Shorebirder

After playing with both the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS and the Canon 400mm f5.6, I've decided to go with the fixed 400. It was not an easy decision. Both lenses are very nice and in the same price range. They each have their pros and cons, which are well-discussed on internet forums. Here are some of the major points: Pro zoom: - versatility from 100mm to 400mm - Image Stabilization - close focus to 6 feet (versus 11.5 feet of the prime) - better low-light performance thanks to the IS Pro fixed: - lighter and less bulky - sharper at 400mm (though some on internet forums dispute this...my field tests showed the prime sharper, as expected) - great image quality when shot "wide open" at f5.6 - fast autofocus (key for birds in flight) - better built-in hood - fewer moving parts, so fewer issues with dust, moisture, and breakdown - better performance with a teleconverter than the zoom Defenders of both lenses make convincing arguments: Zoo...

Well, I finally took the plunge. I've just recently purchased a lightly used Canon 7D. Lots can be found on the internet about the 7D's specs, particularly in regard to bird photography. A while back I had decided on a Canon DSLR system, but it took me a while to decide which body to purchase. I narrowed things down to a used 40D, a new 60D, or a used 7D. I had ruled out a used 50D because reviews from birders seem to find little upgrade from 40D, and they are going for $200+ more than used 40Ds. I also ruled out a new 7D because, with the camera already being over 18 months old, it will be due for a successor sometime in the next 18 months. I thought the 'lightly used' option would be the way to go if I wanted to upgrade to the eventual successor, because I won't end up losing as much in depreciation over a short period of time. The more I read about the 7D and spoke to other birders about it, the more I wanted it. Its reportedly very good high ISO perform...

I spent this weekend dog/house-sitting at my parents' place in Orange. My mother got a Nikon D5000 with VR 55-200mm zoom lens for Christmas, which I decided to test out briefly on Saturday morning. Having never shot with an SLR, I was curious to see what the "experience" was like - i.e. how cumbersome it was to carry, if/how it affected my actual birding, and what is a 200mm zoom capable of? Long story short, even after spending just an hour with it, I'm convinced that I need something more than my current digiscoping setup. I was in denial for a while there, but now I know. Red-breasted Nuthatch Dark-eyed Junco in flight Turkey Vulture from a considerable distance I could do without one more thing to carry on me while birding, but the ability to photograph fast-moving passerines or birds in flight was a lot of fun. I am become more and more disenchanted with 'digibinning,' which is really starting to frustrate me. I'm not ready ...

Recent frustrating attempts at digibinning have got me seriously considering a digital SLR for the first time. Having never shopped for one, I'm asking for advice from birders. Since I digiscope when possible (so easy to carry a tiny P&S), I'd be looking to use an SLR for fast-moving subjects and flight shots. I'd be willing to spend good money if necessary...I know you get what you pay for. I'm wondering what would be better for me...a top-of-the-line setup regardless of size/weight, or a lightweight one. Is there a best of both worlds? New vs used? What camera/lens combos would you recommend? - NB

Yesterday I received Canon's Conversion Lens Adapter for my A590IS. I planned on lengthening the tube with some homemade supplies, to make a hands-free tube adapter, as recommended by local Kowa digiscoper Don Morgan. While I still plan on doing this, I noticed that when I fasten the adapter to the camera, I can hand-hold the camera+adapter firmly against the scope's rubber eyecup, which happens to place the camera lens at just the right distance from the eyepiece for digiscoping! I headed out to Sandy Pt this afternoon in hopes of testing this out in the field. Sure enough, I was able to produce a vignette-free image without having to max out the camera's zoom. This is still a form of hand-holding, so getting crystal-clear photos will be a challenge, if not impossible, due to the shake produced by holding the camera in your hands and pressing the shutter-release. The following photos are unaltered (uncropped, unsharpened) except for being compressed, and show that d...

Back in December I posted that the Canon A590IS digital camera was being sold on Amazon for the low price of $111. Well just a few minutes ago I was curious to see it's current price online since it was discontinued...now Amazon is selling it for a whopping $240! Yikes. Cross that model off the wish-list, digiscopers! I'm wondering if any of you have found a new useful digiscoping camera lately. I'm especially interested in models that are small enough to "digibin" with. If you know of any, let me know! Not that I'm shopping for one, but it's always nice to have a finger on the pulse of the market in case my current camera dies. - Nick

For those of you looking for a cheap digital camera, whether for digiscoping or just for fun, the model I use has recently dropped in price. The Canon A590IS is now selling on Amazon.com for just $111. That's pretty darn cheap. I thought I was getting a deal when I got mine in March for $150. If anyone is going to purchase a camera for digiscoping, I highly recommend bringing your scope to a camera shop so you can see if the camera "fits" your scope well or not. One of my resolutions for 2009 will be to better learn how to successfully digiscope. Lately I've been having some exposure and/or white balance problems while digiscoping bright white birds such as Snowy Owls and adult gulls. I think it's more of a problem with my usage than with the camera itself, but the Auto mode just doesn't get the job done sometimes. Nick