Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 09:18:37 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Arlene Ripley Subject: Re: Pictures through spotting scopes In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed At 03:39 AM 1/11/01, Frank Boyle wrote: > Also be aware that the slightest breeze may cause your images >to blur more than usual, which can be corrected using a higher shutter >speed. > >The solution? Invest in a 400MM lens and ditch the digital camera. While I agree with Frank about the shutter speed, I disagree about "ditching" the digital camera. After lugging around my 35mm with three different lenses to cover every possible situation, I now tote my Sony MV-CD1000 with a 10x lens that is the equivalent to a 390mm lens. If the bird is not too far away I can get very decent photos. This camera with the built-in lens is a featherweight compared to what I used to tote around. As an example, I was at Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro yesterday and took this photo of the Whooper Swan. As to documenting rarities, I almost never go birding without my Sony Digital camcorder (model TRV-520). With the equivalent of an 800mm lens and crisp, clear videos even at the highest magnification, I am always ready to capture that rare bird or any bird that I might have trouble identifying. This is my choice for the field. I also realize that both digital cameras are expensive and not for everyone but the cost of a good high-powered lens is probably much more than both of the cameras combined. ///////// Arlene Ripley | || Calvert County, MD | 0 || aripley@nestbox.com | || http://www.nestbox.com || ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================