Two Bodies for Birding?
Dec 26, 2019 08:59:24 #
I have recently gone FF also and am experimenting with different setups on my morning walks. I have come to like the Canon 7D2 with the Canon 100_400LII primarily for birds and the Sony a7lll with a 25_78 Tamron giving me lots of range and versatility. The Canon is on the right for faster "Quick Draw" situations and exposure set for capturing a bird in flight.
The other combo I have tried is the Canon with a Tamron 18-400mm and Sony with the 100-400LII with or with out the 1.4 extender. My prefrence for the 7D/100_400LII may just be due to shooting so many years with it .
Side note; With the Sigma MC 11 EF to E adapter the Canon 100_400LII works flawlessly on my a7lll so far..
The other combo I have tried is the Canon with a Tamron 18-400mm and Sony with the 100-400LII with or with out the 1.4 extender. My prefrence for the 7D/100_400LII may just be due to shooting so many years with it .
Side note; With the Sigma MC 11 EF to E adapter the Canon 100_400LII works flawlessly on my a7lll so far..
Dec 26, 2019 09:05:34 #
I liked to carry my Canon 7DII with a100-400 lens and my 6D with either the 24-105 or my 16-35 depending on the location. I never like changing lenses in dusty or windy conditions. This set up worked well for me.
Dec 26, 2019 09:07:51 #
via the lens wrote:
Rented the 500PF for that trip only to see if I wanted one, although I am on the BH list. I've got friends who found the lens at various camera stores, just not sure if I want to own it. My first trip to Klamath for eagles. With a guy named Bob Fletcher. Just hoping the birds are close enough to make me happy!
I was not aware that Klamath Falls was known for eagles. I live in Salem Oregon. Thanks for the information. I was at Upper Klamath Falls at the NWR near Chiloquin this summer for the first time. Beautiful area and lots of birds. I googled and found out there is an Eagle festival in Feb at Klamath Falls.
You said you were waiting for the Nikon 500 PF lens. I have been on the list for that lens too. What makes you not sure you want to own it? Just curious.
Dec 26, 2019 10:48:07 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
MrBumps2U wrote:
Thanks for the comment. For an extended walk, i agree that a single camera/lens combo is the way to go. This was my only option before I complicated my life with this second body.
I have found over the years that if I can get away with a FF body I get more detail. It depends a lot on how far away the birds are. Again, I agree that most of the time I find my D500 with 200-500 handles most of my shots.
But the detail of the D850 body with the 500 5.6 lens is something else. Below is an example, and it was cropped extensively.
Dec 26, 2019 11:06:19 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
After becoming very comfortable with my D500, I re... (show quote)
In a single location your logic works ......but not for hiking ! Hiking for me is a single camera/lens on a monopod/bodypod with maybe a close-up lens of some kind in a belted soft case.
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Dec 26, 2019 11:10:22 #
NormanTheGr8 wrote:
Side note; With the Sigma MC 11 EF to E adapter the Canon 100_400LII works flawlessly on my a7lll so far..
Thanks for that tid-bit !
Dec 26, 2019 11:15:22 #
djb663
Loc: Massachusetts
MrBumps2U wrote:
After becoming very comfortable with my D500, I re... (show quote)
I understand your thought process, however, if you use the lens/camera combination that you're referring to, you limit your focal length. Personally, I would put the 200-500 on the D500 to get the reach of a 750mm and then go with the 300 on the D810. You can always crop the D810 images. I usually throw my Sigma 150-600 Sport on my D500 and a 70-200 on my D5. Then, my range is effectively 70-900 between the two cameras. Just a thought. There really isn't a wrong way to do it. Play around and see what suits you best.
Dec 26, 2019 11:21:33 #
Sounds like you are moving in the right direction. My preference, have something in the 600 rande on a tripod with converters with a slower high MP camera attached for perched subjects and a 400mm (tyically with a converter at 560mm) on a faster camera on my hip for birds in flight. I can walk quite a ways with this.
Dec 26, 2019 13:37:41 #
billnikon wrote:
I will be setting up the a6600 menu to mirror my special settings on the a9 for better tracking of birds in flight.
What settings do you use for tracking birds? I am experimenting with my Sony A7 III
Thanks!
Dec 26, 2019 18:01:55 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
After becoming very comfortable with my D500, I re... (show quote)
I think it's going to be a big pain in the ass, but do a test run with the double gear and you'll have the answer.
Dec 26, 2019 18:02:20 #
MrBumps2U wrote:
After becoming very comfortable with my D500, I re... (show quote)
I think it's going to be a big pain in the ass, but do a test run with the double gear and you'll have the answer.
Dec 26, 2019 19:13:27 #
I don't have any birding experience, but I often carry 2 bodies while out and about. I typically have my D7200 (crop) and D750 (FF) attached to me via a triple harness. Another great option about the harness is the ability to latch on the added bags for lenses, flash, and stuff (bear spray).
Dec 27, 2019 06:25:06 #
imagemeister wrote:
In a single location your logic works ......but not for hiking ! Hiking for me is a single camera/lens on a monopod/bodypod with maybe a close-up lens of some kind in a belted soft case.
.
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Different strokes . . .
I hike all the time with just a 150-600 and a FF camera and a sling strap - and nothing else other than a waist pack to hold water and a snack - and a kitchen garbage bag in the event the weather gets wet. I like to keep things as light as possible. These were from a single day hike (about 5-6 miles) this past summer.
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