First bird post!

I've been browsing in here for a while, admiring everyone's work, but until I invest in a longer lens haven't had anything to contribute... so while I save, I thought I'd set the camera up on the tripod to try and capture some of the visitors to my bird table with my cheapo chinese knock off remote.

I still need to find the best position for it, and I know they're nothing exotic, but here's my first attempt (comments and lens recommendations welcome)...

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This may be your first post, but I get the feeling that you've been doing this for a while. These are great captures. Especially the first.

Agree with Joe. Your shots are tack sharp! Beautiful captures.

Yes a great set like the above posters said.

I agree with the above your abilities shine. I look forward to more of your posts and contributions to the forum. Welcome, you're off to a great start.

makes me wonder why im thinking of getting a 800f5.6isL -THESE are all very nice shots .
Rob.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments!

Any suggestions for a good first lens? How would the Canon 70-300 IS USM fare for taking pics of birds?

Nice set Justin, if you are going for a zoom the 70-300 might be a little short, a lot of people opt for for the Canon 100 - 400 mm or if you go down the prime route the Canon 400 f5.6 is a good choice, which ever lens you go for you still have to get a close as you can.

The blackbird shots is great. I wish we had those over here.

Great first post Justin. I'm looking forward to seeing some more. I'd go with the Canon 100-400 as a good all round lens. I swear by mine. You can also put a 1.4x converter on it and maintain autofocus.

100-400 is a bit out of my price range at the moment, how does the sigma 120-400 compare?

Looks like a great start.

binliner wrote in post #6983332
100-400 is a bit out of my price range at the moment, how does the sigma 120-400 compare?

Save up and in the mean time research between the 100-400 and the 400F5.6. I bought the 400f5.6 and never need less zoom and always need more, it's sharp wide open, which mine is at most of the time.

These are super shots. Excellent detail on the Blackbird.

I guess it probably depends on how much bird photography you want to do and where. I have a friend who uses the 70-300 on birds. It can deliver some good results, but I get the impression it is quite hard work and the lack of reach is often pretty evident. I agree with the posters above. If you want to get seriously into photographing birds, grit your teeth and save up for the extra 100mm. I find I'm using my new 100-400 at 400mm for 90% of the time. I've already wished many times that I had 500, 600, or 800mm - I guess whatever reach you have it's never enough! - but there are so many opportunities at 400 that I'm not feeling hard done by. If I only had 300 max I do think I would frequently feel hampered.

Just wish a few of mine turned out like yours. They are great.

Here's a UK bird site I like, showing brilliant pics from his earliest gear to the present day:

http://www.lincsbirder​.co.uk/index.htm