[condor]

Does one need a 10 fps for birding ? Or will a 5 fps be sufficient to catch a bird in flight - like with the 3rd pic above by Nilanjan (Pelican) ?

I am asking this if one is going to use the multi-fps feature for such a shot.

____
Friend is looking at a DSLR for birding. Though the D500 is on top of the list, he is wavering a bit towards teh D5500 for the extra 4 MP, and the in-built flash. Lens on shortlist is the 200-500. Or Full Frame ?

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Just do it. Don't fight the feeling. Wish I could do it, instead I am buying lens after lens.

@Samurai, are you still with Olympus? I ditched them long back when they ditched Four Thirds. But i haven't got onto any other brands yet.

-- Torqy

[Turbohead]

Is it possible for the Canon 24-105mm L series lens to retail for 40k? I'm talking about a fresh piece. Is it too good to be true?
Anyway, I bought a second hand one for 21k but this came as a shocker when a fresh piece is retailing online for 74k

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by condor

Does one need a 10 fps for birding ? Or will a 5 fps be sufficient to catch a bird in flight - like with the 3rd pic above by Nilanjan (Pelican) ?

I am asking this if one is going to use the multi-fps feature for such a shot.

____
Friend is looking at a DSLR for birding. Though the D500 is on top of the list, he is wavering a bit towards teh D5500 for the extra 4 MP, and the in-built flash. Lens on shortlist is the 200-500. Or Full Frame ?

No, one can take BIF shots even with 3-5 fps. 10 fps helps in more keepers. User skill is more important than fps.

[condor]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

No, one can take BIF shots even with 3-5 fps. 10 fps helps in more keepers. User skill is more important than fps.

Thanks Nilanjan.

Any inputs reg APSC or FX ? if FX, Which model ?

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by condor

Thanks Nilanjan.

Any inputs reg APSC or FX ? if FX, Which model ?

APSC gives you longer reach, as the sensor is smaller. FX has better high ISO noise.

Birds are generally small and far away, so the longer the focal length the better, and with APSC the multiplication factor of 1.5 (Nikon) or 1.6(Canon) helps.

For landscapes and portraits FX is better. Not only has it lower noise but the same lens will shoot wider compared to APSC.

[condor]

Originally Posted by Aroy

APSC gives you longer reach, as the sensor is smaller.

Thanks, @Aroy. I have forwarded the feedback from you & Nilanjan

The D500 does make more sense for birding. Also has some extra features like AF Micro adjustment, etc.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by condor

Thanks, @Aroy. I have forwarded the feedback from you & Nilanjan

The D500 does make more sense for birding. Also has some extra features like AF Micro adjustment, etc.

Most important, D500 has superior AF. That is something you forgot to ask

[navin_bhp]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

Is it possible for the Canon 24-105mm L series lens to retail for 40k? I'm talking about a fresh piece. Is it too good to be true?
Anyway, I bought a second hand one for 21k but this came as a shocker when a fresh piece is retailing online for 74k

The price should go down as the new version is out. I've seen these new on ebay(grey market) as low as 500$ and in the used market as low as 400$

Originally Posted by condor

Thanks, @Aroy. I have forwarded the feedback from you & Nilanjan

The D500 does make more sense for birding. Also has some extra features like AF Micro adjustment, etc.

For BIF more than FPS the AF performance(Speed and accuracy) of the camera lens combo will make a huge difference. I have not used Nikon gear but if your friend is just getting into DSLR Canon 5d3/7d2 with Sigma 150-600 is a nice combo. If money is no issue then there are better lenses I can recommend. Nothing against Nikon but I feel the focus points are all arranged towards the center vs Canon which is more spread out. Here's couple camera/lens combo I liked

5D3 + 400 f5.6 L (Super fast AF but no IS)
5D3 + 500 f4 IS (Hand holdable but heavy)
1d4 + Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS + 2x III (Reach+versatile+f2.8 when you need it)
I currently own the Sigma 150-600 C version and like the quality of the pics for the price(700$=sweet). Yet to test it out in the field.

And personally I think FF resolves better details especially those colorful feathers of birds.

[gsurya]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

Is it possible for the Canon 24-105mm L series lens to retail for 40k? I'm talking about a fresh piece. Is it too good to be true?
Anyway, I bought a second hand one for 21k but this came as a shocker when a fresh piece is retailing online for 74k

I bought this lens as a white box piece in Mumbai for 35K more than an year ago.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by navin_bhp

For BIF more than FPS the AF performance(Speed and accuracy) of the camera lens combo will make a huge difference. I have not used Nikon gear but if your friend is just getting into DSLR Canon 5d3/7d2 with Sigma 150-600 is a nice combo.

5D3 + 400 f5.6 L (Super fast AF but no IS)
5D3 + 500 f4 IS (Hand holdable but heavy)
1d4 + Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS + 2x III (Reach+versatile+f2.8 when you need it)
I currently own the Sigma 150-600 C version and like the quality of the pics for the price(700$=sweet). Yet to test it out in the field.

And personally I think FF resolves better details especially those colorful feathers of birds.

Not a birder (more of a mammal shooter), and not getting into a Canon vs Nikon argument here (we know who is the current king of the hill lol). But:
1. Birders need max possible reach.
2. APS-C puts more pixels on the subject at the cost of image quality
3. FF image quality is better as long as one is not cropping aggressively (related to point #2)
4. AF points are spread out far more on an APS-C camera than in a FF

These were all shot with a slow f/5.6 lens + 5FPS, 3 year old DX body with 5-6 shot buffer.





Whiskered terns, panned shot










These were shot with a full frame. While one can't get close, the possibilities for capturing interesting surroundings are more. The subjects are very ordinary, but the mist and light make things interesting.

Flying through the mist


Morning flight


When I shoot birds I look more for interesting light situations and backgrounds, even if the subject is commonplace e.g. pelican or lapwing or heron.

[M35]

Just picked up one 85mm f/1.4 [Rokinon] prime. If you have the skill to nail the focus at f1.4, the images are simply dreamy with beautiful colours and bokeh. Got this mainly for those moments with my little baby girl, but quite fun on other purposes as well.

I have a Nikon D810 which is second to none for Landscapes and Portraits, provided you have decent glasses to go with it. No slouch for the BIF as well !

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by M35

Just picked up one 85mm f/1.4 [Rokinon] prime. If you have the skill to nail the focus at f1.4, the images are simply dreamy with beautiful colours and bokeh

Congratulations. I rent the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 once in a while, any 85mm f/1.4 lens is special when paired with a D8x0 or D750.

I have a very uncooperative subject, so nailing focus at f/1.4 requires effort. What works for me, when my daughter is constantly moving: D1 + AF-C + burst mode + 3 or 4 setting for lock on + focus and release.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Congratulations. I rent the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 once in a while, any 85mm f/1.4 lens is special when paired with a D8x0 or D750.
I have a very uncooperative subject, so nailing focus at f/1.4 requires effort. What works for me, when my daughter is constantly moving: D1 + AF-C + burst mode + 3 or 4 setting for lock on + focus and release.

I don’t have the luxury of AF with my 85/1.4. But it is an AE version with a chip. The AF confirmation dot is pretty accurate and I am getting her eye tack sharp at f/1.4 almost 70% now and it is a lot more fun than the full AF.

I had a Nikon 50/1.8D which I gave away to a gentleman who came in to pick my Nikon 24-120 F4. That 1.8D was annoyingly noisy even on my D810.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by M35

That 1.8D was annoyingly noisy even on my D810.

How come? f/1.8 is f/1.8

I don't see much difference between the D version that I had earlier, and that conked off, and the G version I have now.