Bird Scoping

This albums is meant to be used in conjunction with TODO ARTICLE LINK. The images below are examples of what can happen when a birder needs to get closer - and mostly compare 2 cameras:* Nikon COOLPIX P1000 (0 - 3000mm)* Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark iii with Sigma 150 - 600mm and Olympus 100-400mmThe intent was 2 fold:1) Find a way to get closer to birds for identification - pictures do not need to be clear even, just allow colors and identifying marks to be seen.2) Find great pictures of birds for sharing. The Olympus won hands down in this.Conclusion:1) The P1000 can get you close to birds almost a mile away. Pictures would not want to be printed, but they will work for identification. When dealing with shore birds, lake birds, and other birds, this is a win. There is no substitute for Optical Zoom. Picture Quality and Scope Quality rivals Spotting Scopes, without the hassle and problems that digiscoping brings. The P1000 is 3lbs, much, much lighter than any spotting scope, and can be used with manual focus, just like a spotting scope.2) The Olympus kills the image quality. The 400mm lens (effective 200-800mm) is 6 inches long, and with camera, weights 4.5 pounds - about a 50% more than the P1000. Yet, it can get you close enough to ID all but the most extreme birds, and the pictures are Gorgeous.Both of these cameras perform well in challenging conditions, as long as the intended purpose is kept in mind - you will not want to print the P1000 pictures at sunset, for instance. But you will be able to see the birds!Almost all pictures were taken handheld - and that is where the Sigma really lost out - it was just way too heavy to handle for long periods of time. Combined with the adapter, you only gained about 24mm over the Olympus 400mm, so it wasn't worth it.

Bird Scoping

Zoomed WAY in on the P1000, it really isn't a bad camera.
Zoomed WAY in on the P1000, it really isn't a bad camera.
P1000 - Again, Zoomed in - maybe 1500mm effective focal. You can see the water isn't as clean or gradiated.
P1000 - Again, Zoomed in - maybe 1500mm effective focal. You can see the water isn't as clean or gradiated.
Somwhere out on this lake, birds will land and want to be identified. Maybe a mile around this point?
Somwhere out on this lake, birds will land and want to be identified. Maybe a mile around this point?
P1000 - 3000mm. Not clear - but with a few of these pictures, you can actually identify a bird. I wouldn't print this, but it serves a useful purpose!
P1000 - 3000mm. Not clear - but with a few of these pictures, you can actually identify a bird. I wouldn't print this, but it serves a useful purpose!
Here, you can see the details in the water, the iridesence of the duck's heads.
Here, you can see the details in the water, the iridesence of the duck's heads.
not great - but this is good enough for a bird ID
not great - but this is good enough for a bird ID
P1000 - oooof. Sensor is just overwhelmed by the lights.
P1000 - oooof. Sensor is just overwhelmed by the lights.
Olympus - Se the difference in the sparkles? They look so natrual!
Olympus - Se the difference in the sparkles? They look so natrual!
P1000 - not great, but good enough for a bird ID
P1000 - not great, but good enough for a bird ID
P1000 - Good enouh to ID this raptor!
P1000 - Good enouh to ID this raptor!
At sunset.
At sunset.
Almost a half mile or more away - this is protected land you are not allowed on. But so many raptors show up here!
Almost a half mile or more away - this is protected land you are not allowed on. But so many raptors show up here!
Honestly, it's just a better camera!
Honestly, it's just a better camera!
Again, not fully in focus - more than a half a mile away. But good enough to ID.
Again, not fully in focus - more than a half a mile away. But good enough to ID.
At sundown
At sundown
Nice Craters!
Nice Craters!
Olympus - 424mm, f/7.1, 1\800, ISO400
Olympus - 424mm, f/7.1, 1\800, ISO400
Olympus - ISO400, 424mm, f/7.1, 1/1600
Olympus - ISO400, 424mm, f/7.1, 1/1600
Olympus - 600mm, f/6.3, ISO400, 1/2000
Olympus - 600mm, f/6.3, ISO400, 1/2000
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