Couple of silly newbie questions...
Discussion
Right,thinking of getting my first DSLR camera with the main aim of wildlife photography,particularly birds.Now i know that this is a very,very naive basic view of cameras but the 'main' two things that seem to gradually make cameras more expensive are pixel amounts and zoom capability?I did say 'naive' but that seems to be the main jist i get from looking around,so,a bit of a basic vague question.
Say you're walking along your average width river and across the other bank there's say a kingfisher,what power of zoom lense would you need to get a good close up head shot?A good Zoom capability seems to be the main thing i think i need and obviously a 'bit' of quality in the body behind it!:-)When you see say an 18-55mm lense mentioned just how close does that bring something to you?If it's not strong enough to zoom up close to something across a river what sort of lense should i be looking for?Maybe a 'decent' body and a cracking lense if anyone can suggest such a pairing for me,budget around £4-500?(even second hand)
In one short walk the other day i saw a buzzard,a deer,a crane,a cracking little wren popped itself in full view right in front of me on a thin plant stalk!then i saw a Kingfisher that had nested there for years,it just seemed they were all sitting there posing for me lol.Any help appreciated,thanks!
Say you're walking along your average width river and across the other bank there's say a kingfisher,what power of zoom lense would you need to get a good close up head shot?A good Zoom capability seems to be the main thing i think i need and obviously a 'bit' of quality in the body behind it!:-)When you see say an 18-55mm lense mentioned just how close does that bring something to you?If it's not strong enough to zoom up close to something across a river what sort of lense should i be looking for?Maybe a 'decent' body and a cracking lense if anyone can suggest such a pairing for me,budget around £4-500?(even second hand)
In one short walk the other day i saw a buzzard,a deer,a crane,a cracking little wren popped itself in full view right in front of me on a thin plant stalk!then i saw a Kingfisher that had nested there for years,it just seemed they were all sitting there posing for me lol.Any help appreciated,thanks!
This might be worth a read for you, probably not what you want to hear though ....
http://www.ophrysphotography.co.uk/pages/photograp...
http://www.ophrysphotography.co.uk/pages/photograp...
rumpelstiltskin said:
Say you're walking along your average width river and across the other bank there's say a kingfisher,what power of zoom lense would you need to get a good close up head shot?
A telescope. Even if you could get a lens that long, you'd never hand hold it due to the magnification.I reckon the longest decent lens in your budget would be a 70-300mm - and crop the image from there.
If you just want a bonkers zoom then actually a 'bridge' camera might be an option for you.
18-55 will get you nowhere with wildlife photography. It's a very average general use lens. Got a bit of zoom but really no good for wildlife at all.
Minimum 200mm for wildlife imo. But really you will need a second lens for general use anyway. The kit 18-55 may do the job perfectly for you.
If you're considering Nikon, something like the 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens will be a nice starter.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon-55-300mm-f-4-5...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/?_pid=99957704&_trks...
They do have a long range so will be quite a compromise as far as quality of concerned, but for the money, they will be a good lens. The 55-300mm does have VR though, hence the price difference. This is Nikons image stabilisation and I would highly recommend it for long zoom lengths. Easily worth the extra £100 over the 70-300mm.
Paired with the kit 18-55, you pretty much cover all bases, although I would recomend the 18-70mm as a general use lens as it's far nicer lens than the 18-55.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-AF-S-18-70mm-ED-f-...
As a general starter kit, that would be very nice for what you plan on using it for, plus your not throwing loads and loads of money at it to find you dont enjoy it etc. All the kit will hold its value so you could just sell it on anyway.
You just need to pick a body. Don't get so hung up on mega pixels or stats etc. 10mp will see perfectly good results and if you've never owned a DSLR before, you will instantly notice the different in image quality compared to a compact or a phone etc. regardless of the MP count.
If going for Nikon, I would highly recommend an older second hand semi-pro body over a new entry level body. They may cost the same but the entry level stuff is so packed full of crap, it ruins the experience of using it. Something like a D80/90 over one of the d3/5xxx models any day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D80-10-2-MP-Digita...
So say a Nikon D80, likely come with a 18-70mm kit lens anwyay (or an 18-55 if your unlucky
)... will set you back £250-300, then get a 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens for shooting wildlife for £100-£200 and away you go.. Easily in budget and you've got a fantastic bit of kit.
Minimum 200mm for wildlife imo. But really you will need a second lens for general use anyway. The kit 18-55 may do the job perfectly for you.
If you're considering Nikon, something like the 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens will be a nice starter.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon-55-300mm-f-4-5...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/?_pid=99957704&_trks...
They do have a long range so will be quite a compromise as far as quality of concerned, but for the money, they will be a good lens. The 55-300mm does have VR though, hence the price difference. This is Nikons image stabilisation and I would highly recommend it for long zoom lengths. Easily worth the extra £100 over the 70-300mm.
Paired with the kit 18-55, you pretty much cover all bases, although I would recomend the 18-70mm as a general use lens as it's far nicer lens than the 18-55.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-AF-S-18-70mm-ED-f-...
As a general starter kit, that would be very nice for what you plan on using it for, plus your not throwing loads and loads of money at it to find you dont enjoy it etc. All the kit will hold its value so you could just sell it on anyway.
You just need to pick a body. Don't get so hung up on mega pixels or stats etc. 10mp will see perfectly good results and if you've never owned a DSLR before, you will instantly notice the different in image quality compared to a compact or a phone etc. regardless of the MP count.
If going for Nikon, I would highly recommend an older second hand semi-pro body over a new entry level body. They may cost the same but the entry level stuff is so packed full of crap, it ruins the experience of using it. Something like a D80/90 over one of the d3/5xxx models any day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D80-10-2-MP-Digita...
So say a Nikon D80, likely come with a 18-70mm kit lens anwyay (or an 18-55 if your unlucky
)... will set you back £250-300, then get a 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens for shooting wildlife for £100-£200 and away you go.. Easily in budget and you've got a fantastic bit of kit.Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 27th February 09:32
Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 27th February 09:34
Mate of mine is a pro wildlife tog. Sits in a hide for days with this:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-600mm-f4-...
(eek to both)
Here's his Kingfisher page: http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/category/birds-2/k...
I mean... seriously?
http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/kingfisher-20/
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-600mm-f4-...
(eek to both)
Here's his Kingfisher page: http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/category/birds-2/k...
I mean... seriously?
http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/kingfisher-20/
GetCarter said:
Mate of mine is a pro wildlife tog. Sits in a hide for days with this:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-600mm-f4-...
(eek to both)
Here's his Kingfisher page: http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/category/birds-2/k...
I mean... seriously?
http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/kingfisher-20/
Stunning. http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-600mm-f4-...
(eek to both)
Here's his Kingfisher page: http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/category/birds-2/k...
I mean... seriously?
http://www.craigchurchill.co.uk/kingfisher-20/
MysteryLemon said:
18-55 will get you nowhere with wildlife photography. It's a very average general use lens. Got a bit of zoom but really no good for wildlife at all.
Minimum 200mm for wildlife imo. But really you will need a second lens for general use anyway. The kit 18-55 may do the job perfectly for you.
If you're considering Nikon, something like the 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens will be a nice starter.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon-55-300mm-f-4-5...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/?_pid=99957704&_trks...
They do have a long range so will be quite a compromise as far as quality of concerned, but for the money, they will be a good lens. The 55-300mm does have VR though, hence the price difference. This is Nikons image stabilisation and I would highly recommend it for long zoom lengths. Easily worth the extra £100 over the 70-300mm.
Paired with the kit 18-55, you pretty much cover all bases, although I would recomend the 18-70mm as a general use lens as it's far nicer lens than the 18-55.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-AF-S-18-70mm-ED-f-...
As a general starter kit, that would be very nice for what you plan on using it for, plus your not throwing loads and loads of money at it to find you dont enjoy it etc. All the kit will hold its value so you could just sell it on anyway.
You just need to pick a body. Don't get so hung up on mega pixels or stats etc. 10mp will see perfectly good results and if you've never owned a DSLR before, you will instantly notice the different in image quality compared to a compact or a phone etc. regardless of the MP count.
If going for Nikon, I would highly recommend an older second hand semi-pro body over a new entry level body. They may cost the same but the entry level stuff is so packed full of crap, it ruins the experience of using it. Something like a D80/90 over one of the d3/5xxx models any day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D80-10-2-MP-Digita...
So say a Nikon D80, likely come with a 18-70mm kit lens anwyay (or an 18-55 if your unlucky)... will set you back £250-300, then get a 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens for shooting wildlife for £100-£200 and away you go.. Easily in budget and you've got a fantastic bit of kit.
Thanks for taking the time to give me a full concise answer!Just what i was looking for!:-)Minimum 200mm for wildlife imo. But really you will need a second lens for general use anyway. The kit 18-55 may do the job perfectly for you.
If you're considering Nikon, something like the 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens will be a nice starter.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Nikon-55-300mm-f-4-5...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/?_pid=99957704&_trks...
They do have a long range so will be quite a compromise as far as quality of concerned, but for the money, they will be a good lens. The 55-300mm does have VR though, hence the price difference. This is Nikons image stabilisation and I would highly recommend it for long zoom lengths. Easily worth the extra £100 over the 70-300mm.
Paired with the kit 18-55, you pretty much cover all bases, although I would recomend the 18-70mm as a general use lens as it's far nicer lens than the 18-55.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-AF-S-18-70mm-ED-f-...
As a general starter kit, that would be very nice for what you plan on using it for, plus your not throwing loads and loads of money at it to find you dont enjoy it etc. All the kit will hold its value so you could just sell it on anyway.
You just need to pick a body. Don't get so hung up on mega pixels or stats etc. 10mp will see perfectly good results and if you've never owned a DSLR before, you will instantly notice the different in image quality compared to a compact or a phone etc. regardless of the MP count.
If going for Nikon, I would highly recommend an older second hand semi-pro body over a new entry level body. They may cost the same but the entry level stuff is so packed full of crap, it ruins the experience of using it. Something like a D80/90 over one of the d3/5xxx models any day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-D80-10-2-MP-Digita...
So say a Nikon D80, likely come with a 18-70mm kit lens anwyay (or an 18-55 if your unlucky
)... will set you back £250-300, then get a 55-300mm or 70-300mm lens for shooting wildlife for £100-£200 and away you go.. Easily in budget and you've got a fantastic bit of kit.Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 27th February 09:32
Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 27th February 09:34
Those super zoom models like the Fujifilm sl1000 are quite impressive for what they are,read up a bit about them and they seem to tick all my 'amateur' boxes on,price,zoom capability,basic,easy to use features,full hd video recording...the list goes on.I was tempted to buy a good second hand one of the older Canon models but im being drawn to the Fuji,i'll keep you posted!
p.s Just found the Canon sx50 for same price as Fuji,might give that one a punt?
p.s Just found the Canon sx50 for same price as Fuji,might give that one a punt?
Edited by rumpelstiltskin on Thursday 28th February 10:27
Dont overlook the Lumix FZ200 if your considering a bridge. Fantastic lens on that thing but it comes at a price.
TBH though, i wouldn't consider a bridge if you want to shoot wildlife. Animals don't tend to stay in the same place for very long and by the time a bridge has powered up, zoomed in and focused, your subject will have probably buggered off. Plus the quality will be closer to a compact rather than anything like a DSLR.
TBH though, i wouldn't consider a bridge if you want to shoot wildlife. Animals don't tend to stay in the same place for very long and by the time a bridge has powered up, zoomed in and focused, your subject will have probably buggered off. Plus the quality will be closer to a compact rather than anything like a DSLR.
MysteryLemon said:
Dont overlook the Lumix FZ200 if your considering a bridge. Fantastic lens on that thing but it comes at a price.
TBH though, i wouldn't consider a bridge if you want to shoot wildlife. Animals don't tend to stay in the same place for very long and by the time a bridge has powered up, zoomed in and focused, your subject will have probably buggered off. Plus the quality will be closer to a compact rather than anything like a DSLR.
Power up time,i take it that will be 'start-up' time i've read in the specs for the Fuji?,says start up time is 0.9 secs?Doesn't seem too bad?TBH though, i wouldn't consider a bridge if you want to shoot wildlife. Animals don't tend to stay in the same place for very long and by the time a bridge has powered up, zoomed in and focused, your subject will have probably buggered off. Plus the quality will be closer to a compact rather than anything like a DSLR.
Simpo Two said:
- and zoomed in and focused....
Thanks for that,there's always up and down sides to everything i suppose,this camera mallarky is a minefield lol.So i take it most full dslr cameras will be near instant start ups then and focus quickly?50x zoom is a big attraction,and i've already learned at full focus it will become unsteady focus-wise so i'll get a small tripod of some sort if i take this bridge camera route.Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff