What to buy bird action photography

[airforce1]

Looking forward to buy highend camera. Between D1X and D2H. What is good for nature bird and macro photography? I am curious and know nuts about it except I have D100 with macro and Vr 70-200 and 17-35mm wide. I want to do bird in action photography. Most probably 2nd or D2H brand new.

Thank you.

[agape01]

You might want to ask people like avatar or harlequin about that. They shoot with AFS 600 f/4 on D2hs.

However, an alternative that I might do "if I was a nikon user" and willing to spend the money is to buy a 2x TC and a D2x as there is the 2x crop on a 12.4MP CMOS sensor. You can still stick to the 70-200VR that you are currently using.

[airforce1]

Thanks agape01.

D2X will be expensive. Actually I am interested to buy D2H or 2nd hand D1X but I do not know which is a good buy for simple nature shots. I have searched Dpreview arguments on D2H regarding noise and loud shutter. D1X will be good because of the low price I think. Well some advice please?.

[chngpe01]

Hi Abdul,

Have you check up with the members in NPS on this? I am sure Dennis, Vincent or Chee Wai might be able to give you some good advise too. Good to seek wider views too.

Anyway, I have used a S2Pro, D1x, and now a D2h. There are differences in each of the camera system and it depends on what is your needs and what you meant by simple nature shot. Human wants are never satisfied, except that it is tampered by our resources to acquire them. Below are some of the pics taken by the 3 camera system(I know you are interested in D1x or D2h, but the S2Pro is there to help you decide if you still want to stick to your D100 and forget the rest or not). Cos there are the D70, D200?? or some other rumoured models akang datang.


These are taken with a S2Pro:






I still like and miss my S2Pro(not just because its my first dslr), I like the color, resolution and ability to capture the details. So, can it be use for simple nature shot? I think let the pictures speaks for themselves, flight and actions shots are possible but need alot of patience and anticipations. Chee Wai from NPS used a D100 and have won a few prizes in the nature photo competition too, now I think he has a D2h.

I was very happy with the S2Pro until someone let me try his D1x and suddenly, I realised that there is another camera that can focus very fast and responsive, suddenly I can capture some moments that I can't because the S2Pro is kind of slow in focus(on the same AFSII lens), S2pro raw conversion sucks and its mac version is grossly outdate then, and of course all other reasons I could find (whether real or imagined) just because I simply wanted a D1x and also could not afford to keep the S2Pro.

(TBC on next post)

[chngpe01]

The D1x was fantastic and I also miss it too, Apart from the faster focus (compared to S2Pro), I like the details and rich colors it can captured, the handling etc. Again I will show you some of the pics for you to judge.

Taken by D1x







So again why switch? Partly, I must admit, it was the temptation of wanting new things. However, if you have a bunch of photog with you shooting at machine gun blazing speed of a fast moving shots and here suddenly your 3fps seems to be like taking eternity to release its shutter. You will one day yield to the "espn tag line - buy buy buy".

(TBC in next post)

[chngpe01]

If you notice, the below shots are taken of a very fast moving suect, the baya weaver which is a rather small bird about the size of a sparrow. The D2h did the trick to capture those moments, not that a D1x cannot it can but the chances of success for the D2h is higher (pic 4 is taken with a D1x on the same subject a year earlier)

Taken with D2h







Taken with D1x (for comparison with D2h) to show that action pic can still be taken

pic #4 (the copyright watermark was edited in 2004. This pic was taken in 2003)


If you are looking for direct answer which is better to buy, the answer is its your call. Because with a D100 you can still take good award winning nature photo, so can the rest. The answer lies in what you want. For me I miss the D1x most, of course there are issues like the very battery life, noise etc. As for the D2h it a good camera it can resolve white very well, but I feel(though many will disagree) that as for the colors and details, I still like the D1x.

Yes, as for 2xTC with 70-200 or any zoom lens, it does give you decent pics but not what you will desire when you become more discerning in what you want in your shots as you progresses. D2x with crop factor, well its best to let others buy it and later complain or praise(to justify their purchases), as I do not have the privilege to touch it before launch, to comment.

Hope it helps or not confuse you more

Cheers



Disclaimer - I am not technical expert on technical terms and specification, my views are just based on my personal experience and preference.

[2100]

A fast body will aid tremendously in the fast action shots, you tend to get more hits. But at times you will find that luck and skills/anticipation has a huge hand in this too. Then you have the sharpness of the lens. For starters, just stick on a 2X on your 70-200 and play around with static shots.

Pics taken with a D70. gallery

I think if one just shoots and try to learn much more, that alone will get you better as well as more pics than good hardware will get you on a few outdoor trips.

[Sputnik]

Originally Posted by agape01 You might want to ask people like avatar or harlequin about that. They shoot with AFS 600 f/4 on D2hs. However, an alternative that I might do "if I was a nikon user" and willing to spend the money is to buy a 2x TC and a D2x as there is the 2x crop on a 12.4MP CMOS sensor. You can still stick to the 70-200VR that you are currently using.

wow... spoken like a true blue bird shooter..
i remember fondly your interpretation of the tiger at the singapore zoo... it was really an eye opener... for nature photographers
Hope to see more of your works in the future...

Happy Shooting

[obviousdude]

hi peng eik
thanx for your impartial sharing. very generous of you. excellent bird shots.

[agape01]

Thanks for your kind words, Sputnik.

Appreciate them.

[airforce1]

Thanks Peng Eik for the excellence photo and good opinion.

Look like D2H is the chosen one. Do you think I should buy now or wait for the price to drop .?

[espn]

I give you some encouragement

[bonfire]

Originally Posted by airforce1 Thanks Peng Eik for the excellence photo and good opinion. Look like D2H is the chosen one. Do you think I should buy now or wait for the price to drop .?

Sound like an expensive solution to you?