Sorry!
I have no difficulty with using that word because it really is my fault.
I had promised that the next part of these Digital Bird-photography notes would
be about
"Bird-photography with Compact Digital Cameras".
But..
As I began to write about that subject I had the feeling I should go into some
of the practicalities
of bird-photography in general. Also, an e-mail from Bob Cook suggesting I
should discuss
'expectations' prompted me to discuss that aspect as well.
So, the part about Compact Digital Cameras will follow this one, at least,
that's the plan.
(Don't worry if you are itching to get yourself a digital camera as soon as
possible. I have it on
very good authority that there will be some better models out next week....and
the week after..)
Firstly, a reminder of the context of these notes:
"Is bird-photography using a digital camera a viable and/or worthwhile process
for the average
birder to get involved with?"
Just to clarify this statement:
By 'viable and/or worthwhile' I mean: "Can bird photos suitable for the
photographer's purposes be
obtained?"
It should be reasonable to say that probably any camera (digital or film) would
be capable of taking
photos of birds, but, will those photos be of any use?
Will they 'please' the camera operator?
To answer that question it would be necessary to know what the expectations of
the photographer are.
When considering the purchase of a digital camera with the intention of taking
photos of birds it is
necessary to consider what you hope for or expect to achieve. You also need to
consider what you
intend to do with the 'photos'.
So...what sort of photos do you want to take?
1/ Photos of the places where you go bird watching?
2/ Photos of birdwatchers?
3/ Photos with birds in them, somewhere?
4/ Record-photos of birds which you can identify because you remember taking
the shot?
5/ Record-photos of birds which other people can identify when you tell them
what the bird is?
6/ Record-photos of birds which other people can identify without any hints
from you?
7/ Photos of birds the identification of which no one (except the real
Smart-Alecs or Alexandrinas)
will argue over?
8/ Photos of birds good enough to make people go at least slightly green with
envy when you show
them?
9/ Photos of sufficient quality to be able to 'prove' the existence of a rare,
vulnerable or unusual
species in a specific location?
10/ Photos of birds showing the finest detail of each feather and skin-wrinkle?
11/ Photos of (external and/or internal) bits and pieces of birds?
12/ Some other purpose I cannot imagine?
Let me tell you:
All digital cameras should be capable of taking photos to complying with the
first three categories
in the list directly above.
Many digital cameras will also manage the next two categories.
The 6th category is probably a little harder for most digital cameras.
Categories 7 and 8 eliminate the majority of digital cameras.
The 9th category will be possible with a very limited number of digital cameras
while the 10th
category is possible with only a very limited range of digital cameras although
that range is
increasing.
Category 11 should be possible with a variety of cameras but may require a
special lens or a
microscope adapter.
The last category would probably require a highly 'specialised' model.
What do you want to do with your bird photos/images?
- simply store them in the equivalent of the 'shoe box' so many photographers
use to store their
prints, negatives and slides (a computer disc of some sort)?
- make electronic 'slide-shows' on CD/DVD for viewing on a computer or TV
screen?
- print as 'hard copies' on your photo-quality printer or at a commercial
outlet?
- create a collection of 'identification' images?
- use to illustrate your bird-watching trip reports?
- display on your (or someone else's) web-site?
- make money?
- something else?
All, and more, of these options are possible if the correct digital camera
choice is made.
But keep in mind: digital bird-photography can be addictive and early
expectations and 'to-do' plans
are likely to change once the bug has bitten. Consider your hopes and plans for
this activity
carefully before you make that purchase.
These notes are intended to help in those considerations but not to tell you
exactly what to do. You
have to make the decisions and you have to devise the justifications.
I have been through those stages and I know I have only myself to blame for
what has transpired as a
result of my decision to 'give it a go'!!
When thinking about trying bird-photography, consider these points:
- Unless your photographs are to be exclusively of pet or caged birds then you
will be attempting to
photograph 'wild' birds.
- Wild birds are usually hard to approach unless they have been 'habituated' to
human contact by
some means such as regular feeding.
- Many wild birds are very small and very active.
- Many wild birds inhabit bushes and light-restricted places.
To cope with any or all of these points it will be necessary to use a camera
with a lens which has
at least the following characteristics:
- is reasonably powerful (long focal-length);
- has a fast and accurate auto-focus system or a manual-focus system which is
easy to use;
- can handle low light levels.
The camera:
- will need a viewfinder which provides a clear view of the subject and which
gives a continuous
view of the subject during 'shooting';
- will need a power supply which is long lasting and easily recharged or
replaced (this is
particularly important with digital cameras);
- should have little or no shutter-lag (the time between when the shutter
button is pressed and when
the shutter operates);
- should have an accurate and reliable auto-exposure system;
- should have controls, mechanical and electronic, which are easy to use;
- must produce images suitable (size and quality) for the purpose intended.
Although the camera and lens should be well constructed and reasonably robust
the following features
are not the most important factors to worry about:
- metal or plastic body (plastic is widely used and seems, in general terms, to
work well);
- silver or black body (some people seem to get 'hung-up' over this with the
concept that black is
more 'professional-looking' especially with SLRs - but my experience has been
colour makes no
difference to performance although I would probably shy away from a pink
camera);
- (for digital cameras) the type of media storage card (the model of the camera
chosen will
determine which type of media card is used - they all work but some older types
will eventually
cease to be used and you will have no control over that);
A final point (for this section of the notes) is:
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories are not cheap!
If you can't afford to 'blow' at least AUD$1000 or, preferably, AUD$2000, in
setting up your Digital
Bird-photography 'kit' then you should possibly consider sticking to just
looking at the birds and
forget about trying to photograph them as well.
People who want to 'get serious' about their Digital Bird-photography should be
budgeting for at
least AUD$3000!
A top-of-the-range Digital SLR complete with a high-grade super-telephoto lens
(dream on......) can
cost AUD$20,000+.
Next: Compact Digital cameras and Bird-photography.
Cheers
Bob Inglis
Woody point
Queensland
Australia
http://users.tpg.com.au/inglisrc/
Note: The opinions expressed in this e-mail are my own and derive from my own
experiences. Before
acting on these opinions it is advisable that other opinions be also sought.
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