Go to.a shop. Try the Nikon and the Canon. Go with whichever you prefer.
Get the best lens you can afford and the cheapest body with a decent
fps and autofocus system. Again - fiddle in store and you will work
out what you like.
I shoot Nikon but inherited a Canon 500 f/4 IS from my Dad so bought a
body for it. I've taken over 20,000 photos with each of Nikon and
Canon over the past 2 years. I prefer the ergonomics of the Nikon. The
final output from each is equally good.
Anyone who tells you one is "better" than the other is just imoosing a
personal bias. They are as good as each other. The lenses are equally
good. The cameras are equally good. Nikon tends to be less likely to
"lock out" features on it's consumer models to maintain its pricing
hierachy but that is the only major difference I can think of. If one
is "better" at a particular price point it's just the stage of the
product cycle and the other will be "better" again in a few months.
So, in a nutshell, get Canon or Nikon. Buy the one that feels right in
your hand.
On 12/8/08, Paul Dodd <> wrote:
> Bob,
>
> See my answers interleaved below. Please note, I use Nikon gear, Ruth, my
> wife, uses Canon. In my opinion, they are the only two brands worth looking
> at, simply because the of the lenses you will need for birding.
>
> Also check out http://www.dpreview.com/ for reviews of all cameras and
> lenses - it is without doubt the most useful photographic review source on
> the net.
>
> All the best,
>
> Paul Dodd
> Docklands, Victoria
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Bob Cook
> Sent: Monday, 8 December 2008 10:32 PM
> To:
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Digital SLR for bird photography - delete if no
> interest!
>
> Oh well, what the Hell! I will open the subject again.
>
>
>
> Please quickly delete this message if you are not interested in cameras.
>
>
>
> Also, please reply directly if you think any reply might "clog up" the list.
> However, I think some others may be interested.
>
>
>
> Obviously my major interest, from the point of getting best results for my
> $$$'s, is bird and other wildlife photography, mostly land-based but also
> occasional pelagic and occasional distant waders (they don't count as
> land-based!). I am happy spend a bit more if it gives a significant
> advantage. So you will understand what the key features will be, like
> accurate focusing on small moving targets in poorer light, maintaining focus
> on unidentified flying "objects", coping with light contrasts between
> subject and background (I have never been able to get a good result with an
> Egret more than 25 metres away against a dark background!), etc. I am sure
> some of you can identify other key factors I should consider.
>
>
>
> I would like to hear some opinions / advice on moving to Digital SLR
> equipment that is better than entry level, but not professional level. I
> guess that means that, at best prices, I might spend $2500 to $3000 for body
> & single lens. The questions I have include:
>
>
>
> * Opinion on Canon vs Nikon vs Olympus vs anything else in that
> quality range. i.e. quality for $$$.
>
>>>> Either Nikon or Canon. Price is comparable.
>
>
>
> * Canon EOS40D vs EOS50D - why pay the extra few hundred $. I read
> about the specification differences, but are they relevant to my needs?
>
>>>> For Canon, I'd spend the small amount of extra money for the 50D.
>
>
>
> * Nikon D80 vs D90 vs D300, same question.
>
>>>> Absolutely no question - the D300 is a BRILLIANT camera. The 56 spot
> autofocus tracking is the outstanding feature of this camera.
>
>
> * Lenses: I understand that Canon IS L is going to give much better
> results for the extra $$ and Nikkor VR is well worth the extra money over a
> "standard" lens.
>
>>>> As a keen amateur, you'll probably end up with the 400mm zoom - the
> 100-400mm IS L for Canon, or the 80-400mm VR for Nikon. As a user of both, I
> reckon the Canon lens is marginally better than the Nikon. I say this as a
> Nikon user (I have the 80-400mm VR). There is no doubt that the IS/VR is
> essential (and works well).
>
>
> * Zoom, say 70 - 300 or 55 - 200, vs fixed telephoto, say 200mm or
> 300mm (or more?). I understand the convenience & flexibility factors, but
> what about the quality of results? Or is this really just a matter of the
> lens quality overall?
>
>>>> For birding 400mm is the shortest that you'd want. See my comments
> above.
>
>
> * And what about using 1.4 or 2 times attachable tele-converter. Do
> these impair the results, or again just make sure you get a tele-converter
> of matching quality?
>
>>>> If you do use a teleconverter, spend the extra $ and get a REAL Canon or
> Nikon, don't buy the third-party ones. We did a trip to Hong Kong using
> Kenko teleconverters. All our shots were disappointingly soft - and that was
> true for both Nikon and Canon.
>
>
>
> * What about the value of larger aperture (and larger $) lens, say
> f2.8 vs f4 / f5.6? Do other camera / lens features compensate for not
> having the larger aperture in poorer light? Or is more always better, if you
> can afford it?
>
>>>> Oh yes. The faster lenses (larger apertures) are brilliant. These
> usually are usually the domain of professionals though, because you'll pay
> thousands for them. If you go this route, the 500mm IS/VR lens is a good
> choice. Also this will work well with a teleconverter.
>
>
> * What about the "Super-zooms", e.g. 18 - 200mm? Do they lose quality
> of result at either extreme because they are trying to achieve too much?
>
>>>> Don't bother. Good if you get one with the body, otherwise don't bother.
>
>
> * What about "other manufacturer" lenses, e.g. Sigma? Do they give
> comparable results for less $$$?
>
>>>> You'd pay the same sort of money for a Sigma as you would for the camera
> brand. Some photographers swear by them, others say stick to the camera
> brand lenses. I prefer the camera brands.
>
>
>
> * What about Image Stabilisation in the lens vs in the body? What
> advantages of either and why? I believe IS lens is the better way to go.
>
>>>> IS in the lens. However, I say that without ever having used IS in the
> body of a DSLR.
>
>
>
> * Do the mid-range lenses, with IS, really allow you to shoot at
> distance at, say 1/8 sec and slower, without tripod or similar support?
>
>>>> Yes. IS really does work.
>
>
>
> * Opinion on buying from reputable supplier in the U.S., e.g. B&H. I
> think this is OK and prices look about 10% to 20% better on current US$ vs
> Aust Peso exchange rates.
>
>>>> I have bought from both B&H and Adorama. Both are reputable. Both are
> prompt and the staff are helpful.
>
>
>
> I am not an expert, but want to develop my skills, knowledge and enjoyment
> with equipment that will give me results that I will be happy with (does
> that mean "compensates for my own shortcomings"???)
>
>>>> Canon 50D + 100-400 IS or Nikon D300 + 80-400 VR. Either setup will
> allow you to both develop your skills and will be perfectly usable once you
> are "skilled up".
>
>
>
> I also understand that location, preparation and patience are the best three
> pieces of "equipment" to give the best results!
>
>
>
> Thanks in anticipation for all contributions.
>
>
>
> Bob Cook
>
>
>
>
>
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