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
at

22 comments:

  1. Brona6 April 2013 at 22:46

    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.

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  2. Laurel-Rain Snow6 April 2013 at 22:50

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

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  3. Eugenia O'Neal6 April 2013 at 22:54

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

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  4. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz6 April 2013 at 23:45

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

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  5. Melissa O.7 April 2013 at 00:42

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

    Here is my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT post!

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  6. Anonymous7 April 2013 at 01:22

    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!

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  7. Anonymous7 April 2013 at 01:22

    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!

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  8. Ali7 April 2013 at 03:18

    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.

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  9. Irene7 April 2013 at 04:22

    You did good! Please continue.

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  10. Melwyk7 April 2013 at 04:29

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

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  11. Unknown7 April 2013 at 04:49

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

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  12. Paulita 7 April 2013 at 05:26

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

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  13. Susan Lindquist7 April 2013 at 08:12

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

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  14. Marg7 April 2013 at 08:25

    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

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  15. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea7 April 2013 at 11:26

    Such pleasants sights of warmer temps - love the photos.

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  16. MedicatedMoo8 April 2013 at 00:34

    Brilliant!

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  17. Lmkazmierczak8 April 2013 at 01:30

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

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  18. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)8 April 2013 at 02:39

    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!

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  19. Swan Pond8 April 2013 at 23:14

    Great start Louise. Looking forward to more birding posts!

    Megan

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  20. Anonymous9 April 2013 at 09:32

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

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  21. Martha Eskuchen13 April 2013 at 11:25

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

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  22. Jackie McGuinness14 April 2013 at 00:09

    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!

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