the canon body and lens are fine for your purposes.

If you want to handhold I'd caution against the new Sigma 150-600. It's really heavy. I own it and it's a great lens as others have said but it's not something I want to handhold for anything but brief periods of time.

I think the 7D II and 100-400 is a great option for you.

Well then if weight is a major consideration, then the D7200 and Nikon 80-400 VR would probably be the lightest choice with excellent IQ.

DOglesby wrote:If you want to handhold I'd caution against the new Sigma 150-600. It's really heavy. I own it and it's a great lens as others have said but it's not something I want to handhold for anything but brief periods of time.

I think the 7D II and 100-400 is a great option for you.

But on a crop body, the 150-600 Contemporary will perform pretty well and it's a lot lighter.

E.J. Peiker wrote:

DOglesby wrote:If you want to handhold I'd caution against the new Sigma 150-600. It's really heavy. I own it and it's a great lens as others have said but it's not something I want to handhold for anything but brief periods of time.

I think the 7D II and 100-400 is a great option for you.

But on a crop body, the 150-600 Contemporary will perform pretty well and it's a lot lighter.

EDIT: Just noticed you said contemporary - that's much lighter. 


  

Great, thank you all so much for taking the time to provide really thoughtful advice. I appreciate it and have lots more to think about (the more you learn, the less you realize you know).

Best,

Matt

This is a contradiction to what you specified, but the biggest improvement I have had was when I stopped shooting handheld. More than any of the equipment I have used, the tripod helped the most. Beyond that, a good lens will go further than a high end camera body.

photoman4343 wrote:If you do not need large megapixels for big prints or other purposes, some of the point a and shoot zooms and super zooms offer great features at low costs. And they are relatively light in weight and can be used hand held with or without a monopod.

Here are just a few to look at:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V, 20MP, 24-1200mm
Nikon Coolpix P530, 16 MP, 24-1000mm
Nikon Coolpix P610, 16MP, 24-1440mm
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300, 12MP, 25-600mm
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000, 20MP, 24-500mm
Nikon Coolpix P900, 16MP, 24-2000mm

If you want to stick with a DSLR like what you have been using, and you are willing to accept the tradeoffs with using a zoom tele, connsider one of the newer 150-600mm teles made by Tamron or Sigma. The Sport model for Sigma's 150-600mm gets better reviews than the other Sigma version of the same lens.

I shoot with Nikon so I am not in a position to comment on Canon equipment.

Joe Smith

For what it's worth, I had a Panasonic FZ1000-tried it with birds. Great up close and not moving much, otherwise, a no go. Sent it back.  I don't think any of these cameras would be an upgrade for bird photography.  I also have a Panasonic GH3 (micro 4/3)  with a 100-300 lens (200-600 equivalent).  It is OK, but difficult to see birds in the viewfinder. (Was trying to go lighter without much success- M43 just isn't there yet for birds).  

Another great lens to consider to go with a 7D II is the old sharpie- Canon 400 5.6. Not IS though. But fast, light and sharp, and probably cheaper than 100-400.  That said, if you can handle the weight (not extremely heavy by most standards),  I would go for the 7DII and 100-400 II.

Cynthia Crawford wrote: I also have a Panasonic GH3 (micro 4/3)  with a 100-300 lens (200-600 equivalent).  It is OK, but difficult to see birds in the viewfinder. (Was trying to go lighter without much success- M43 just isn't there yet for birds).  

You have a what? Oh, a Panasonic GH3 of 2012. OK

tcots55 wrote:Hi-

I was interested in upgrading my camera and lens from what I currently have. I have been a rank amateur bird photographer (hobbyist) for about a year, and I have enjoyed it enough to want to upgrade my equipment a bit. Generally, I am willing to spend about $4,000 and want to be cautious of buying equipment beyond my abilities. I prefer handheld as well as the flexibility of a zoom (at least so far).

Having researched the issue and tried out a few cameras/lenses, here is what I am thinking:

Current Body: Canon Rebel T5
Current Lens: 55-250mm f/4-5.6

Contemplated Camera Upgrade: Canon 7D Mark II
Contemplated Lens Upgrade: Canon 100-400 IS II f4.5-5.6

I would appreciate any thoughts you may have given my contemplated budget and very amateur skill level.

Best,
Matt

Matt, if you are into Birding, that is the one of the best outfits you can buy for a crop sensor camera and meet the budget you are looking at.

I have a 7DII and love it. Fair warning though, there are 2 caveats,

 1. This sensor is best when exposed properly or a smidge over - if you under expose, your results will be soft and muddy. Always go for a higher iso when in doubt... a well exposed picture at 6400 will beat an underexposed 3200iso picture for noise and detail. 

2. There will be a learning curve. there are a TON of new things you will need to learn about this camera to get the best out of it... it just is the way it is. watch all the videos canon has online about the camera (and particularly the AF) and then watch them again. It takes a while to sink in and 'get'.  Don't give up, read everything you can if you aren't getting the results you want. Lots of good info on several other forums, and birdsasart.com

Thanks again for all this great advice!

Matt