What type of camera are you using?

To get your bird photos.

I am in the market for a new camera, probably a digital SLR with a good zoom and fast action photo stuff for wildlife.
I would be interesting in knowing what other people are using.

I'm using a Hp Photosmart M525. I can't get great distance shots on it but it does the job until my Vivitar Manual SLR gets fixed.

I've been looking at a Nikon D40 or D80 or a Canon EOS400D, they are not the high end DSLR's but they are a bit higher end than the typical point and shoot digital cameras.

Anyone out there using either of these cameras? and would like to offer yeahs or neighs?


This message was edited Jan 10, 2007 11:55 AM

joepyeweed, before you make the jump to a digital SLR, you might consider the following point and shoot cameras that you can pick up for under $500.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 w/ 10 mp and 12x optical
Canon Powershot S3 w/ image stabilization, 12x optical and 6 mp

I have been using a Nikon D70 digital SLR w/ a Sigma 50-500mm telephoto lens. From experience, you need to get a lens that gets you close to 500mm for most birds except those around your feeder. The 2 point and shoot cameras mentioned above will get you there. The Sigma 50-500mm telephoto lens is about as inexpensive lens that you will find for a digital SLR at around $1,000. So, once you go with the Digital SLR, your expense starts to increase if you wish to add longer lenses. And, once you add longer lenses, the weight becomes a consideration. If you go digital, look at the Canon line of cameras and lenses. They have a better line of lenses than Nikon. Also, if you go digital SLR consider just buying the camera body unless you know exactly which lenses will fit your needs.

You didn't mention budget so I'm unsure of your financial commitment to this hobby.

Good luck !!!

Thanks for the suggestion. I had looked at the Canon powershot line.

I have a spotting scope. I would like to get an adapter so I could connect my camera lens to the spotting scope. Which is one reason I was thinking slr... I don't think I can connect a point and shoot to the spotting scope?

When I originally was considering getting SLR I was looking at the cameras that were in the $1,800 range and hesitated, because I don't think my photography skills warrant that type of expenditure.

So the lower end SLR's in the $800 range seemed more reasonable, particularly if I want to add lenses...

And I was wondering how one chooses between Nikon and Canon because they seem fairly comparable. So I am glad to hear your comment about the lenses.

Joe I just got the Lumix DMC FZ-50 for Christmas and am very pleased with it so far. It is extremely light weight, and has the image stabilizer along, 12x opitical zoom and 2x or 4x digital zoom that you get great pics with and 10MP. It is classified as Digital SLR which i was looking for since you can add more power with additional lense. I got a extra lense but haven't tried it yet. I am changing from the extremely heavy Olympus E10 digital SLR which i can no long hold the weight of and was only 5.2 MP. I have the T-Conn 300 long lense which greatly added to the weight. My previous camera before that was the Canon Pro 90 IS which is also a great camera with Image stabilizer, light weight but only 3.2 MP with 2 x and 4x digital zoom. Bad pics with 4x zoom. not usuable