SANParks.org Forums

The camera doesn't have it....

But! Google is a good friend of mine, and I found a workaround. Have a click here.
Links to a little program that will add the date stamp from the exif information. Actually, this might work better, it saves you photoshopping away the date stamp on photos you'd like to have printed.

Thank you so much DQ. That is great

If i had to ask all forumites what they would choose between these 2 subjects would you give me an answer please?

thanks,

Which would you choose,

A cannon 50D with a 75-300mm lens

Or a Nikon D90 with a 75-300mm lens

A Canon of course


But I supposed I am being unfair ...I own a Canon..I know nothing about a Nikon !!!!

I have heard that they are round about the same and that the Nikon D90 is the 50D's comppetitor...............

Hi Batmad!

If you haven't already done so you might have a look here for an into-deep review of the

Canon 50D

and the

Nikon D90

Thanks Katydownunder

To all of you currently thinking of that new lens, flash or whatever:

I'm reading news that Nikon is going to up it's prices for lenses and accessories per 1 february 2009, and Sony is thinking about it.
That's due to to the yen exchangerate....

The rise does not seem to include bodies, and Canon is still quiet.

I have always worked with Nikon and now have both a D50 and a D80.
D50 is very easy to use and I use it as a backup and always ready for quick shots
D80 has more or less the same funtions but has better colour control and all you have to do is smile and clic. I find it more professional and have added an MB-D80 battery pack (upto 5000 pics!)

D90 is the same as the D80 plus you also have film/video funtion, don't now about the quality but people say it's difficult to get used to filming with a camera in your hand.

I have a Fujifilm Finepic S5500 and would like to upgrade. Although it has 10x zoom the birds still stayed too small to ID.

What is your views on a Canon EOS 1000D and what lens do I need to get to "shoot" birds.

Have a look around, there is a recent topic about birdinglenses. Before you look at it make sure you get a raise in salary! You will need a long lens, which makes for lots of money.
What you can also look at is the topic about digiscoping, that's way cheaper, and as you'll see it'll give you great results!

The 1000D is an okay camera. I had one in my hands last week, and for a beginner and occasional photographer it will do fine. If your hands aren't too large, the same as with the 450D. The body is too small for my hands, my fingers get stuck against the lens, and even with a grip attached I can't find a comfy place for my little finger.
And I'm not large at all, or at least my hands are not.

Aside from that, you'll soon find, especially with birding, it simply doesn't shoot fast enough. You want to take 3 photos of a bird in quick succession (third eyelid!), and it doesn't. So you'll spread your wings, and will go for a 40D or 50D.
So I would rather choose a secondhand 20D or 30D, which should be cheap.

Hi Tilandi, As Duques suggests whatever camera you choose the lens is going to be where the money goes. I suggest that before you decide which way to go, you use "Google" and type in "Cameras for birding" and then explore the suggested sites.
In your search bear in mind that long lenses/focal length zooms must have Image Stabilisation (Optical NOT Digital) for successful results. Another thing to consider is that there are 25x zoom point and shoot cameras today with built in Optical Image Stabilisation and effective focal lengths of 600-700 mm.
Also it doesn't matter how long the focal length is - there will always be a subject that's just too far away.
You also require mobility - you can't rely on a bird sitting there while you set up your tripod. Your outfit has to be hand-holdable much of the time.

It is very important you spend your hard-earned cash correctly - a mistake could be very costly!

Good Luck - Dave

Thanks for the valuable info DQ and Dave. Being typical woman I almost spent R7000 today without doing my homework.
Thanks again
Tilandi

Greetings! am new to this thread.
Apologies for the question if it has already been exhausted here.
Have acquired a canon 400D with canon 70-300 IS lens.
Started photography and love it!
I may be able to get the following:
Sigma 150-500 lens and a 2X tele converter.

Is this combo good?
What do you guys think of the lens even without the converter?
Will it work well with my camera?
any advice is appreciated
Thanks!!!

Here is some info on the (1)50-500.

The teleconverter is not going to work, unless you buy a lower quality one that doesn't report it's presence to the camera.
You'll be going to adding 2 stops to the lens, so will loose Autofocus.

In most cases 500 mm will be good enough, if no, lean back and relax.