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Help me pick the camera for me
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Jun 5, 2017 18:37:57   #
Deanie1113
 
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my Sony RX 10 III. I just haven't found the camera I am looking for. Maybe you all can help. Here's what's important to me: Lightweight, excellent IQ, ability to capture birds close or far without losing feather detail, able to autofocus quickly for birds in flight, able to shoot in RAW. What I don't care about: video. Budget under $2,000. Suggestions? I already own a Nikon D5500 with an 18-140 lens, not good for birding. And a Canon SX60, which hunts continuously for a bird in a tree. Thanks!

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Jun 5, 2017 18:58:01   #
Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak
 
It sounds like you just returned the camera that fits your requirements.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:00:54   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my Sony RX 10 III. I just haven't found the camera I am looking for. Maybe you all can help. Here's what's important to me: Lightweight, excellent IQ, ability to capture birds close or far without losing feather detail, able to autofocus quickly for birds in flight, able to shoot in RAW. What I don't care about: video. Budget under $2,000. Suggestions? I already own a Nikon D5500 with an 18-140 lens, not good for birding. And a Canon SX60, which hunts continuously for a bird in a tree. Thanks!
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my ... (show quote)


You are the second person who made a post stating they had returned the excellent Sony RX10iii. That person returned it and purchased the version one in that model. Claims it was better. As popular as the Canon SX50 and SX60 are on this forum, it can not compare to the Sony RX10iii, except for a longer focal range. If you already own a Nikon D5500, which is an excellent DX camera, and you like birding, perhaps you should consider purchasing a Nikon 200-500mm lens, or a Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm. However, being a lightweight as you prefer, it is not. You can use a tripod. Either of the lenses should serve you well for birding, and your $2000 budget should cover the prices of each one. Good luck.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:09:41   #
Deanie1113
 
For real! It's image quality was terrible -- very, very noisy. Much worse than my Canon SX 60, though I controls, buttons, and autofocus was great.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:12:35   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
Em1 (used) 40-150 f2.8 with emc-14

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Jun 5, 2017 19:13:02   #
Deanie1113
 
Yes, I thought of that. I would have to use a tripod. I am an teeny, tiny woman and just don't think I'd be able to carry a heavy lens for long. But with birding, you often have to hike.
Thanks for replying!

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Jun 5, 2017 19:13:30   #
orrie smith Loc: Kansas
 
Deanie1113 wrote:
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my Sony RX 10 III. I just haven't found the camera I am looking for. Maybe you all can help. Here's what's important to me: Lightweight, excellent IQ, ability to capture birds close or far without losing feather detail, able to autofocus quickly for birds in flight, able to shoot in RAW. What I don't care about: video. Budget under $2,000. Suggestions? I already own a Nikon D5500 with an 18-140 lens, not good for birding. And a Canon SX60, which hunts continuously for a bird in a tree. Thanks!
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my ... (show quote)


For birding, lightweight and a budget under $2000.00 will not cut it. In my opinion, the best combination for what you want to photograph would be the Nikon d500 with a 200-500mm lens. The cost would be almost double what you want to spend, but you would only need to spend it once. If you look for a budget camera, you will need to upgrade in the near future, so in the long run you will lose money, not save it. The 200-500mm lens will work on your d5500 while you save up some money for the d500 camera body. Sometimes you need to blow the budget to get what you need. Save a little longer and get what will last rather than throw your money into something that will not do what you want.
You may want to try to rent the combo and see what they will do for you before you buy, but if you do rent the d500 with the 200-500 lens, you will not want to settle for less.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:21:52   #
Deanie1113
 
Love the idea of renting. Like your financial philosophy ... Definitely will consider what you said. But being able to carry the thing around with me is very important, so IDK. Thank you.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:22:50   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
orrie smith wrote:
For birding, lightweight and a budget under $2000.00 will not cut it. In my opinion, the best combination for what you want to photograph would be the Nikon d500 with a 200-500mm lens. The cost would be almost double what you want to spend, but you would only need to spend it once. If you look for a budget camera, you will need to upgrade in the near future, so in the long run you will lose money, not save it. The 200-500mm lens will work on your d5500 while you save up some money for the d500 camera body. Sometimes you need to blow the budget to get what you need. Save a little longer and get what will last rather than throw your money into something that will not do what you want.
You may want to try to rent the combo and see what they will do for you before you buy, but if you do rent the d500 with the 200-500 lens, you will not want to settle for less.
For birding, lightweight and a budget under $2000.... (show quote)

The first item in her list was light weight. That combo is anything but light weight. She reiterated the weight concerns in a later post.

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Jun 5, 2017 19:54:58   #
BebuLamar
 
I don't think they make such a camera especially for less than $2000.
Please don't feel offended by what I said and what I am going to say. I hope you're not very experienced in photography because your search for a camera seems to indicate that way. What I learned over the years is to expect less out of my camera and learned how to create good photographs without being able to take pictures of tiny subjects, far away and moving fast. I learned to create photographs that I want to keep without having to travel far (thus light equipment isn't necessary) but rather photographs of things that surround me.

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Jun 5, 2017 20:09:59   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Sony RX10ii (not version 3, but version 2). Look carefully at the specs and compare to Version 3 which you do not like - you might be surprised. Alternatively, consider the Panasonic DMC GX85 with a long Micro4/3 lens of your choosing. /Ralph

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Jun 5, 2017 20:44:53   #
Deanie1113
 
Will certainly check those both out. Thank you.

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Jun 5, 2017 22:38:12   #
terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii
 
I think an investment into a longer lens of good quality for the D5500 would be the answer thats a good camera as is the one you returned as far as I have heard many folks like the Sony RX 10, I haven't used one, so firsthand experience would be from someone else. If you really want to buy a different camera look at used or refurbished from BH,
Adorama, KEH, Cameta or any reputable store. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.
Deanie1113 wrote:
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my Sony RX 10 III. I just haven't found the camera I am looking for. Maybe you all can help. Here's what's important to me: Lightweight, excellent IQ, ability to capture birds close or far without losing feather detail, able to autofocus quickly for birds in flight, able to shoot in RAW. What I don't care about: video. Budget under $2,000. Suggestions? I already own a Nikon D5500 with an 18-140 lens, not good for birding. And a Canon SX60, which hunts continuously for a bird in a tree. Thanks!
Hi! My first post here. I have just returned my ... (show quote)

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Jun 5, 2017 22:40:53   #
terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii
 
I forgot to tell you welcome to the hog there are many folks on here that are willing to share some really good advice, and cannot wait to see some of your work.
terry44 wrote:
I think an investment into a longer lens of good quality for the D5500 would be the answer thats a good camera as is the one you returned as far as I have heard many folks like the Sony RX 10, I haven't used one, so firsthand experience would be from someone else. If you really want to buy a different camera look at used or refurbished from BH,
Adorama, KEH, Cameta or any reputable store. Good luck and let us know how it comes out.



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Jun 5, 2017 23:00:20   #
James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee
 
Wingpilot wrote:
It sounds like you just returned the camera that fits your requirements.


I know, sounds like she had the perfect camera...glad I kept mine...captures great feature detail.


(Download)

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