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[speyghillie]

Hi Dragonspeed,
Great Pictures as always, i have a question if you don't mind, i have been looking at the stunning bird Photography you have and if you could give me some detail of where you take these great pictures, and what lens required ect,
I spend a fair bit of time in BC teaching Speycasting and fishing around the mainland and Island and would like to do some Bird photography if i get back later this year.
Is there someone who guides photographers in that area ?
Thanks Gordon.

[DragonSpeed]

Thanks,

I take the majority of my bird photos in 3 places:

Burnaby Lake (Piper Spit)
Reifel Bird Sanctuary
My Back balcony near the bird feeder

One of things you learn VERY quickly in shooting birds is that you'll never be able to afford the length of lens that you WANT, so you'll have to settle for what you can afford.  I started shooting with the 100-300 from Canon, but could finally pick up the 100-400.  That has been my go-to lens for wildlife since then.  I yearn for the 500 F4 or 600 F4, but budget stops that

As far as guiding... not so much.  Sometimes you go out with a fellow photographer and shoot together for company, but most times, it's a solo endeavour.  Birds aren't so fond of chatty people.. more so than fish.

[speyghillie]

Hi Dragonspeed,
Thanks for the info, here in the UK wildlife photography is big business, with lots of Photography guides all over the country.
Thanks Gordon.

[DragonSpeed]

Hi Dragonspeed,
Thanks for the info, here in the UK wildlife photography is big business, with lots of Photography guides all over the country.
Thanks Gordon.

I'm guessnig that there's probably some sort of market/business for it here too, I just have never looked into it.   I know that to go see the grizzlies feasting on salmon in Alaska, for example, that it's wise to go with a guide... someone to hold the shotgun while you hold the camera to your eye

[speyghillie]

Hi dragonspeed,
To go out with a professional wildlife Photographer here is $250.00 CAD a day, and that really just for the morning, wildlife groups pay way more for different species.  the pictures you have are  better than they ever get.
Cheers Gordon.

[gmachine19]

If you want to take pics of eagles, I suggest you go to Barnet Marine Park. They are used to humans being around them so you could get away with a 300mm.

@Dragonspeed: Those are pretty fancy lens man. I know how you feel when your budget stops at a certain point. I had to pick the 70mm-300mm Nikkor since it's pretty cheap for a student hahaha!

[Damien]

I thought I would bump this as I am in the market for an SLR and have no idea where to start.

I don't know how serious I am going to get, but I don't want to find myself disappointed, quickly.  I understand that the lenses are usually more important than the body itself.  Will a Nikon 3100 or 5100 do me well for years to come?  I have about a grand to spend to get me going.

Going from a point and shoot history to making the jump to SLR has been daunting.  Soooo many opions on where to go.

[DragonSpeed]

I thought I would bump this as I am in the market for an SLR and have no idea where to start.

I don't know how serious I am going to get, but I don't want to find myself disappointed, quickly.  I understand that the lenses are usually more important than the body itself.  Will a Nikon 3100 or 5100 do me well for years to come?  I have about a grand to spend to get me going.

Going from a point and shoot history to making the jump to SLR has been daunting.  Soooo many opions on where to go.

Consider buying a used body (last year's model) and spend more of your cash on glass.  No matter, at $1000, you'll be replacing both your glass AND your body as you get better and crave faster/bigger/better.

[Damien]

It seems like used pop up on craigslist etc with only about $100-$200 in savings.  I have been shopping around a bit and I feel more inclined to buy a new previous year's model that has been discounted.  The gap lessens and I still have piece of mind.

D3100's I see on Craigslist are $400-$450, new it is $529.  The newest 3200 model jumps way up to $750 new.

And if I pick up a used D3000 for $300-$350, it doesn't shoot HD video.

So many decisions and considerations.

[Damien]

Just bought a 5100, now to figure out how to get the most out of it.

[DragonSpeed]

Just bought a 5100, now to figure out how to get the most out of it.

Big Lens

[Damien]

Hey Dragon, I'm heading to Cuba and will be hitting the Zapata National Park with a guide and I am excited!

I have only a basic camera (as noted above) with a simple 18-55 Nikkor lens.

What do you think would be the next logical lens to buy?

[DragonSpeed]

Hey Dragon, I'm heading to Cuba and will be hitting the Zapata National Park with a guide and I am excited!

I have only a basic camera (as noted above) with a simple 18-55 Nikkor lens.

What do you think would be the next logical lens to buy?

I'm not sure what the target is when you're there.  Animals/Birds?  Get a zoom.  The longer the better.  People? Something that reaches into the 100 or so range is nice for shooting people without them feeling you're in their face.  Landscape?  Something in the 15-35 range that handles low light.

When are you going?

[Damien]

Going in three weeks.  A lens for shooting birds, as best we can anyways.

We have an 18/55 and a 55-200 lens.

[DragonSpeed]

Going in three weeks.  A lens for shooting birds, as best we can anyways.

We have an 18/55 and a 55-200 lens.

As big (and wide open) as you can afford to buy, and able to carry.