Canon 60D any good for bird photography?

darrenm · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2011, 07:24 AM

At present still trying to get to grips with the Canon 7D i bought recently but being a new DSLR user finding it a bit of a struggle ,allthough enjoying it

.

Earlier in the week decided to purchase a Canon 60D as a back up and finding it a bit more user friendly but so far havnt managed to get out and about with it yet due to the flu

I know it has a lower frame per second rate and not so many megapixels but so far it seems easier to use if only from the kitchen window.

Wondering if anyone on the forum is using a 60D and what do they think of it

johnf3f · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2011, 11:26 PM

The simple answer is YES! However if I read your post correctly you also have a 7D. If so this is better but involves a steeper learnig curve but will ultimately give better results.
An important consideration is what glass (lenses) do you use? The cheaper (kit) options will often perform suprisingly well on static subjects but if you want in flight shots then the "hit" rate will be low unless you have some of the better lenses.
Let us know what you are using and maybe some useful suggestions may come?
As an aside the most important thing is practice - get out there and use what you have got - learn your kit - this will give you far more than flashy gear. It's the photographer that makes the shot not the camera/lens.
Good luck - let us know how you get on.

P.S. See if there are any local WAB members close to you, I am sure they will be happy to help.

darrenm · #3 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 06:45 PM

At present i am getting sharper pics with my 60D than the 7D but will persist with both.

I also have second hand 40D which allthough slow by todays standards i am still very happy with it. Hopefully when the fixed 400mm arrives things will improve all round and hopefully get some results i would be happy to post here

darrenm · #4 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 06:52 PM

I am using a Canon 100-400mm IS lens and a 70-300mm and use a 1.4 and 2x conversion lens on and off on both. The 7D no matter how i tweak the settings for some reason the shots are not sharp and wonder if it's a fault with the camera? or my settings are wrong for the lens. Sent for a Canon 400mm fixed lens and will hopefully get some better results with that.

willing to learn · #5 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 08:12 PM

I use a 7d with the 100mm-400mm on a 7D and get really good results, in fact perhaps my first choice body for birds. However I would not expect good results with an converter. Yet with the 1D mk2 N the lens with an extender gives good results.
Regards
Colin

Gaza · #6 (**permalink**) 15-01-2011, 08:38 AM

Hi Darrenm

I am surprised to hear that you are having issues with the focusing on your 7D.
I have the 7D and find it to be very sharp, in focus!

What are you photographing ?

What AF point selection are you using?

I have only ever heard of one other photographer, with the same complaint.
It turned out that he was trying to use Zone AF to photograph birds in flight and static birds at a far off distance.

When he tried single point AF, Spot AF, and AF point expansion, for in flights. He found that he was getting the quality he wanted.

There is a learning curve, to using this camera.
But I think it is very good camera.

eenymac · #7 (**permalink**) 15-01-2011, 10:27 AM

I wonder if the focus with the 7D is slightly off kilter with that particular lens, or lenses? I'm a Pentax user myself but would assume that the 7D, being a high-end model, would have an AF micro adjust capability.
Best way to test is to set up a reference target indoors, set the camera on a tripod and take a few test shots are various apertures. Use mirror lockup and self timer if necessary to eliminate any shake / vibration. Adjust focus up or down via micro adjust facility and repeat the process until image focus shows improvement.

I did this in the office a couple of weeks ago for my K5 as it was slightly off when using my DA*300mm. I used a calendar on the oposite wall as a target due to it's varying print sizes, using cntre focus point.

The same Lens is pin sharp on my K20D without any adjustment.

Worth a try and doesn't take too long.

darrenm · #8 (**permalink**) 16-01-2011, 07:37 AM

thanks for the advice and will persist with the 7D and mostly use the 60D because it does produce sharp images without a lot of headaches and until i can start to get sharp images with the 7D.

Hopefully when the new fixed lens arrives it will be a better match for the 7D

but have read elsewhere that other users of the 7D have experienced the same problems that i have found.

It would be nice to meet someone with a 7D who knows how to set it up for the best results. I have tried the tutorial which was posted on another thread on this site but with no better results.

At present i love the 60D and cant fault it

MeadsMan · #9 (**permalink**) 16-01-2011, 11:30 AM

I was just wondering Darrenm,if you had tried bolting both cameras to a tripod,and using the same lens on both bodies at the same settings and testing on a static subject,to see if one is still sharper than the other ?

darrenm · #10 (**permalink**) 16-01-2011, 06:07 PM

Will give that a go and have been using a monopod and want to see if i can get the 7D sharp. Met someone today while out and about who bought a 7D around the same time as me and is getteing very sharp pics with his. I hadnt taken the 7D with me today or i would have asked for help with it. A lesson learnt