Tips for bird photography please.

DoubleCheese · 3 Apr 2010 at 17:23

I've got a couple of good birding opportunities this year and want to make the most of them. First up is a trip to Pembrokeshire and Skomer Island in a few weeks then a day at an Owl sanctuary.

Skomer island will most likely be fast flying seabirds (puffins etc) and perhaps some resting and nesting. I've never been there before so don't know what to expect or whether my lenses will be any good and should I rent one for the trip.

Kit is: Nikon D200 and 70-300mmVR, 18-200VR, Sigma 10-20mm and nifty fifty. I'm not sure the 70-300 will have the range or speed and was considering renting something with more reach.

Anyone been there and can advise?

I'm hoping to get decent shots with what I've got at the Own Sanctuary as I expect we can get close to the birds.

Anyone done anything like this and have some useful advice to impart?

bigredshark · 3 Apr 2010 at 17:42

I'm no expert at all but I'd guess for really good results you'll want at least a 400mm, given the 70-300 is too slow to use with a TC really you'd be looking at hiring a 400mm prime (or longer still) or the 200-400 zoom.

The older AF system on the D200 won't help either but not much you can do about that so don't worry too much.

I know there are a few guys on here who're very into this and get decent results so I'm sure they'll be able to offer some decent advice.

And obviously, you'll need a tripod, a solid one too if you're planning on hiring one of the bigger lenses...

p0ss3s3d · 3 Apr 2010 at 17:51

bigredshark said:
I'm no expert at all but I'd guess for really good results you'll want at least a 400mm, given the 70-300 is too slow to use with a TC really you'd be looking at hiring a 400mm prime (or longer still) or the 200-400 zoom.

The older AF system on the D200 won't help either but not much you can do about that so don't worry too much.

I know there are a few guys on here who're very into this and get decent results so I'm sure they'll be able to offer some decent advice.

And obviously, you'll need a tripod, a solid one too if you're planning on hiring one of the bigger lenses...

I'm no bird photographer, but, I really wouldn't want to be carting a huge tripod around with me. Take a monopod.

Monopods are lighter, easier to carry, faster and allow you just to leave a great big lens attached to you camera while you walk without putting it in your backpack, you just pop it on your shoulder (be sure to get a nice soft shoulder pad too). Especially since, I'm pretty sure on Skomer you won't be needing to wait for ages to spot a bird.

If it was me I'd take a long but pretty lightweight lens like a 300mm f/2.8 and a couple of TC's. Then take your wide-angle and something in the middle (like your 18-200mm).

bigredshark · 3 Apr 2010 at 18:11

I can see the logic of a monopod, my thoughts were I think you need longer than a 300mm for birds (even on a crop body) and aside from the 600mm monster, none of the longer Nikon primes have VR so you need to shoot from something steady to get sharp results. Personally I wouldn't like to be without a tripod as I just don't know I could decent results without - maybe you could but it's a bit sticky leaving it to the day to find out...

Troop · 3 Apr 2010 at 20:02

ALL of the long, modern Nikon primes have VR

bigredshark · 3 Apr 2010 at 20:19

Troop said:
ALL of the long, modern Nikon primes have VR

Only the very latest generation do, and there's no guarantee you'll be able to hire those, there are perfectly functional, recent 400, 500 and 600mm AF-S lenses without VR. The 600mm f4 with VR has been out a while as memory serves but the 400 and 500mm VR lenses are more recent I believe.

DoubleCheese · 4 Apr 2010 at 11:21

Sorry forgot to mention that I have a sturdy tripod and ball head. Not sure it'll cope with a whopping lens on it, but its plenty enough for what I've got.