Saturday 6 April 2013

Zoom, zoom!

Sometimes mere blog reading can be expensive. A while ago I was reading Trevor's Birding, an excellent South Australian bird blog. He had an interesting page on bird photography, which linked to another page at birding.com about super zoom cameras. I don't know anything about cameras, or photography really, so I set Mr Wicker on to it. Very soon a Canon SX50HS arrived at our place. 

I've been trying it out recently at local wetlands. It takes some cool photos. Even on rather automatic settings, and at full zoom (equivalent to 1200 mm, not further zoomed on the computer, no need!). 


Little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
Taken from this spot (nonzoomed, equivalent to 24 mm)

That's the cormorants log in the middle there!

I know this isn't a great photo, but to again show the zoom capabilities, which I think are outstanding. My photos will get better. I hope. 

Pacific Black Duck- Anas superciliosa

You can almost see the ducks as specks at the far side of the water
These photos were also taken across the pond.

A family of Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
You can even see the spurs on the wings
of the one standing on the left

The lapwings, with some diving Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
without my camera I wouldn't have seen that there were
two species of ducks there today

I know it's just another Pacific Black Duck, but I think it's a cool shot
I need duck size birds to practice on

Saturday Snapshot, is a wonderful weekly meme from at home with books

22 comments:

Brona said...

Louise, I have zoom envy!!
That's very impressive. I look forward to future captures if that's what you can do with the first outing.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Very cool shots! And I agree about blog reading...lol. Or just going online.

Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

Eugenia O'Neal said...

Now that's a powerful zoom! But what great pictures it's allowed you to get!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Oh dear. Covet, covet, covet. And now I'm off to add a (gulp!) camera to my Amazon wishlist.

Melissa O. said...

Beautiful pictures! I never get tired of looking at pictures of birds!

Here is my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT post!

Anonymous said...

I've seen a 400mm lens and it's like a huge cannon. Can't imagine what a 1200mm looks like. Is it optical zoom or real zoom at 1200mm? Wow these photos are great! I only have a 200mm lens and need computer cropping but the focus isn't great. Congrats on your new purchase!

Anonymous said...

I've seen a 400mm lens and it's like a huge cannon. Can't imagine what a 1200mm looks like. Is it optical zoom or real zoom at 1200mm? Wow these photos are great! I only have a 200mm lens and need computer cropping but the focus isn't great. Congrats on your new purchase!

Ali said...

I can see why you were tempted with that amazing zoom lens! You got some great photos that would have been impossible without it.

I especially like the one with the duck tails sticking up out of the water. It always kind of cracks me up when they do that.

Irene said...

You did good! Please continue.

Melwyk said...

I love birds (that cormorant is very cool) and I am also envious of your wonderful camera. Great shots.

Unknown said...

Pretty amazing zoom you have there, the photos are wonderful! Just got a new camera and need to learn my way around it!

Paulita said...

I am so jealous of your camera and your lovely pictures. Here's Mine

Susan Lindquist said...

Whoa! Amazing what those lenses can do! Awesome shots!

Marg said...

Could have done with a zoom like this myself the other day. Was trying to take a photo of a swan with my phone camera! Didn't quite work! lol

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Such pleasants sights of warmer temps - love the photos.

MedicatedMoo said...

Brilliant!

Lmkazmierczak said...

Impressed with your photography skills♫ Happy Sunday♥ My SS: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/03/moonball-caught-in-tree.html

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) said...

I am impressed with the range on that camera. And the clarity and sharpness of the photos. I didn't realize the sensors on the point and shoots were so advanced now. Makes me want to rush out and replace the lenses on my 5-year old DSLR!

Swan Pond said...

Great start Louise. Looking forward to more birding posts!

Megan

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots ... Is it s big camera ... Don't answer that, I guess I can Google it myself!

Martha Eskuchen said...

That is really some zooming. Nice work! Birds are good subjects. :-)

Jackie McGuinness said...

I have to admit to being lazy about carrying my heavy lens around with me but your photos are tempting me to use it more. Great shots!