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Who Chose the 300 f4 over the 100-400 for Birding and Why?

Started Jul 29, 2016 | Discussions thread
Denjw
Denjw Veteran Member • Posts: 6,853
Re: Neither
1

lescrane wrote:

Sure the prime lens will be sharper,but even if price and weight were equal I'd go with the zoom.

Why? Flexibility.

When shooting birds you are invariably shooting at the full focal length for reach. I previously used the 50-200mm + EC20 and guess where I took most of my bird shots, 400mm.

You can get closer to small song birds or BIFS.

Why can you can closer with a zoom ahead of a prime if at equal focal length?

Getting close to small birds is more about knowing their habits, how timid they are and your stalking skills.

As Danny (nzmacro) says getting closer is the key, and I quote what he said in his terrific thread.

"Contrary to what a lot of people think we do with long tele lenses, we use them at close range. The closer to the subject the better and that applies to any tele lenses really. That's where the details are, in being close to the subject. "

Would a zoom helped me get closer this tiny bird, 8-9cm.

You can also zoom out if you find yourself too close to waterfowl or large herons.

Not often you need less than 300mm to be "to close" to large waterbirds. They usually very skittish. Maybe if in a boat or kayak.

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