Sigma Photography

Do DSLRs and birding mix?

I have been considering the possibility of buying a DSLR camera and telephoto lens for birding but I can't decide whether it is going to be too much of an encumbrance.

From my experience with SLR cameras a few years ago I know they have a habit of taking over your life and you can end up with a heavy bag full of lenses and other bits and pieces. I also suspect that you can end up being so obsessed with taking photographs that birdwatching can go out of the window.

I currently carry binoculars, a Nikon ED50 scope, a Fuji F30 camera on a digiscoping adapter and a tripod or hide clamp plus the usual other bits and pieces. I can cope with carrying that lot about without too much hassle and walk about quite happily all day. I wonder if carrying the DSLR and sundries as well would be a step too far. I could get rid of the F30 and adapter but I would still like to have my scope with me. I have also noted some derogatory comments about DSLR toting photographers recently from other birders and I wouldn't want to be put into that category would I?

The ideal compromise would seem to be the superzoom compacts but they appear they have some way to go before they can really compete on image quality.

So my question is: do other people manage to combine DSLRs with normal birding or do they tend to detract from it.

Any thoughts?

Ron

Since I started birding with my DSLR last year I tend to go out with the camera round my neck (or in a camera pouch a over my shoulder)and only a pair of compact bins in my pocket. The Scope (which I never used that much anyway) is only for scanning the sea these days. Once you get a DSLR I predict you'll give up digiscoping.........

Birders who make snide comments about DSLR users? Never heard that before. Nothing worse than a nerd calling other nerds nerds!

Some of the Olympus DSLRs are very small and light, and their lenses are also pretty small relative to other DSLRs. This is because of the smaller 4:3 sensor they use, and also the reason for the 2x factor on the lenses (i.e. a 100mm lens is equivalent to a 200mm). So that might be a good compromise.

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