Corsica fox wrote:
Going to Panama soon with a couple days in the mountains to see/photograph birds. I'm not very experienced with birds in rain forest conditions. My gear will be a Nikon D610, 28-300 walk around, and a rented maybe bought Nikon 200-500. Tripod probably not practical but I can take a monopod. Is a ball head a good idea on it. I haven't done that before. As sort of a default set up I'm thinking aperture priority at 6-8, center focus, ISO either auto or 1600, and anything else you recommend. These will be largely for me as I don't compete or print big. Thanks for your help. I'm mostly an old amateur (Argus C3 era) who wants to stay current and worthwhile.
Going to Panama soon with a couple days in the mou... (
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Have done a lot of bird photography in Central America and Caribbean. Certainly the advise of many on this forum is valid, but I have found a couple of things that I have used that may be helpful. First, if you are staying in any of the lodges in the jungle/mountains, there will likely be bird feeders on the grounds. These provide terrific opportunities for tripod mounted shooting. On most of the trails you can bring a tripod, certainly not convenient, but not impossible. I use a lighter weight tripod than I would use at home but it certainly allows better pictures to be taken than you would be able to take hand held or even,off a monopod. The biggest drawback to the tripod is traveling. If you are going to use any of the local airlines, like Nature's Air, weight limits are enforced. When you check in, wear your photography vest, so you can take lenses, cameras etc, and move them from your baggage to your vest if you are close to weight limits.
Also, a significant number of the birds you will see will be along the dirt roads from your car (if you are renting a car or having a private driver). I take a beanbag, packed empty and then purchase a bag of rice locally to fill it. Really helps shooting from the car.
If you do not have a camera carrying harness, like Optech, get one. Makes it much easier to carry heavy camera/lens combinations and your binoculars.
Depending on where you will be staying in Panama, there will numerous opportunities even within the cities for birds.
I shoot Canon, either a 7DII or a 5DIII, with a 500+1.4TC, and by necessity, am stuck with f5.6. I use auto iso, with 400-1600 limit, shutter priority. Often I am shooting at 1/60-1/250 so IS is helpful, but the tripod is even more so. I have more problems with "bird shake" than "camera shake" at those speeds off the tripod. I use spot metering and focus because you are often shooting into trees and bush and try to use +1 EV. Because of the "bird shake" I try to maximize my chances at a good shot, by shooting in bursts of 2-3 shots at a time.
If the lodge you are staying at offers guide service, your experience can be greatly enhanced. Most of guides I have used have been very helpful in increasing the number of birds I see and the photography opportunities available. Tell them you are interested in photographing the birds, not just seeing them.
Beautiful place; hope you have a good time with lots of great pictures.