upgrading canon body for bird photography

[crockny]

Hi all - I have an EOS Rebel Xsi which was my entry into DSLR world ... over the past year I have gotten really good at taking bird pictures and I want a faster more professional outfit ... even shooting jpeg on continuous with AI servo it's really slow -- I was standing next to someone with a 50D and their camera was going clickclickclickclick and mine was going click click click etc. Not good ...

So I'm thinking of the 7D which has an 8fps burst mode and is somewhat affordable -- I also want to think of the future -- this is not a full frame camera -- do I want a full frame for wildlife/bird photography which is mostly what I do? I'm a little confused about the advantages/disadvantages ...

So if there are any bird/insect/wildlife photographers out there with opinions ... please let me have them! Thanks ....

[OsmosisStudios]

The crop sensor in a 7D might actually be a benefit for birds: ti gives you the extra reach you're likely always screaming for.

I think a 60D might be a better option, though. Cheaper, almost all the performance.

[RichardTaylor]

If you can't afford a 1D

7D
(1) Faster FPS (than 60D)
(2) Better autofocus - especially critical for birds in flight.


Forget the a Canon full frame (5DII) camera unless you are shooting stationary birds.
(1) Basically same FPS as you have now.
(2) Not as good as auto focus as 7D (same as 50D)

[crockny]

The more I read up on the 7D the more I'm liking it ... I'm a little concerned about the weight issue though ... my rebel is heavy with the 400mm 5.6 telephoto as it is -- my wrists start to hurt ...

[RichardTaylor]

Use it with a mono pod when not shooting birds in flight. It makes life a lot easier.
I one for 90% of my motor racing & bird shots when using a Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L lens.

[inkista]

+1 everything Richard said.

Originally Posted by crockny

... my rebel is heavy with the 400mm 5.6 telephoto as it is -- my wrists start to hurt ...

...and take a look at your handholding technique/grip. I used my 400/5.6L on an XT, and never have any issues, and I suffer from RSI.

Your left hand should be supporting the majority of the camera/lens combo, from the bottom--it should not be resting on top of the lens unless you're using a tripod. I typically slide my left hand out further towards the end of the lens for more stability, sometimes gripping it at or just next to the hood. You could also try alternative holds, like the machine gun hold, but that's never worked particularly well for me. You could also consider getting a BushHawk, but that's usually for the big heavy lenses, not the 400/5.6L.

If you do go for a 7D, it's going to be a lot bigger and heavier than a dRebel. It'll balance the 400/5.6 a bit better, but it's not going to be lighter. I actually struggle a bit with my 50D and 5D2 in this regard. But the 7D's autofocus system is probably what you want for birds, as well as the 8fps frame rate. The 50D's is 6fps, the 60D's is 5fps. Your dRebel is 3fps.

[crockny]

Maybe the weight thing is more of a woman's issue? And it depends on how long I just stand and shoot - the day my wrists hurt was the day a heron was posing all day and the waxwings were eating berries for hours ... I just couldn't leave!

I do hold the lens from the bottom which is fine for autofocusing for birds, but what's the technique for manual focus while holding the lens? I find it awkward ... I'm guessing you're going to say get a tripod ...

[crockny]

Anyway, going to B&H today to look at the 7D ...

[sk66]

I never use manual focus for birds..especially birds in flight.

[RichardTaylor]

Re birds in flight
+1 sk66

Occasionally I will use manual focus when shooting birds through leaves etc.

(1) Example.


I never use a tripod when shooting birds (although If I had a really heavy/large lens I can see why you would want one, with a gimbal head)

With a monopod you can, and I do, shoot all day if need be.
That's way 90% of motor racing photographers use monopods.

(2) Example