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Author Topic: Bird photography  (Read 33919 times)

Offline PND

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Bird photography
« on: July 21, 2012, 08:54:32 pm »
Following on from my last thread, I recently bought a secondhand Canon EOS 500D off a work colleague.  I have since been out and about learning how to use it!  It is the first SLR I have ever owned so it's all new to me at the moment.

Here are some of my recent pics..















As you can see from the last photo of the kingfisher, I have quickly realised that I could do did with a bigger, better, longer lens! I knew when I bought it that the 75-300 kit lens was OK for starters, but wasn't great.  It is the non-IS version.  I have been looking at the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.  Anyone got experience of it?  Any other recommendations?  Up to £800-£900 to spend on secondhand..  It's going to be for wildlife and bird photography as I am really enjoying it.

Cheers!

Paul.

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2012, 09:00:01 pm »
EXCELLENT!!! I shamefully admit to loving photographing the odd bird too  :happy2:

The 100-400mm is what I've got and its mega. Perfect on a crop sensor camera as you effectively end up with a 640mm lens  :drool: :drool: Its great for wildlife, great for Motorsport.... EPIC lens!

You were lucky to see a Kingfisher too, we also saw one today but too far to photgraph.

Sorry... ive just cost you 1000 pounds!  :grin: :grin:

Rich

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2012, 09:01:46 pm »
Brilliant shots!!!

some of the best wildlife I've seen on here  :happy2:

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2012, 09:04:04 pm »
I put up a thread on the mk4 forum, entitled  "Show us your bird"  :signLOL:

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/250842.aspx

Its got 24,000 views.... and I cannot think why!   :innocent:

Offline PND

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2012, 09:06:13 pm »
EXCELLENT!!! I shamefully admit to loving photographing the odd bird too  :happy2:

The 100-400mm is what I've got and its mega. Perfect on a crop sensor camera as you effectively end up with a 640mm lens  :drool: :drool: Its great for wildlife, great for Motorsport.... EPIC lens!

You were lucky to see a Kingfisher too, we also saw one today but too far to photgraph.

Sorry... ive just cost you 1000 pounds!  :grin: :grin:

Rich

Hi Rich

Oh no, that's bad news... another hit due on my bank balance!

Is there anything to look out for when buying secondhand, apart from the obvious of no scratches, etc?  Any recommended places to buy from, or places to avoid?

Thanks for the advice.

Paul.

Brilliant shots!!!

some of the best wildlife I've seen on here  :happy2:

Thanks for that Steve.  I've surprised myself!  Just wish I'd started 20 years ago!

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2012, 09:10:04 pm »
My advice is not to buy a secondhand on unless you know 100% of what life it has had. They are a very very complicated push pull lens and can go wrong if not looked after. (mine needs servicing because its had a lot of hammer)

Drop the extra on a new one... you will not regret it. If you do regret it ill give you the difference back  :grin:

Offline PND

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2012, 09:19:41 pm »
My advice is not to buy a secondhand on unless you know 100% of what life it has had. They are a very very complicated push pull lens and can go wrong if not looked after. (mine needs servicing because its had a lot of hammer)

Drop the extra on a new one... you will not regret it. If you do regret it ill give you the difference back  :grin:

I know what you mean.. it's the same as everything else, you get what you pay for. 

I'd better have a look in my garage and see what I can find to sell..  :grin:

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2012, 09:22:25 pm »
 :happy2:

Offline Hedge

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2012, 09:40:32 pm »
I think I would be happy buying from a reputable dealer if it came with some form of warranty.

My understanding is that these lenses can suffer from dust ingress if you are wanting to watch out for something.

You could always factor a service into the price if you are haggling.  :smiley:

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2012, 09:40:54 pm »
I also visit a Lotus forum believe it or not, and in it's photography section, this guy started posting a couple of pics of a kingfisher which were superb, so i asked him for a link to his flickr album.
Well as uncle knobhead would say, " fook my tall hat"  check some of these out.  :notworthy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairyduck/7545125940/in/photostream/lightbox/

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2012, 09:41:46 pm »

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2012, 09:44:12 pm »
I also visit a Lotus forum believe it or not, and in it's photography section, this guy started posting a couple of pics of a kingfisher which were superb, so i asked him for a link to his flickr album.
Well as uncle knobhead would say, " fook my tall hat"  check some of these out.  :notworthy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairyduck/7545125940/in/photostream/lightbox/

Stunning.....

Offline PND

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2012, 09:57:08 pm »
I think I would be happy buying from a reputable dealer if it came with some form of warranty.

My understanding is that these lenses can suffer from dust ingress if you are wanting to watch out for something.

You could always factor a service into the price if you are haggling.  :smiley:

Thanks for the good advice.  :happy2:

I also visit a Lotus forum believe it or not, and in it's photography section, this guy started posting a couple of pics of a kingfisher which were superb, so i asked him for a link to his flickr album.
Well as uncle knobhead would say, " fook my tall hat"  check some of these out.  :notworthy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hairyduck/7545125940/in/photostream/lightbox/

 :congrats: :notworthy:

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/used-lenses/

2 to choose from there.  :happy2:

Oooh, it's so tempting to click on the "Buy Now" button!!  Why can't I start a hobby that is cheap?  :laugh:

Offline rich83

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2012, 12:18:36 am »
I had forgotten about this....  :signLOL:


Offline PND

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Re: Bird photography
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2012, 08:17:53 am »
 :signLOL:

Not bought one yet, but it's only a matter of time..