p.1 #1 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
An old friend of mine, keen ornithologist, is looking to get into taking pictures of birds. Looking to spend around $1,000 to $1,500 on a used starter body and lens. As a sports photographer with a lot of ridiculously expensive Sony gear I'm not really qualified to give advice at this level. Could anyone give some advice on what direction he might go in.
He's apparently been looking at a good condition OM1 with a 100-400 f5.6-f6.3 for around $1,500 from mpb and I couldn't help but point out that golden / blue hours would be a struggle not to mention the small aperture for background separation, high ISO, lack of cropping re micro 4 3rds etc.
p.1 #2 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
Shallow DOF and background separation is not what an ornitologist need. Cropping and noise is different matters there, and is not much to do with except ai upscale and nr afterwards.
There is a couple of 100-400s (as well as more expensinve 150-400 TC) panaleicas and zuikos. Usually, 'native' (i.e. panaleica on lumix body or zuiko on om body) will have better 'combined IS'.
p.1 #4 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
I think the OM1 and 100-400 makes sense. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over ISO with denoise tools what they are. But it's bird tracking is really good and that might be more important than the m43 drawbacks. Especially for a newbie, getting sharp images might be the more important piece.
Without reading too much into it, 'old friend' could mean 72 years old, or 35 years old and you went to kindergarten with him. If the former, the lighter kit might be appealing to him. And by buying used he won't lose too much if he decides to move to another system.
p.1 #6 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
Purdisc wrote:
An old friend of mine, keen ornithologist, is looking to get into taking pictures of birds. Looking to spend around $1,000 to $1,500 on a used starter body and lens. As a sports photographer with a lot of ridiculously expensive Sony gear I'm not really qualified to give advice at this level. Could anyone give some advice on what direction he might go in.
He's apparently been looking at a good condition OM1 with a 100-400 f5.6-f6.3 for around $1,500 from mpb and I couldn't help but point out that golden / blue hours would be a struggle not to mention the small aperture for background separation, high ISO, lack of cropping re micro 4 3rds etc.
I think that’s a viable option. It isn’t a _perfect_ option, but for $1500 it isn’t bad.
With a long focal length like that, even f/5.6 and f/6.3 will provide fairly minimal DOF.
As to the high ISO and cropping potential, it is possible that an APS-C camera might improve things a little bit. On the other hand, I have a friend who uses a Oly MFT system for birds and he gets some beautiful shots.
p.1 #8 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
I just priced a Sony A7R III + Sigma 100-400mm (both rated Excellent) at MPB for $2,028 - obviously a little bit over his top budget but he'd be getting some great gear that should keep him happy for a long time.
p.1 #9 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
Some really good advice there. Thank you. I can only go by my own journey into photography which was and is led by wanting to get to the “next level”, whatever that might be. 400mm f2.8 in my case or a 100-300 f2.8 if Sony ever gets round to it 🤣.
Although I think the OM he’s thinking of buying will be a good starter I like the idea of guiding him towards a Sony + Sigma combo.
p.1 #10 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
Used Nikon F mount gear is selling for a song these days. A used D850 with a 200-500 will be slightly over that price. A D810 will easily keep them within budget.
p.1 #11 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
With the limited budget best to buy a "bridge" camera like the Nikon Coolpix 1100 that sells for $1146 at BH Photo. It has an integrated 24-3000mm lens. Anything else will cost more than double that amount.
p.1 #12 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
Make it a d500 and they’re off to the races.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Used Nikon F mount gear is selling for a song these days. A used D850 with a 200-500 will be slightly over that price. A D810 will easily keep them within budget.
p.1 #13 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
I would not suggest that old 5lb., 10.5" long lens and D850. The bulk and weigth are not good for long days in the field. And the combo won't be less than $2K (much less $1K) unless bad condition or seller. There are better budget options with APS-C cameras and Sigma or Tamron tele-zooms.
p.1 #14 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
If the weight/size of a D500 and 200-500 is okay with him and that can be had within budget (I haven’t checked but sounds like it might from previous posts) then that is a killer bird photography combo.
p.1 #15 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
I’m late to the party here, but:
If he has no experience shooting long lenses, then the learning curve is going to be rough. He might do better going compact with a Nikon Z-50ii and the kit 50-250. He can add bigger glass (lots of options, both native Z and F) when/if he develops some skill with a lightweight setup.
p.1 #18 · asking for a friend...low budget starter kit for bird photography
EB-1 wrote:
And you are not risking an $8K 150-400 going into the ocean.
EBH
Exactly! I don't especially love the 100-400 but it gets the job done. If I capsize it wouldn't totally freak me out or necessarily make me file an insurance claim. The 150-400 Pro is an amazing lens but I can't bring myself to kayak with it.
I'm not the world's greatest kayaker so I just do not trust myself with it on the water.
