For those who think bird photography, including birds in flight, require the latest and greatest equipment, I submit the following three images. While not National Geographic quality by a long shot, these three are not bad, especially considering they were taken with my "barn rig", a circa 2003 Pentax 6mp K100d with more than 35k clicks, and a Quantaray 400mm preset bought from Ebay for $.99 plus postage. I use AV mode, with the lens wide open at f6.3, letting the camera set ISO and shutter. If the light is dim I raise the ISO from 200-400 to 800, but other than that, just fire away. Good focus is sometimes an issue, especially in flight, but the camera still gives me a focus confirmation beep, and of course the Pentax has IS with any lens.

For those who think bird photography, including birds in flight, require the latest and greatest equipment, I submit the following three images. While not National Geographic quality by a long shot, these three are not bad, especially considering they were taken with my "barn rig", a circa 2003 Pentax 6mp K100d with more than 35k clicks, and a Quantaray 400mm preset bought from Ebay for $.99 plus postage. I use AV mode, with the lens wide open at f6.3, letting the camera set ISO and shutter. If the light is dim I raise the ISO from 200-400 to 800, but other than that, just fire away. Good focus is sometimes an issue, especially in flight, but the camera still gives me a focus confirmation beep, and of course the Pentax has IS with any lens.