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Recommendations for a new camera for mostly bird photography
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Mar 1, 2021 19:21:11   #
JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois
 
jdtonkinson wrote:
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, as a novice photographer.
Primarily I take bird and nature photographs.
I have upgraded from a Canon sx420, and currently I have a Nikon P950. It is back at Nikon for repairs for a 2nd time (about 6 weeks ago they replaced the lens and main pcb.....now the LCD isn't working correctly and it has been locking up on me.
So I am considering options.
I was considering a D3500, D5600 or possibly the Z 50 mirrorless. Unfortunately budget is a factor.
I have loved the Zoom range of the P950, but the focus is slow and it doesn't do well in dim lighting.

I would like some feedback about pros and cons. Are there other models I should consider?

Thanks in advance.
Jim
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, ... (show quote)


For bird shots I use the Nikon D7200 with the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.


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Mar 1, 2021 19:46:29   #
jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN
 
Gene51 wrote:
Megapixels would describe the body, not the lens, but you are correct - more mp = greater cropping. You can get a decent D800 used for around $600, and a Tamron 150-600 G2 new for around $1200 or used for under $1000. if you are patient and can wait for the right deal to come around - you can come very close to your budget goal. I purchased the the camera and lens used for the attached images used.

I shot nearly 4000 pictures, mostly of birds, with a similar combo (D800 and Sigma Sport 150-600), and though it is not the "ideal" camera for birding, and the lens is "too slow" for some folks, I think the results speak for themselves. I have also shot with the Tamron G2 and find it comparable to the Sigma.

The last two were shot with my lens and camera, but by a friend who was testing the gear out in advance of purchasing it from me.
Megapixels would describe the body, not the lens, ... (show quote)


Thank you very much Gene. I appreciate all of this info. Loved the photos...very sharp.

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Mar 1, 2021 20:03:59   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
jdtonkinson wrote:
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, as a novice photographer.
Primarily I take bird and nature photographs.
I have upgraded from a Canon sx420, and currently I have a Nikon P950. It is back at Nikon for repairs for a 2nd time (about 6 weeks ago they replaced the lens and main pcb.....now the LCD isn't working correctly and it has been locking up on me.
So I am considering options.
I was considering a D3500, D5600 or possibly the Z 50 mirrorless. Unfortunately budget is a factor.
I have loved the Zoom range of the P950, but the focus is slow and it doesn't do well in dim lighting.

I would like some feedback about pros and cons. Are there other models I should consider?

Thanks in advance.
Jim
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, ... (show quote)


Nikon 7200 or Canon 80D with Tamron 100-400 is the best you can do for your budget. If you can handle more weight and stretch $$$, do the Tamron 150-600 G2. OTOH, If I were you, I would be seriously looking at the Sony RX10 IV also for much less weight and user friendliness.
.

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Mar 1, 2021 20:28:56   #
jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN
 
JRiepe wrote:
For bird shots I use the Nikon D7200 with the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.


Very impressive photos....Very sharp rich images. thank you very much!!
I would love to be able take images like these.

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Mar 1, 2021 20:30:19   #
jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN
 
imagemeister wrote:
Nikon 7200 or Canon 80D with Tamron 100-400 is the best you can do for your budget. If you can handle more weight and stretch $$$, do the Tamron 150-600 G2. OTOH, If I were you, I would be seriously looking at the Sony RX10 IV also for much less weight and user friendliness.
.


Thank you very much for the insights. I know some people in my birding group that have the Sony RX10 IV, and like it very much.

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Mar 1, 2021 21:58:01   #
MDI Mainer
 
I'd go for a Sony a6100 for its near state-of-the-art autofocus on a budget, and the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony FE Fit lens which will give you 600mm on this APSC body (using the sharpest optics area of the lens) and 1200mm using the camera's very capable digital zoom.

Buying used from some place like MPB would bring this combo close to your price point, with the comfort of having a 7-day return period and 6-month warranty. But these items are popular, and you might have to wait for them to be in stock.

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Mar 2, 2021 00:11:46   #
jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN
 
SX2002 wrote:
The combo I use (and has won me several awards/publications in magazines) is my D500 and my Sigma 150-600mm...the 35mm equivalent is 900mm...
Here are five shots in one second using the 5 frames/second setting of a Tern flying along the beach about 50-70 meters away...(@900mm)


Thank you very much for the info. Impressive speed and images

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Mar 2, 2021 00:12:48   #
jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN
 
MDI Mainer wrote:
I'd go for a Sony a6100 for its near state-of-the-art autofocus on a budget, and the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary - Sony FE Fit lens which will give you 600mm on this APSC body (using the sharpest optics area of the lens) and 1200mm using the camera's very capable digital zoom.

Buying used from some place like MPB would bring this combo close to your price point, with the comfort of having a 7-day return period and 6-month warranty. But these items are popular, and you might have to wait for them to be in stock.
I'd go for a Sony a6100 for its near state-of-the-... (show quote)

Thanks
I was looking at that model as well.

So much to think about

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Mar 2, 2021 00:21:37   #
MDI Mainer
 
jdtonkinson wrote:
Thanks
I was looking at that model as well.

So much to think about


I should have added that I actually went that route to replace my (much heavier) A77/Tamron 150-600 combo, which I traded for a hefty credit with MPB. Impressively smooth transaction. There are just so many more options with an ILC.

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Mar 2, 2021 02:44:18   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
JRiepe wrote:
For bird shots I use the Nikon D7200 with the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens.



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Mar 2, 2021 05:33:45   #
Delderby Loc: Derby UK
 
Whilst I am not a birder, I wonder why no-one has mentioned Panasonic M4/3? Lenses with a 2x crop factor could equal big savings?

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Mar 2, 2021 06:26:57   #
keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.
 
Nikon D500 for sure. D500 tracking with bottomless buffer. I have one and awesome for wildlife

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Mar 2, 2021 06:29:13   #
uhaas2009
 
If you are serious about birding I would go least with d500. The focus system responds way faster and is more stronger vs 3500. Normally I would agree with 3500 especially when you still learning

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Mar 2, 2021 06:42:22   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
jdtonkinson wrote:
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, as a novice photographer.
Primarily I take bird and nature photographs.
I have upgraded from a Canon sx420, and currently I have a Nikon P950. It is back at Nikon for repairs for a 2nd time (about 6 weeks ago they replaced the lens and main pcb.....now the LCD isn't working correctly and it has been locking up on me.
So I am considering options.
I was considering a D3500, D5600 or possibly the Z 50 mirrorless. Unfortunately budget is a factor.
I have loved the Zoom range of the P950, but the focus is slow and it doesn't do well in dim lighting.

I would like some feedback about pros and cons. Are there other models I should consider?

Thanks in advance.
Jim
I started bird photography about 1-1/2 years ago, ... (show quote)


I would wait for the Nikon 200-600 mm lens to come out for the Z camera's. Then get either a Z9 or Z7ii.

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Mar 2, 2021 06:57:47   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
robertjerl wrote:
Nikon's dedicated action/wildlife/birds camera is the D500, just like my Canon 7DII. Go to the company site and see if they have any refurbished with factory warranty. The budget version would be the D7500, but it does not have the AF of the D500. If you would consider going Canon the 90D is "almost" a 7DII and they have them in stock at the Canon store-new and refurbished.
For birds with an interchangeable lens camera the real expense is going to be the lenses. Nikon's 200-500 is good, I use the Canon 100-400L with 1.4x at times or the Tamron 150-600 G2 - but it is big and heavy so I use it on a tripod-they make it for the Nikon and it will cost you a lot less than the 200-500 or my 100-400 cost me. A lighter, less expensive option is the Sigma C 150-600 but it isn't weather sealed and the Sigma Sport which is weather sealed is a lot more expensive.
Nikon's dedicated action/wildlife/birds camera is ... (show quote)


I totally agree with this!

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