I was thinking, the D3200 must be a pretty good birding camera, since you get 24mp of DX.

I guess I was just frustrated that I couldn't reach the snowy owls perched far a way, but maybe that isn't typical bird situations.

I wonder how the 70-200mm f2.8 with a 2x tele performs, giving 140-400mm f5.6.

The D3200/D5200 cameras do not have the colour depth that the D600/D800 cameras have. Probably won't be noticeable to non-pros.

The 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with the 2x TC III is very good, but the TC should be tweaked by Nikon. We've found that often the TC may need a slight adjustment for best results.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/IMG_9044.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/IMG_9554.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/IMG_9449.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/IMG_9571.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/IMG_9762.jpg

shooting a Snowy perched on a log at Boundary Bay is one of the least challenging things you can do with your time. not only does the novelty of doing it wear off quick, looking at other's pics does too. capturing a Blue Heron full frame in flight is much more difficult. show me wild hummers, Kingfishers,raptors hunting, anything but a Snowy on a rotten chunk of wood. even the above SE owl shots may seem an easy shoot, it was still a chance opportunity even though they hang around there too. much more cooler than a Snowy not doing anything.

this shot, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/171A8807.jpg by Senna really exemplifies birding. a medium length telephoto, capturing a relatively common bird, in flight, but rarely done. try duplicating that if you want to challenge yourselves.

Hey! I'm saving up money for a D800 !... but its kind of difficult saving money when you literally have no income. I use to own a 300mm f4 but I felt that I personally needed VR as many of my photos were blurry from my shaky hands on those cold and windy winter days. I tried to use a tripod with it as well for more stabilization but my tripod is kind of weak. It didn't carry the weight very well.

A few old photos from the 300mm f4

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5163/5...957600cff4.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5005/5...7211a28ee5.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5304/5...394590047e.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5106/5...da622dd522.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5130/5...4ac21c837c.jpg

And a photo of the Northern Hawk Owl. I also have a photo of the owl in flight but its a little blurry. I was the only one there with the smallest setup haha. The owners of that house on the corner must have been disappointed when everyone started to park on their property.


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5018/5...1450d82efe.jpg

I agree with N.V.M that capturing photos of birds in flight brings life to the photo and is mush more rewarding. Capturing action is great but I still enjoy a nice photograph of a bird roosting on a post or tree.

Awesome Eagle and Owl photos Senna! Keep it coming!

i never said an image of a "bird roosting on a post or tree" was a bad thing. re-read what i said about the SE owl. what i said was all about most of the Snowy owl shots you see coming out of Boundary Bay. to me they've become all the same, and having done it, it's not difficult at all.

btw, all your shots above are fantastic. 10x more interested in those than a Snowy on a log.

^
I understand what you mean. I'm just saying that I don't mind the same old Snowy Owl resting on a log photo or capturing some action shots. I just enjoy all types of photographs.
My all time goal is to capture an amazing bald eagle photograph just milliseconds away from capturing some salmon!

Here are some old 18-200mm VR pics where the birds allowed me to slowly sneak up on them.

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1113/5...0a82dffccf.jpg

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1263/5...0446f0b4a4.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5162/5...0f231515a2.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6...75c11283ec.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8...b65dea5daa.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6...c297f16a2e.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6...9b40acb996.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6...20015a321c.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4133/5...7326728667.jpg

Some one year old BIF shots. I like all sorts of bird photo's too! All those pics that Senna, NVM, Liquid, and Euro posted are awesome!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6...7fea81b1_b.jpg

Non-BIF
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6...2d7c0638_b.jpg

Non-BIF
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6109/6...2b3df1e5_b.jpg

nice^

hey Boost, why don't you buy the 600mm over at Beau with the money(plus a bit of your own) you'll get for selling me your 500mm?

I've said it before, but I just got married :) And a 600mm is hella heavy! How much is it going for anyways?

^
Hey! Congratulations!
That in flight Snowy Owl photo is stunning! You can clearly see their big puffy and fluffy feet! haha.

looks like $6400 = tax. i don't mind the weight of a 600mm, i play with 90 lb sheets of MDF all day long. however, i've only got about $5k + my 400mm , so YOU should buy it before it goes, lol.

It sold on Friday. :(

i would've bought that lens within 30 days, too bad. even on eBay they start at $7200 or so. i was even thinking about going into a bit of debt to grab it earlier.

A photographer showed me some photographs taken at Boundary bay with his 5D MK2 and 100-400mm. Amazing photos. I love that Short Eared owl. Anyone capture any more? Looked like a decent day out there today. Anyone go?

The gorgeous Red-Headed Cardinal

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H.../DSC_6503e.jpg

^
Thats so sweet!

on the soggy fields going down 72nd. had my TC on :

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-.../72eagle1a.jpg

Thats wicked!

Do you guys offer the adjustment services?

So for bang for buck, is a 300mm f2.8 the best for birding? I'm trying to be on a budget.. lol.

I liked my 300mm f4 and it was great to get in closer when I was capturing photos of birds but no VR sucks and f2.8 would allow a little more light. But then again you guys have way better camera bodies which allow for higher ISO settings and have no grain visible if you need to brighten the image up without sacrificing shutter speeds.
If I had a job I would purchase the 300mm f2.8 VR but the 70-200mm f2.8 VR with a teleconverter would be a pretty good lens as well. Keep in mind that I'm no where near an expert so anyone else and Senna will know better.

No, that's gotta go in to Nikon.

Best bang for the buck would be a Sigma 150-500 or Tamron 200-500 or Nikon's 80-400 IMHO, or a Nikon 300mm f4 + 1.4x TC. If you're willing to spend the big bucks, then a 300mm f2.8VR + 1.4x TC or 200-400mm f4 VR would be awesome.

That's awesome!! I waiti 30min for the owl to fly away when I was there, and gave up. There's just no indictation when they feel like taking off!