What camera body to go with?

[spillergent]

hello alex I have just read your post and have just bought a canon 300d last month i have lots of fun using it and find it fine to use apart from the multi shot like you said slow how ever im getting really good pictures on it my advice is rather throw a load of money at a new camera i would recomend spending a little money on a old 35mm slr they go really cheap and have a play about with it this will most defanatley improve your techneic and understanding of apture,exposer and iso setting this is were i began and it help alot with no auto focus and preset functions or program mode or just read some 35mm slr manuals

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

I've not read through all the posts, but my thoughts are stick with the camera you've got for now and get the technique sorted. Throwing money at it and not getting the results will only make you feel worse.

Also, don't try to be too ambicious at first. Small birds are quick moving, even the pro's will get a lot of rejects. Most practice their skills at places like Slimbridge.

When you can get consistant good results on 'sitting ducks' then spend some money for the faster kit.

My 6MP D70 has paid for it's self several times over, the 12MP D300 hasn't paid for it's self yet. There's more to it than pixels.

Hope this helps.

I couldn't agree more. When I look back some of the best shots I've ever taken where with a Zenith, just about the cheapest slr camera around. Purely manual with nothing "auto".
Since I've been taking shots of wildlife I think some of my best shots were taken with my 20D, which is also an 8mp camera. I still use it frequently.
As for the ratio of rejects I get now, I'd say around 90% would be about right. Not I hasten to add, that I'm saying I'm a pro. Far, far from it!

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by glsammy

When I look back some of the best shots I've ever taken where with a Zenith, just about the cheapest slr camera around. Purely manual with nothing "auto".

Ah, but did you have an instant return mirror on yours - mine didn't!

Jim

[nigel_b]

From everything I've read the 40D comes out as an excellent camera, but if you buy it and still arent happy with the shots where do you go then?

Ask yourself how experienced you really are. With experience comes judgement.

It would be interesting to try and assess what percentage contribution each of these make to the final image:

Experience
Lens
Body
Luck

Any other characteristics anyone wants to add?

I'd go

Experience 70%
Lens 20%
Body 3%
Luck 7%

[Jim Ford]

I'd agree with the lens and body figures.

Jim

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Ah, but did you have an instant return mirror on yours - mine didn't!

Jim

Sorry I'm a late with this one Jim I've been trying to revive my lost memory cells, failed though. I simply can't remember!

[spillergent]

hello got this shot on my canon 300d of a sparrow in flight it just takes practies,patiance,luck and knowlage

[John D]

Originally Posted by spillergent

hello got this shot on my canon 300d of a sparrow in flight it just takes practies,patiance,luck and knowlage

I agree but suggest you have a look at the use of 'exposure compensation' particularly with birds in flight in nice blue skyes.

John D

Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[spillergent]

thank you john d for your advice how ever i am aware there is not enough exposer for this was intended as i was after the impact of a sillowet the point of me posting it on here was to demanstrate the wings are not blured as was the problem with alex 300d she thought it was the camera not right

[agooday]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Aperture is another potential problem with this lens. It does get soft fully open. I like the F8 to F14 bracket, and F11 is the best compromise. Use the Av setting and adjust your ISO to give a suitable shutter speed.

Absolutely agree - Would add that 40D and Sigma150-500 might be a better combination than 50D or 7D and Sigma as might be more forgiving, per "The Canon 50D Milestone" (Canon 50D Milestone) and a trawl around flickr for pics from the various combinations.

But I'd also agree that no need for megapixels to get a good shot. I was with an inexperienced photographer recently who managed to get a much better picture of a buzzard in a tree using a non stablised 70-300mm and Nikon D70 (6Mpix?) verses my Sigma 150-500 and canon 50D.

For Sigma, I'd say don't use F6.3 if the subject is much the same colour (swans, flamingos). Generally, 1/500 or better handheld and F8 or more.