Seeking lighter equipment: I am 82 and am thinking of purchasing a lighter camera and a lighter lens capable of shooting birds in flight. I own (among several Nikon cameras and...

davidb1879

I am 82 and am thinking of purchasing a lighter camera and a lighter lens capable of shooting birds in flight. I own (among several Nikon cameras and lenses,) a Canon SX 50 and a Panasonic Lumix FZ300. Both cameras have their good points, but are incapable of capturing birds in flight (at least when I am the photographer.) I would welcome your suggestions. Thank you. Davidb1879

Genessi Loc: SoCal

Sony RX10 IV 24mm-600mm Bridge camera

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm using a micro four thirds Panasonic GX8 with a Panasonic 100-400 lens equipped with an Olympus red dot sight. The newer Panasonic G9 would have better focusing.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

davidb1879 wrote:

I am 82 and am thinking of purchasing a lighter camera and a lighter lens capable of shooting birds in flight. I own (among several Nikon cameras and lenses,) a Canon SX 50 and a Panasonic Lumix FZ300. Both cameras have their good points, but are incapable of capturing birds in flight (at least when I am the photographer.) I would welcome your suggestions. Thank you. Davidb1879

Birds in flight are a challenge, even for a big heavy camera and lens combo.

I find that the Sony RX10M4 offers a blazingly fast and accurate auto focus system, capable of catching at least some birds in flight. It is not cheap, but once you start seeing your results, the sting goes away. The more you use it the faster the sting changes to a smile. I have no regrets. I was an early adopter back in 2016 when it was released. I liked the M3 version, but found the auto focus system awkward and not suitable for active subjects - luckily this was one of the things that was significantly upgraded in the M4 version.

_DSC3649-DSC-RX10M4--(17-12-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

(Download)

wildweasel

since the new models came out there are some good prices on the Olympus EM 1 Mark ll, the Panasonic/Leica 100-400 lens is still not cheap, but it is a fantastic lens for birding at 200-800 mm at 2X crop factor.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

I second the Sony RX10 IV

Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio

The Sony Rx10M4, with its 24-600 mm lens, is a great camera. I bought one 2 years ago, and now use it almost all the time, and seldom use my heavy Nikon cameras and lenses.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Olympus M1X.

Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado

wildweasel wrote:

since the new models came out there are some good prices on the Olympus EM 1 Mark ll, the Panasonic/Leica 100-400 lens is still not cheap, but it is a fantastic lens for birding at 200-800 mm at 2X crop factor.

I second this combination.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Genessi wrote:

Sony RX10 IV 24mm-600mm Bridge camera

fetzler Loc: North West PA

wildweasel wrote:

since the new models came out there are some good prices on the Olympus EM 1 Mark ll, the Panasonic/Leica 100-400 lens is still not cheap, but it is a fantastic lens for birding at 200-800 mm at 2X crop factor.

I concur. Olympus cameras are great and light weight. For long focal lengths you could also consider the Panasonic 100-300mm (The second version). It is cheaper.

Brenda IS Scottish Loc: GOLDEN Colorado

Sony

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Nikon Z50

debk

I would also suggest Olympus- either the OMD EM1 Mark II, OMD EM1 Mark III or OMD EMX1 bodies. I have the EM! Mark II and have been trying it with my 75-300 lens (can be found on sale for $399) and have been impressed. One feature that the others have not mentioned is the ProCapture mode that only Olympus has. If you anticipate action, you can hold the shutter button halfway- then the camera continues to take photos in a loop of 30 or so. Once the action happens, fully press the shutter button to record the approx last 30 frames. Downside is higher battery usage, but when you get that one shot.... Here is a link to Tim's video on ProCapture: https://www.timboyerphotography.com/blog/2020/4/22/how-to-use-olympus-pro-capture-mode You can check out Tim Boyer's videos on YouTube which may help you get a feel for the Olympus system- he uses the EMX1 and 300 mm 2.8 lens and does bird photography.

Bird Photographer, Arthur Morris, uses the Sony Alpha a9 II, however the body is quite pricey.

wildweasel

fetzler wrote:

I concur. Olympus cameras are great and light weight. For long focal lengths you could also consider the Panasonic 100-300mm (The second version). It is cheaper.