Photographing Birds

Mark

I read your article and it left me with the impression that unless I am going to spend $10,000 on a lens, me and my only 12mp camera (d700) should not bother with birds. Is that the impression you intended to leave me with?

Phil

Whether or not the 200-400 is the right lens for small birds is debatable - but you state yourself that a 600 would serve the purpose better. Certainly the wrong camera for the job though. You would have gotten a slightly better image with the D300 and the 200-400 alone and certainly a better one with the 1.4x attached. - strictly going by how many pixels would be on the bird.

Thanks Phil,

Actually, no, I mentioned that the alternatives were to get a Blind or hide out need a feeder. These are common for those with a passion to photograph birds. I also mentioned that there were alternatives to the ten thousand dollar Nikon solution. The focus was not on the alternatives, but on the lens solution, and the common mistake of underestimating the focal length that is needed.

I also don't expect everyone to relate to my experience, so if you don't, no problem. :^}

How about a D300 with a 70-200 vr and a Nikon 1.7 teleconverter. Doesn't that equate to 390mm on FX?

If you hide out in a blind near a feeder, then 200mm is OK. If you are shooting semi-tame large shorebirds, 200mm is OK. But if I was trying to capture truely wild birds without the aid of a blind then give me the longest lens available.

What if I were to bolt my AcraTech ballhead onto a solid perch I know birds habitually use, attach my D300/17-55mm lens, and fire it using one of my nifty CyberSync triggers from 150 yards away? I wouldn't need an expensive lens, and I'd still get the shot maybe? There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Kent in SD

So if one is using a more (less costly) regular Nikon DSLR body, i.e., a D40x, one can't get a decent bird photo?

Regardless of what body-lens combination you use, a bit of luck and a measure of decent lighting are factors that get your image of a bird (or just about anything.)

I hesitate to write out what I think of your article. My mother would not be pleased with me.
First up - if you wish to photograph birds. Start with a crop factor camera. So at present the top choice would be the D300/D300s
Second - minimum focal length is really 500mm - but the longer the better. However, most can't afford the 600VR & fact is that people who shoot both Nikon & Canon always complain about how poorly the Nikon lenses hold up with a TC on it. (we can argue this till the end of time, but I have far too many friends who shoot both systems with that opinion - with the top lenses at that)
Thirdly - the amazing 200-400VR is really not long enough. It has to be paired with a TC. Problem is - ask on most boards.... The 200-400VR seems not too happy with a TC. Now add that the 1.4 is really the only one where you will not have too much quality loss in your shots. (So how is it Canon shooters can stack their TCs I wonder.... & they have a great 2x TC as well)
Fourthly - blind..... yes blinds can work. If you're in such a location. Reality is this - As much as I would have liked the 200-400VR I soon realized that with my locations, there's no way I could shoot with that lens without a permanently attached TC. Nor can I really use a blind. And lets not forget that a blind requires often showing up & setting up long before the birds do. The there you sit & wait.
No - if on a budget. Start with the D300 or D300s. Now add the 300 AF-S f/4 & a 1.4 TC - - that's doable to start with.
I have a friend I call "the Master of the 70-300VR" & what he shoots with that little lens is amazing. He does Nikon proud.
So - whatever your budget..... You can not ever have enough reach. So - start with a crop camera body. Buy the best you can afford. And get a 300mm minimum lens to start with a TC. If you can afford - go for a 500mm f/4 because that's really minimum if you want to get those little birds.
I would much rather buy a crop camera like the D300/D300s over the D3x for $ 8,000 as I will not have to crop remotely as much with a D300/D300s (or any of the other crop Nikon bodies) as I will with the D3x.
As for the D700 as a birding camera - - oh it's great - when the subject is close enough. Not to mention that you can get those real early morning & late afternoon/early evening shots due to high ISO out of the D700.
Enough said or rather written as I lovingly think of my wonderful husband who bought me the 300-800mm Sigmonster. Oh and I almost forgot to write - you're entitled to your opinion. But I humbly disagree.... :-)

70-300 VR may work for big birds. For small, distant birds, wouldn't a Nikon Fieldscope be a better idea?