I have a Nikon D5100 and use a 55-300 lens for bird photos. I know this is not really good enough as all the little darlings are usually too far away. I am new to photography as well as birding (couple of years with this my first SLR). I am going to put on here some photos - some I'm pleased with others disappointed. It could well be that I am not any good, or that I am trying to achieve the impossible with my equipment. I know I don't know my camera well and am trying to get to grips with the manual and also just to experiment with different settings. I never use auto; usually aperture priority but recently tried manual to get faster shutter speed and then adjust the focal length for exposure. I saw seymouraves post about his lumix. I rang Wex photography in Norwich who said don't bother with anything like a bridge camera (sorry if the camera you were referring to is NOT a bridge … ) as I will lose quality. What does anyone else here think? I’ve also read whistling Joe’s posts on photography, really helpful. I realise I don’t understand depth of field properly, only a vague idea really. I can neither afford nor carry large lenses as when I go out there’s only me to carry it all and I have to carry my flask and sarnies as well – can’t sacrifice lunch! I am happy to spend £500 on another camera if I will get good quality bird/wildlife images and then use my DSLR more for landscapes. I was looking at the Canon Coolpix P900; SX60; Nikon P610. My camera really doesn't like ISO over 640 and that's pushing it. The 3 avocet were moving and so was I (in a boat), the stone curlews were a long way away ... the shorteared owl was some distance away - the flight one took me by surprise; I think I just messed up on the blacktailed godwit.Thanks so much if anyone has any comments to help me improve or to adjust my expectations ….
Oh, and I won't post the other 5000 shots ...
Jill
Hi, I shall be at Bempton then!!! I'm off on a trip: 1) Grasmere 2) Isle of Mull 3) Keilder National Park (dark skies) 4) Farnes 5) Bempton - whew. Lots of camera practise. Thanks for info - another time!
I'm running a similar set up to yours but in the Canon range - 700D + a 70-300mm L series lens (the heavier metal one). Personally I find that about the heaviest I want to carry all day, although to be fair we do most of our birding when hiking, so weight matters. As Whistling Joe points out, 1/500th should be fine, although I tend to go for a slightly higher speed with ISO set to auto. I also use a UV filter (a Hoya) although this is as much to protect the lens as anything else. It's much cheaper to replace a filter than the front element of a lens (shudders at the thought)!
Naturally I'd like more distance than I get, but it's all a compromise between reach and portability for me.
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Thanks again WJ, I was thinking about a monopod I'll investigate.
Thanks Stuart, like you I certainly don't want anything heavier. I'll investigate a bridge, I wonder if any shops allow trials? I can't use auto ISO unless on auto settings as far as I can make out, it would be useful. You are right, I have to reach a compromise.
The inability to use Auto-ISO unless on full Auto seems very strange, but I don't really know the Nikon menus and controls so can't comment. I did pull up the D5100 userguide on the Nikon site and must admit it seemed to suggest you're right - tho wasn't written quite as clearly as it could be!
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Find me on Flickr / All about your camera - The Getting off Auto Index
Yes, WJ, I agree. I read the manual again to check and that's how it seems to read ... I'll try to play with the camera alongside the manual. Jill
Makes three of us - I thought it strange and looked at the userguide and came to the same conclusion. Seems like a strange omission!
Thanks to all, I now have a headache trying to sort out ISO!hey Ho :-)
Have you seen this?
www.rspb.org.uk/.../105927.aspx
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Thanks, yes I have read this before but have now looked more closely. Seems it has better reviews than the later version. I'll have to find a shop that sells them. Thanks so much, I hope to have a bit of time tomorrow to look further. Jill