Best Bird Camera?

[cadams]

I have a little extra moola I would like to get rid of and was thinking about getting a better birding camera. I have the 40D and 5D now and would likely be selling the 40D after the upgrade.

I want to know from all the seasoned birders on here. Here were my initial thoughts.

1d III
1D IIn
50D

[The_Camera_Poser]

I'm not a seasoned birder, but I'd think the 1D's would beat the 50D hands down.

[gasrocks]

50D, I have 2 of them. Before I had 2 40Ds and a MK III. The 40D was just about as good in the AF department and a lot more pixels (when considering 1.6x vs 1.3x) than the MK III.

[Michael_Lambert]

I love the 1D M3 the faster FPS is great for getting the bird action shots, You do lose alittle reach going from the 1.6 down to a 1.3 but its not too bad.

[gymell]

1DIII, hands down!!!

[sf1]

1. A properly focusing 1D Mark III
2. Mark II N
3. 50D

In that order.

[cadams]

1. A properly focusing 1D Mark III
2. Mark II N
3. 50D

In that order.

That's kinda why i had them in that order in the original post. I think I'll try and get a 1dIII now and a 5dII when that is out. I think those will make a nice pair.

[Bubble]

50D since it is a 1.6x crop body vs 1.3 for mark III

However, you can do more with Mark III in other area such as sport. So depend on your budget. :)

[cadams]

Yeah I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger for a $4000 camera. I find a hard time seeing the value in that. My 40D is pretty good and this camera would have to be pretty amazing to demand a $3k premium.

[ebann]

I know you'll hate me for this but... go Nikon... D300 (1.5x) @ $1486 + power booster (8 FPS) @ $240 = 8 FPS, weather-sealed, and 51 AF points...

[cadams]

I've looked at some nikon stuff but been reluctant to give it a try. I've never shot a nikon camera so I'd really like to own and use one for a while before selling all my lenses and cameras. Seems like it would be a lot of work and I would need to see some serious benefit from it.

[Bubble]

I've looked at some nikon stuff but been reluctant to give it a try. I've never shot a nikon camera so I'd really like to own and use one for a while before selling all my lenses and cameras. Seems like it would be a lot of work and I would need to see some serious benefit from it.

Nikon is good until it hits the long lens. The price for 400/500/600 is just rediculous. I paid $8400 for nikon 400VR. I could use the same amount to get 500IS and 400IS

[Choccy]

I love the 1D M3 the faster FPS is great for getting the bird action shots, You do lose alittle reach going from the 1.6 down to a 1.3 but its not too bad.

Can you explain to me how you lose reach. I don't understand this too well. I thought if you had a 400mm lens it had the same reach but with a larger crop in FF.

My understanding was that a FF picture will be the same magnification as a 1.3 and a 1.6 but with a lot larger area covered than the crops.

Choccy...

[hollis_f]

My understanding was that a FF picture will be the same magnification as a 1.3 and a 1.6 but with a lot larger area covered than the crops.
Shoot a bird with both cameras and print the resulting images at the same physical size. The bird in the 1.6 image will be larger than the bird in the 1.3 image.

Of course, you could just crop the 1.3 image and print that.

Many people like to look at the pixel density, working on the theory that, if you maximise pixel density then you maximise the PPB (pixels per bird).

[Rich S]

I am thinking of both 40D or 50D, If I went 40D I could get a 400 f/5.6L too. Is the 50D that much better? Rich.......

[cadams]

From people I've heard the 40D is a better birding camera. It has less noise therefore allows more flexibility in cropping which is very important in birding. Those little buggers never fill the frame. It's what I'm using now and am happy with it.

Might hold off to see what they can come up with for a 1d mark IV

[Rich S]

I have the 5D, had a 30D, it seemed noisy to me vs the 5D. I am looking for something in-between....Rich

[cadams]

I've got the 5D as well and frankly everything will look noisy compared to that camera. To date it is one of the best noise handling cameras. I think the 40D is a nice middle ground, and the 1D mark III is seemingly better and on par with the 5D, although at a premium price.

Just make sure you can get a 1D III that doesnt have focus issues, that will be crucial for birds.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

I've got a great idea, give me the money, point out which birds you want photographed, I'll take as many pictures as you can handle and we both win:lol:

[cadams]

I've got a great idea, give me the money, point out which birds you want photographed, I'll take as many pictures as you can handle and we both win:lol:

Done

[AzzKicker]

The 40D was just about as good in the AF department and a lot more pixels (when considering 1.6x vs 1.3x) than the MK III.

You must be on crack.

[Rich S]

This was a looooong ways away... Canon 50D(bought one) 300mm f/4L IS 1/500 sec f/5 ISO 160...... Great Blue Heronhttp://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc150/blackies_owner/IMG_7160_edited-3copy.jpg

[highcountry]

I am thinking of both 40D or 50D, If I went 40D I could get a 400 f/5.6L too. Is the 50D that much better? Rich.......

I would go the same way, Rich. The 50d is a nice camera but putting the 400mm f5.6 in front of a 40d makes a lot of sense.

[James M]

Some of these replies are amazing, the 40D has just as good AF and less noise than a 1D :lol:

[cadams]

Some of these replies are amazing, the 40D has just as good AF and less noise than a 1D :lol:
Better than a 1D IIn certainly but the 1D III has the lead on noise I think. I would agree that the 40D does pretty good in the AF dept though.

[ebann]

As the header says... BEST is 1D Mark III.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK is 40D/50D or 1D2[n]

[highcountry]

Nikon is good until it hits the long lens. The price for 400/500/600 is just rediculous. I paid $8400 for nikon 400VR. I could use the same amount to get 500IS and 400IS

That is one reason that switched from Nikon to Canon. Nikon's long lenses are great but too expensive. I wanted a 500mm but couldn't see paying a $2K plus premium for Nikon so I sold my Nikon kit and switched to Canon. And never looked back.:D

[Rich S]

I have been using my new 50D and getting great results. this is from yesterday. Red -Tailed Hawk Canon 50D 300mm f/4L IS 1/2000 sec f/5.6 ISO 320 75ft+ away......http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc150/blackies_owner/IMG_8835_edited-2copy.jpg

[chauncey]

If your talking nothing but pixels on target, no dslr beats a high MP 1.6 crop body (assuming good AF characteristics.

[Jim Neiger]

I've used all of the cameras mentioned. I shoot birds full time. IMO, the 1D3 is easily the best choice for birds.

[aligater]

What puts the 1D3 at number one Jim ?

[ebann]

What puts the 1D3 at number one Jim ?

The same reason why you also own a 1D3 ;)

[aligater]

I bought one once the pros had had a play with it, im just curious as to why Jim opted for the 1D3, im sure he had a choice of a Canon or a Noink to give the best for Birding title to.

[Jim Neiger]

What puts the 1D3 at number one Jim ?

It's the best combination of features that work well for birds, particularly birds in action. Some of the key features are: AF Ability, image quality, low light capability, frame rate, buffer size, reliability, durability, etc.

[hollis_f]

It's the best combination of features that work well for birds, particularly birds in action. Some of the key features are: AF Ability, image quality, low light capability, frame rate, buffer size, reliability, durability, etc.
Yup, that seems to be a fairly comprehensive list of the features that make me seriously think about buying a MkIII. Just waiting to see if a MkIV is round the corner.

[cadams]

It's the best combination of features that work well for birds, particularly birds in action. Some of the key features are: AF Ability, image quality, low light capability, frame rate, buffer size, reliability, durability, etc.

Thanks for the suggestion Jim. I'm actually going to be in the Everglades this next weekend. Any suggestions?

[sanjeedbd]

Hi all. Can anyone show me a link wherein pictures shot with Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens mounted on a Canon EOS 450D can be viewed? Thanks in advance.

[cadams]

http://www.ccaphotos.com/gallery/Birds/index.html
you can check through here. some of the older photos are with the XTi and a 400mm 5.6

[sanjeedbd]

http://www.ccaphotos.com/gallery/Birds/index.html
you can check through here. some of the older photos are with the XTi and a 400mm 5.6

Thnx cadams. I'll check.

[Natural Images]

Why are you not considering the 7D? The 1.6x (vs the 1.3 of the 1D3) crop sensor, 18 mps, and the new redesigned AF system and 8 fps would make it "the best" camera for birds both stationary and in-flight, would it not? And I have never used one personally but it is supposed to stack up quite well against the 1d mark series.

The 7D has basically the same (or improved) features everyone is always looking at in the 1D Mark series, excellent AF design, excellent IQ, excellent low light performance, frame rate (8 fps), buffer size, reliability, and durability.

You already have the Canon 1D Mark II and the Canon 40D, so get the 7D have the 40D as a backup and the 1d Mark II if you ever want to shoot FF. Just my 0.02.

[ebann]

I'd say the 7D now gets the nod...

[ClarkinBabler]

why not the 7d?

[1234sakura]

Why are you not considering the 7D? The 1.6x (vs the 1.3 of the 1D3) crop sensor, 18 mps, and the new redesigned AF system and 8 fps would make it "the best" camera for birds both stationary and in-flight, would it not? And I have never used one personally but it is supposed to stack up quite well against the 1d mark series.

The 7D has basically the same (or improved) features everyone is always looking at in the 1D Mark series, excellent AF design, excellent IQ, excellent low light performance, frame rate (8 fps), buffer size, reliability, and durability.

You already have the Canon 1D Mark II and the Canon 40D, so get the 7D have the 40D as a backup and the 1d Mark II if you ever want to shoot FF. Just my 0.02.

Because the OP doesn't have a time machine to buy a 7D in 2008. :lol:

[LordBrian]

Because the OP doesn't have a time machine to buy a 7D in 2008. :lol:

I guess that's why he didn't choose the 1D Mk4 or to be really funny the 8D or the 1DMk5....:p

[canonnoob]

Why are you not considering the 7D? The 1.6x (vs the 1.3 of the 1D3) crop sensor, 18 mps, and the new redesigned AF system and 8 fps would make it "the best" camera for birds both stationary and in-flight, would it not? And I have never used one personally but it is supposed to stack up quite well against the 1d mark series.

The 7D has basically the same (or improved) features everyone is always looking at in the 1D Mark series, excellent AF design, excellent IQ, excellent low light performance, frame rate (8 fps), buffer size, reliability, and durability.

You already have the Canon 1D Mark II and the Canon 40D, so get the 7D have the 40D as a backup and the 1d Mark II if you ever want to shoot FF. Just my 0.02. except that the 1dII is not FF... its a 1.3x... plus this thread started out in 2008.. id like to see him get a 7d then...