Testing the 550D on BIFs

[Toto Gamboa]

Got my new 550D when I went up to the Cordilleras and its first bird shot was a Mountain Shrike on a wrong setting ;D. Never used it that much other than shoot the landscapes of the Mountain Province. I intend to use it as a 2nd body whenever I am out there in the field. I can't afford anymore to miss those beautiful landscapes I see during birding sorties.

Last Saturday, I got it tested on BIFs in Candaba. After two birds, I switch back to 50D where i feel more comfortable. Here is a short observation which might help anyone if they are considering a 550D.

My CONS: It is quite too small for me. Controls are very different (no dial) so I have a hard time adjusting everytime I switch bodies. FPS is less than 4.

My PROS: Noise seem similar to my 50D so I got no problem with that. AF is unlike that of my 50D. It doesnt disengage much from the subject once it acquires it. I love the LCD. It's now a real 3:2 LCD. Metering seems to be better than my 50D but I still have to test it somemore. As for the Video, best video device I ever had. I havent played much video on it though.

Here are my BIFs.


Egret, Candaba
Canon 550D, EF 400mm f5.6L, Manfrotto 755XB/Gimbal
Shot @ f5.6, 1/2500", ISO100, 50% pixels wasted


Whiskered Tern, Candaba
Canon 550D, EF 400mm f5.6L, Manfrotto 755XB/Gimbal
Shot @ f5.6, 1/1000", ISO100, 60% pixels wasted

I only got two birds for now. I guess I still need to go out with the 550D as my main cam.

[gabriel buluran]

Wow! These are great BIFs. Tons of details on the first! The camera in good hands is a powerful tool!

Congrats with the acquisitions (camera and BIFs).

[Romy Ocon]

Looks like a nice performing birding camera, Toto!

[Mark Itol]

Looks like it's very capable, Toto. Good detail on the egret.

[Bob Kaufman]

Some more time with the 550D and I'm sure you'll turn many more photos like the Egret shot..very detailed!

[Ariel Matias]

These shots do not looked like as a "test picture"...Certainly more than that. Very well taken!

[Ely Teehankee]

Those are good shots. You have to use the camera more to get really acquainted with it. Than you can decide which one fits you best. Well done Toto. Mabuhay.

[Bobby Kintanar]

Hey, looks like the 550D is a nice value-for-money camera after all. Great shots!:-)

[Toto Gamboa]

Thanks Gabs, Mastah, Mark, Sir Bob, Ariel, Sir Ely and Bobby. I am quite happy with the 550D. I have to spend time with it this weekend. Hopefully it gives me better quality pics than my current 50D.

To add, my 400mm f5.6 seem calibrated than with my 50D which I have set it at +8 ever since. Since there is no micro adjustment in 550D, the only conclusion I can arrive is that, all this time I got a faulty 50D? Havent tested my lens on other bodies though.