Thanks Arlene! As you know you need a big lens for Whitewater Draw...what camera do you use? I'm thinking next I should consider a scope with a camera mount, if I can do it without breaking the bank...
If I'm really serious (rarely, unless I'm in my blind), I use my Canon 500 f4 but it's so HEAVY and requires a tripod which is also HEAVY. So in the field I use either a 7D Mark II or a 5D Mark IV with a Canon 100-500mm lens plus 1.4 TC. My scope is a dinosaur now, purchased as a top-of-the-line Kowa about 30 yrs ago. I started out digiscoping before all the camera stuff but both scopes and digiscoping have greatly improved over the years. There are downsides to digiscoping though and good scopes are ridiculously expensive so I'll be using my Kowa until my birding days are over. I rarely use it as carrying a scope+tripod+camera stuff is more like torture to me. Have you looked into a used 100-500 lens?
You are serious. I've seen people with those cameras and 100-500mm lenses--I guess they're popular because they're more versatile...? Unlike my 300mm f4. I'll look at them some more--yes, used--because for now a scope is out of the question. I do love those old Kowa's--my friend Chuck LaRue has one I often drool over...
Lol, why not? I love birds. We don't get such a variety living in the heart of the city, but we watch them every morning and have our discussions about what they are up to and doing.
Ken, you are certainly more than an amateur photographer. How I wish I could come along on some of these ventures! Before my stint as the UA Pres I was a very active birder, piling up something like 2400 species on my life list. That preoccupation unfortunately went by the wayside as time for work became all-consuming. Photographing hummingbirds within easy reach of my home has gotten me all fired up again about birding. How does one find the site you were at? Wilcox Playa?
Hey John--you are too kind...I really feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but I take lots of pictures to make up for it! 2400 birds--wow!!! You must have traveled a lot. My friend, the late Bob Bates, had something approaching 8k birds I think--always enjoyed going out with him to some wild spot for some obscure bird... You are welcome to join me anytime--I would certainly learn from your expertise, both photography and birding. Whitewater Draw is at the southern end of the playa, well...more the southern end of the Sulphur Springs Valley. From Tucson, probably the best route is through Benson then Tombstone to Davis Rd then east to Coffman Rd. (just short of McNeal) and south a few miles. Look for the signs. Let me know when you go and I'll join you!
The 2.0 teleconverter worked great! Nice close-ups.
Thanks Arlene! As you know you need a big lens for Whitewater Draw...what camera do you use? I'm thinking next I should consider a scope with a camera mount, if I can do it without breaking the bank...
If I'm really serious (rarely, unless I'm in my blind), I use my Canon 500 f4 but it's so HEAVY and requires a tripod which is also HEAVY. So in the field I use either a 7D Mark II or a 5D Mark IV with a Canon 100-500mm lens plus 1.4 TC. My scope is a dinosaur now, purchased as a top-of-the-line Kowa about 30 yrs ago. I started out digiscoping before all the camera stuff but both scopes and digiscoping have greatly improved over the years. There are downsides to digiscoping though and good scopes are ridiculously expensive so I'll be using my Kowa until my birding days are over. I rarely use it as carrying a scope+tripod+camera stuff is more like torture to me. Have you looked into a used 100-500 lens?
You are serious. I've seen people with those cameras and 100-500mm lenses--I guess they're popular because they're more versatile...? Unlike my 300mm f4. I'll look at them some more--yes, used--because for now a scope is out of the question. I do love those old Kowa's--my friend Chuck LaRue has one I often drool over...
+Oops. Made a typo. The lens is 100-400 which I use with a 1.4 TC.
Yeah, you're not the only one making typos...good thing I can edit these posts!
The Plumbeous Vireo ending photo is an entire mood. I completely relate.
Yes, I like its mood for sure...thanks for this!
Funny how just the right look can set a mood like that. I took a photo of a vermillion flycatcher yesterday that looks like he's bored and yawning...
Lol, why not? I love birds. We don't get such a variety living in the heart of the city, but we watch them every morning and have our discussions about what they are up to and doing.
Yes, even sparrows can be mesmerizing. I get excited when I see House Sparrows! They always seem like they're up to something!
Yes they do! And we got a rare treat of seeing a hawk of some sort yesterday. He was not too be bothered lol.
Lately I've been seeing both Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks--always fun to encounter!
Ken, you are certainly more than an amateur photographer. How I wish I could come along on some of these ventures! Before my stint as the UA Pres I was a very active birder, piling up something like 2400 species on my life list. That preoccupation unfortunately went by the wayside as time for work became all-consuming. Photographing hummingbirds within easy reach of my home has gotten me all fired up again about birding. How does one find the site you were at? Wilcox Playa?
Best,
John
Hey John--you are too kind...I really feel like I don't know what I'm doing, but I take lots of pictures to make up for it! 2400 birds--wow!!! You must have traveled a lot. My friend, the late Bob Bates, had something approaching 8k birds I think--always enjoyed going out with him to some wild spot for some obscure bird... You are welcome to join me anytime--I would certainly learn from your expertise, both photography and birding. Whitewater Draw is at the southern end of the playa, well...more the southern end of the Sulphur Springs Valley. From Tucson, probably the best route is through Benson then Tombstone to Davis Rd then east to Coffman Rd. (just short of McNeal) and south a few miles. Look for the signs. Let me know when you go and I'll join you!
So what do you use for a camera? Mine is old and of course is scratched up by now so it's time for a new one. Any suggestions?
Mine's old too but I love it. A Canon EOS T3i and I've added a 300mm F4 lens.
It's light enough for traveling! My daughter has a Canon EOS T7i, which is a later model.