Canon 1000D - Can it be used for bird photography?

[rebelshooter]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Not for the price of the Sigma 70-300mm. You could possibly get a 400mm fairly cheaply on one of the auction sites but then you are taking a chance on it's condition.

Thanks, Ron! I'll keep an eye out for a good one in the auction sites. Booooy... looking for the right lens is a lot of work. I still like using the Sigma, though, so I think I'm still getting it on the side.

[Jim Ford]

Break the bank and get a first class lens! If you want to upgrade your camera at a later date you can keep and still use the lens. The lens is responsible for 99% of image quality in 'normal' shooting conditions.

Jim

[rebelshooter]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Break the bank and get a first class lens! If you want to upgrade your camera at a later date you can keep and still use the lens. The lens is responsible for 99% of image quality in 'normal' shooting conditions.

Jim

Thanks, Jim! I'll keep that in mind.
I hope I get to save enough to get a decent range or lens.

[nightshade]

I use the Sigma 70-300 with a 1.4 converter, use a tripod and try your lense on a middle distant subject (I use a house wall about 80 mtrs away) and vary the aperture to find the best one for that particular lense (mine is f8-9)

[rebelshooter]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I use the Sigma 70-300 with a 1.4 converter, use a tripod and try your lense on a middle distant subject (I use a house wall about 80 mtrs away) and vary the aperture to find the best one for that particular lense (mine is f8-9)

Hey cool! Thanks, nightshade! I'm going to try that out. I did some test runs for the Canon 1000D + Canon 75-300mm IS USM and got pretty ok, but soft shots at 300mm. I'm going to look around to see if I can get lens so I can use it with a teleconverter and get more reach. Thanks again!

[actionfinch]

I have just tried a canon 1000d , in fact my first time with a real DLSR .
i was using a 18-55mm my friend lent me with it , and wanted something bigger, he returned from holiday and said he had a 75-300mm lens, i borrowed that and the vast improvement was great. im new to all this as well and i love it , just in the backgarden mind but thats good enough for me... i went out in the garden and just sat there with it and the little fellas came down , they didnt seem to disturbed by me...its taken my bird loving to a whole new level..

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

i was using a 18-55mm my friend lent me with it.

I've no experience of the above lens, but be aware that the earlier versions had an appalling reputation - being described as a 'bottle bottom'! I mention this lest you judge the camera based on the lens performance.

Jim

[rebelshooter]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

I have just tried a canon 1000d , in fact my first time with a real DLSR .
i was using a 18-55mm my friend lent me with it , and wanted something bigger, he returned from holiday and said he had a 75-300mm lens, i borrowed that and the vast improvement was great. im new to all this as well and i love it , just in the backgarden mind but thats good enough for me... i went out in the garden and just sat there with it and the little fellas came down , they didnt seem to disturbed by me...its taken my bird loving to a whole new level..

Oooh... glad you liked your experience with the 1000d. Thanks so much for the feedback. I've had the camera for two years now (since I posted this entry) and am quite happy with it. You're right about the 75-300mm lens, they're good for bird shooting at a closer range, like the garden.

Bird watching rocks, and I am glad that your experience was a good one.
Here's to great feathery friends!