Camera which one ?????

**4dbennett** · 02-12-2008

Hi guys i would like your opinions on which camera to buy for photographing birds, and any lenses required.

thanks in anticipation

dave

**rolf** · 02-12-2008

Hi Dave, unfortunately you will probably get several opposing answers to this question, as everyone will big up their own camera or make of camera and many are brand snobs, in that they are blind to makes other than their own.

I love my Olympus E-520 with image stabilisation and live preview and still have one of my E-500s since upgrading the main camera a couple of months ago.

The problem with Digital SLRs is the price of the lenses, my Sigma 50-500 is around £750, but certainly pulls in the distance shots (it's the one in our avatar), my Olympus 70-300 is much cheaper at £240, but is probably a little short on reach, although Beryl sometimes only uses a 200mm and gets some good results from it.

I lent my E-500 and standard lens to my sister a couple of months back and on the strength of that, she decided to buy the E-520, she seems to be very pleased with it.

**digidark** · 03-12-2008

Hiya Dave, As Rolf says we all have our favs.I have a Canon 300D.Its a bit long in the tooth but still does a good job with its various lenses. I have however a preference for the Panasonic Lumix FZ50. This is a "Bridge" camera and has a 35mm to 420mm lens (35mm equiv.) plus optical image stablisation. Which all means that I dont have to carry a bag full of gear when I go out and about.

When push comes to shove, it all depends how much you want to spend

**Chocky** · 03-12-2008

Yep. I have a Nikon D80
I often use a 70- 200mm telephoto lens for action shots . But for real distance I use a sigma 70-300 mm DG macro which switches between macro and normal which also gives really good Macro close ups form 3 feet away much better with a tripod a Rolf suggests and not too good for action due to the weight causing motion blur

**4dbennett** · 08-12-2008

Thanks guys i think i,ll plump for the E520 i,ve been looking at this one,

xmas pressie off the wife, although she refuses to include a 5/500 lense, can,t see why??

thanks for your advice

regards dave

**rolf** · 08-12-2008

I'm pretty sure you'll be delighted with it Dave.

**Sydney2** · 09-12-2009

Sony makes the sensors for nikon & cannon and more. so quality is constant.
The only thing I can not live without is auto sensor cleaning, I have cleaned previous cameras but never needed to clean my A700.
Live view is important if you manual focus.
Super steady shot will never compensate for a tripod, but is useful.
Make a good choice because once you have spent load of cash on lenses it becomes expensive to change.
I owned Nikon for over 10 years then changed to Sony, The disapointment with Sony is availibility of converters, only for full frame, but in the pipe line for my camera.
Having said all that I love my Sony A700 @ less than £600 just look at my pics.
Best regards to you all Alan

**mdb2** · 12-12-2009

HI I am new to photography and birding, I purchased the canon 50d and its great. Still learning what the functions are. regards mike

**digidark** · 14-12-2009

One comment I should like to add is that, although different people have different ideas as too which is the best camera to use. Many thing are put forward as benefits but when the bell finally tolls its what is a few millimeters behind the viewfinder /screen that really matters.

**Chocky** · 14-12-2009

I have an DG Sigma APO Macro 70-300mmLens on my Nikon D80. The APO stops the purple and green tinging and doesn't need a filter

***ladylouise62*** · 17-12-2009

I'll certainly agree with Digidark there (Hello !!!). I spend a lot of time on Flickr and one of my friends there has the same camera as me....... but you wouldn't think so - she is so much better at the whole thing (I hate her

)

**Chris H** · 17-12-2009

I'm now using a Canon 5D2 and 100-400L

Next week I'm apparently getting a straight jacket and padded cell for what I spent

**joe** · 17-12-2009

Hi, I'm still using a D300 but just got a Sigma 300 mm f2.8 + 2x converter. Will post some pics soon
Joe

***ladylouise62*** · 19-12-2009

LOL, Chris - it's easy to get carried away, isn't it

**Sydney2** · 19-12-2009

Originally Posted by joe

Hi, I'm still using a D300 but just got a Sigma 300 mm f2.8 + 2x converter. Will post some pics soon
Joe

I can't wait to see your' pics Joe, I'm toying with the converter idea, Some pictures taken with a converter are dark and poor quality, I think people use cheap ones, Sony converters are nearly £400, but without live view it would be tricky.
Alan

**Chris H** · 21-12-2009

If you want a teleconvertor then I'd suggest looking at Kenko ones.

Remember a 1.4x teleconvertor will stop your lens down 1 stop, a 2x 1.5 to 2 stops.

That means on a 1.4 your f2.8 will now me more like f3.5

There's no point using a cheap teleconvertor on a good lens, you might as well buy a longer focus cheap lens.

A good place to look at if your buying is onestop digital in HK, their prices for Kenko teleconvertors was really cheap, and they refund any import costs you may get stung for.

Luise my spending went

Canon 40D - Canon 10-22 - canon 24-105L - Canon 100-400L - Sold the 10-22 - Canon 5d2 - Canon 17-40L

Apparently my straight jacket is coming in a nice shade of blue