gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

It was a fabulous day at a local spot just south of Woodstock, Ontario called Hodges Pond on May 12, 2023. I picked up a Nikon z50 to give mirrorless a shot again just because I have found that part of my problems with my photos in the past was the use of the Sigma 150-600 as it was just too heavy for me to use handheld I have discovered. The Sigma 100-400 is a much better fit for me even if I lose a bit of reach, and it had worked well on my Nikon d300 so I figured I would purchase the z50 again and try it out.
So far, I have found that it acquires focus quickly even under the forest canopy. One thing I wish was easier to achieve would be the changing of focus areas for still birds in flight but with time I am sure I will get use to the buttons I have mapped out for this skill to improve. I do wish that you had the ability to change the focus square size the same way you can on a Panasonic camera instead of just being able to switch focus areas also the Panasonic has an ability to use just a single focus point which helps when the birds are in the cover of a lot of branches. Again, with time I am sure I will discover ways to make the z50 do what I want.
I was warned before I purchased the camera that birds in flight can be almost impossible especially with a cluttered background. I had an opportunity to try it out yesterday when a Belted Kingfisher took off from the other side of the creek and flew down along the woods. I did manage to acquire focus and found that I had gotten 5 out of the fifteen shots that were usable, and I am sure with more practice I will be able to improve on this.
All in all, I was happy with the way the Nikon z50 and Sigma 100-400 performed together and look forward to improving as my knowledge of the camera and its intricacies become second nature like my d300.
Photos were edited in NX Studio then put thru Topaz DeNoise

Thanks for taking the time to view and read.

Cape May Warbler

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Common Yellowthroat

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Coon on an old pine

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Belted Kingfisher

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Belted Kingfisher cropped in

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Enjoy your new setup.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice results, Greg! That combination works well for you.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thank you

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thanks will have to continue to work on it but the lesser weight is great

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Excellent results - for just "trying" 😛😛😛😛😛

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thank you

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice set.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thanks

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Does that camera have a toggle on it that allows you to change the area of focus? I'm a Canon guy and not familiar with Nikon.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

Very nice. That combination is producing crisp images.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

No at the moment I have one of the front buttons by the lens housing set up to change focus areas quick well once I get used to it lol I’m use to a switch on the Nikon d300 that is just second nature so it will take some getting used to. Thanks for looking

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Yes it is I want happy with the camera when I tried it before with the sigma 150-600 but have since figured out that lens was just too heavy for me hand held. Thanks for taking the time to look

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great captures, Greg.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Very nice set