Clumber Park with the Bigma

Newbee · #1 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 03:43 PM

Hi, All,

I'm very new to wildlife photography and I'm just gearing up. I've been lurking on this forum for a while, picking up information about equipment. I just bought a Sigma 50-500mm whcih was delivered this morning. Bearing in mind the warnings that it's difficult to use handheld, I went down to Clumber Park at lunchtime and did some test shots handheld at 500mm. I was very happy with the results. Not as heavy as some of the forum posts had led me to think.

Anyone with tips/help for a beginner would be appreciated. Any Clumber Park regulars out there?

Thanks,

Bill

wildlifesnapper · #2 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 03:59 PM

Hi

they don't look bad

If you like taking birds I'd be tempted to go down to Rufford Mill. Most of the birds there are used to people and they're a bit closer.

Good luck,

neil

Newbee · #3 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 04:04 PM

Hi, Neil,

I've never been there. I live in Worksop so I'll give it a go at the week-end, weather permitting.

Thanks.

Bill

FungiJohn · #4 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 04:22 PM

Hi Bill

I'm afraid I had to delete your external image link. These are not allowed on WAB ... see :

How do I add images to forum posts? | Wild About Britain

Regarding Clumber Park. I would suggest visiting the bird feeding stations to play with the Bigma. There's one by the chapel ... just look for the seeds and nuts everywhere

and one by the Classical bridge.

Welcome to WAB btw

John

Newbee · #5 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 04:32 PM

Ooops. Should have read the instructions!

I'll give the feeding station at the chapel a visit.

Thanks,

Bill

FungiJohn · #6 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 04:34 PM

Thanks Bill

It certainly looks like you've got the hang of the Bigma

John

Newbee · #7 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 05:45 PM

I've been humping a 5Kg video camera around for years, so the Bigma feels quite light by comparison. It's a super lens for the money.

Bill

glsammy · #8 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 08:30 PM

You've made a good choice of lens. I agree that the Bigma is fine so far as the weight is concerned. There's few lighter good 500mm lenses around!
It's also hand holdable in decent light, especially if your trying to get birds in flight. Having said that I prefer to use my monopod wherever I can, there's no harm in using some support if it's easy to use. I've no time for tripods, far too cumbersome for me to manage.

Here's a few shots I took today at Rufford Park. It's one of the best local sites, the birds are so familiar with us humans you can get really close to Grebes etc.