Newbie here, Help Needed!!!

[wirinhar]

Dear All,

I have started shooting birds on my apt's backyard since I get AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF ED (TC-14EII and TC-17EII) 2 months ago.

I found the smallest bird (Olive backed Sunbird) and the biggest bird (Spotted Dove) till 2 days ago, I spotted a barn owl (more or less 20 feet above the ground) and I took many pictures with my 70-200mm lens cause it is a big bird and short distance. I checked it out yesterday and the male barn owl was not there anymore.

Till last week I was thinking to get 600mm f/4 for birding outside my Apt compound and I need your advice.

I have never thought in my life that I will get one of this expensive glass but I think I will .

The questions are:

1. Which brand to go for 600mm f/4??? Nikon or Canon???
2. Which brand that is highly percentage used for birding??? Nikon or Canon???

At the moment I am having Nikon D700 and I don't mind to get Canon 5 D Mark II (as I was told this Canon is at par with my D700).

But I am confused which brand to go for the best telephoto gear???

Most of local retailers (Penang Island-Malaysia) are Pro Nikon and just for your information that Canon is much more expensive than Nikon in this area.

I do hope my thread will not generate any flames between Nikon and Canon Owners.

I am here to learn and I hope you all don't mind if I am starting to ask many questions in my very 1st post.

I thank you all in advance!!!

Regards,
WW
Greeting from Penang-Malaysia

[Bob Kaufman]

If you already have a Nikon body, then I would suggest go for the Nikon lens.

It's not really a question of which camera is better, what is important is the person behind it and his skill, talent, know-how and patience.

[ppaaoolloo]

As you have a Nikon body + lens already I would go with the Nikon 600/4 VR lens. Though you may be able to attach a Canon lens to a Nikon body and vice versa you lose autofocus and that is very important when taking wild life photos.

I would advice against switching seeming the negligible advantages and the high cost. Then again it's your money and not to mention Nikon doesn't have a AF VR lens beyond 600mm.

[Romy Ocon]

Welcome to PBPF! This is probably the most peaceful photo forum in the internet as far as brand loyalty is concerned. It should interest you to know that the first two posters and I are Canonites ;D


Both Canon and Nikons systems are state-of-the-art, and you can't go wrong choosing either one. I'd put more emphasis on local service/pricing conditions for either brand. In your case, considering too that you have Nikon equipment already, I'd go Nikon probably.

[wirinhar]

Mar 26, 2009 17:37:51 GMT Bob Kaufman said:

If you already have a Nikon body, then I would suggest go for the Nikon lens.

It's not really a question of which camera is better, what is important is the person behind it and his skill, talent, know-how and patience.

Hi Bob,

I am satisfied with I have at the moment and I have been browsing and tried to learn more how to be a good pilot and of course I am just a kindergarten on the bird photography.

I do have patience but hope to learn "know-how" gradually and hope to built up the skill either by reading from this forum or trial and error .

I just love to see Bird in Flight/in Action and I found most of those beautiful pictures from Canon owners with superb fine quality and of course that will always come with the 3 things you mentioned before .

Anyway, thanks for the information and I appreciate alot!!!

Regards,
WW

[wirinhar]

Mar 26, 2009 17:40:13 GMT @ppaaoolloo said:

As you have a Nikon body + lens already I would go with the Nikon 600/4 VR lens. Though you may be able to attach a Canon lens to a Nikon body and vice versa you lose autofocus and that is very important when taking wild life photos.

I would advice against switching seeming the advantages and the cost high. Then again it's your money and not to mention Nikon doesn't have a AF VR lens beyond 600mm.

Hi Ppaaoolloo,

I am not switching from nikon to Canon at all but I was just thinking to add a 600mm f/4 glass.

Of course seeing the young man with Canon + 500mm f/4 on U Tube brought me here

Thanks for the input!!!

Regards,
WW

[wirinhar]

Mar 27, 2009 1:28:16 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Welcome to PBPF! This is probably the most peaceful photo forum in the internet as far as brand loyalty is concerned. It should interest you to know that the first two posters and I are Canonites ;D


Both Canon and Nikons systems are state-of-the-art, and you can't go wrong choosing either one. I'd put more emphasis on local service/pricing conditions for either brand. In your case, considering too that you have Nikon equipment already, I'd go Nikon probably.

Hi Romy,

Thanks for information.

Regards,
WW

[Romy Ocon]

Mar 27, 2009 2:57:38 GMT wirinhar said:

Of course seeing the young man with Canon + 500mm f/4 on U Tube brought me here

You must have seen the video of one of our younger members shooting BIFs. ;D


Here's his last post in the forum, he had to concentrate on his studies first. But since it's now their summer break, he'll be shooting BIFs at Candaba wetlands in the next weeks.


www.birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=photo&thread=1566&page=1#14074

[wirinhar]

Mar 27, 2009 3:16:36 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Mar 27, 2009 2:57:38 GMT wirinhar said:

Of course seeing the young man with Canon + 500mm f/4 on U Tube brought me here

You must have seen the video of one of our younger members shooting BIFs. ;D


Here's his last post in the forum, he had to concentrate on his studies first. But since it's now their summer break, he'll be shooting BIFs at Candaba wetlands in the next weeks.


www.birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=photo&thread=1566&page=1#14074

YEAP..........., He is a superb young man .

Cause of watching is video on u tube and I am here .

Regards,
WW