Still Looking for Backyard Birding Solution

[nikonosguy]

dave -- if you have a crop frame nikon, use a 300 -- it becomes about a 500 --- there's many ways of doing it

 

[nikonosguy]

Going back to the GoPro idea: you can control a GoPro remotely with a smartphone from a distance well in excess of 50', so you could put one near the bird feeder and then just click the "shutter" from your phone when you see a bird.

set the gopro to shoot repeated frames or time lapse stills

also, could use triggertrap for a dslr

 

[dave lackey]

Hi Dave - have you looked at the bridge cameras, such as the Fuji FZ series? They go out to 400mm-600mm, albeit with smaller sensors.

The Nikon P900 even goes out to a whopping 2000mm!!! 😱 Assuming you don't need large prints, this one may be a viable option. Just set it up on a small Gorillapod by your window, pre-focus on the bird feeder and trigger the shutter by using the Nikon ML-L3 remote. The Nikon P900 price is a little less than $600.

I'm actually considering the Nikon P900 myself, as well as the Fuji FZ series and the Sony RX10 III ( a VERY NICE option that goes out to 600mm, but at a daunting cost of $1500).

Good luck!!!

-Keith

Hmm... Now we are getting somewhere!

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/2775396@N25/pool/interesting/

 

[rodt16s]

Can't the bird-feeder be moved closer to the window

 

[dave lackey]

Can't the bird-feeder be moved closer to the window

Sure, if you like squirrels in the attic...😱 I maintain a neutral zone. Not wanting to buy a squirrel launcher I prefer they stay a certain distance, not to mention the crap and seeds from the birds on the patio.

Complicating the situation is the bird thing is not for me. My bride is pretty much housebound and spends a lot of time in the living room which adds to the distance. With the right setup I hope she will be able to shoot a few pictures with one good arm or at least look at or through a camera even though half of her vision is absent on the left side.

Cost is a huge factor. Form and function come into play after that.

 

[Fixcinater]

If you have a DSLR/mirrorless that will take M42 or Olympus, I will send you:

SMC Takumar 300mm f/4 (M42)
Sigma 600mm f/8 mirror (olympus mount)
Tamron 200-500mm f/6.9 (Adaptall-2, so can be any old manual focus mount with the right adapter, I have Oly/Pentax/M42/Canon EF)

Just pay return shipping when you are done trying them. Better than them collecting dust on my shelf. PM me if you are interested.