Thanks to Mark, Stella and Greg re the lenses they use. I am not surprised to find two of you using Sigmas. Way back when I was shooting yearbook pictures I got my first telephoto, and it, too, was a Sigma. I had done a good deal of research before purchasing on my meager school teacher's salary, but alas, have not kept up on the topic, especially not in the realm of bird photography. We have Minolta Maxxums -- 7000i and 7xi -- and a dandy 500 mm reflex lens. The lens is small and tidy, but those donuts you get with a mirror lens can sometimes ruin an otherwise gorgeous pix. Although we are not looking for publication standard photos, I did think that a fixed lens might be worth a look. Mark, we will certainly talk about this the next time we bump binocs.... Fran > In a message dated 98-01-13 18:22:55 EST, Fran Saunders wrote: > > > If I remember correctly, some scopes have optional adapters > > for cameras, and it makes for a better fit. Might be worth > > looking into if you plan to use a scope for photos. > > > > Speaking of cameras, I was thinking of adding a tele lens for > > bird photography. Anybody out there with some recommendations > > as to make and size? Some people on our AZ trip had 400 mm > > Sigmas, which they said worked well. > > > > Fran > > > > > Fran - > > I do a fair amount of picture-taking, especially of rarities, > pelagics, etc. I use Nikon equipment and have both a Sigma > 400/5.6 and 500/7.2 that I use depending upon lighting > conditions. The more light and faster the shutter speed the > better with these long lenses. With such "slow" lenses you > almost have to use a fast film, like Kodachrome 200, which I > prefer. The next step up in lenses (say a 400/2.8) is going to > cost you $3K+. I use Sigma lenses and I'm very happy with them. > Comparable Nikon lenses would cost 3-5x as much. I'm giving a > talk to the Baltimore Club in February on "Rare birds of > Maryland" if you'd like to check-out some of the results or > talk more. > > I also have 800mm and 1000mm adapters for my Kowa scope that I > can use the Nikon on. These need much light, and are really > only good for documenting birds, not taking quality pictures. A > tripod is mandatory. > > Regards, > > Mark Hoffman > Sykesville, MD > Mhoff36100@aol.com > -------------------------------- Fran Saunders Maryland Ornithological Society State Web Site Director saunderf@ari.net http://www2.ari.net/saunderf/mos/mos.html