I started photographing birds in 2020 using Fujifilm cameras (models XT-2, XT-4, XT-5, and X-H2S). My photo library now includes nearly 13,000 bird pictures. By year the counts are: 2020 – 381, 2021 – 1777, 2022 – 2722, 2023 – 3253, 2024 – 4666. I probably save less than 5% of the images I take; that means I took about 90,000 bird pictures last year.
On the Home page of my blog is a link to an essay called “My camera gear” which I posted in early 2024. I pointed out that Fujifilm cameras use a smaller (cropped) sensor (15.6mm x 23.6mm) compared with the best cameras made by Canon, Nikon, and Sony, with full-frame sensors (24mm x 36mm). I wrote that the larger full-frame cameras have several advantages:
1. Better performance in dim light.
2. They can handle a wider range of light intensity, producing more detail in the lightest and darkest areas of a scene.
3. Better at showing detail in any lighting situation.
4. I acknowledged that the best full-frame cameras have better autofocus for birds.
I argued, in the same essay, that despite not being the best, my Fujifilm cameras have performed well. Every bird photo that I posted in my 2024 blogs was taken with a Fuji. The smaller (cropped) sensors mean that Fujifilm X-series cameras are smaller, lighter, and cheaper compared with full-frame cameras. You can enjoy bird photography for a smaller investment.
Fujifilm introduced software specifically for autofocusing on birds about 2 years ago. This autofocus addition has not done well. Mathieu Gasquet, who performs camera tests with flying birds in Wales, has reported that Fuji’s autofocus is inferior compared with other cameras: https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/stories/fuji-xh2s-wildlife-birds/#birds.
Throughout 2024 I became increasingly frustrated by the autofocus performance of my current Fujifilm cameras, the X-H2S and the XT-5. I often missed shots that should have been possible. I began to consider buying a full-frame camera. Fifteen years ago the most popular cameras for bird photography were digital single lens reflex (DSLR) models made by Nikon and Canon. Sony, which never made DSLRs, produced the world’s first mirrorless full-frame digital camera in 2013. Canon and Nikon followed in 2018. In 2021, Sony introduced the Alpha 1, a stunning camera; version II of this camera appeared in late 2024. Canon produced the excellent EOS R5 in 2020 and the EOS R3 in 2021. Nikon released a flagship mirrorless camera, the Z9, in 2021. This was followed by the Z8 in 2023. The Z8 was smaller, lighter, and cheaper than the Z9, but had nearly all the features of the pricier Z9. (For more about the evolution of cameras, see my essay about Modern Cameras, linked to my Home page.)
In late 2024 I decided to choose a full-frame mirrorless camera from one of the three leading companies: Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Each company supports its cameras with about 45 different lenses for their mirrorless full-frame cameras. The Canon EOS R5 and R3, both outstanding, are popular with many bird photographers. But I narrowed my decision to the Sony Alpha 1 and the Nikon Z8. Both are exceptional. Mathieu Gasquet has written a helpful comparison of these two cameras: https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/sony-vs-nikon/z8-vs-a1/
Gasquet concluded that both cameras are terrific for bird photography. The Sony has the best autofocus, but the Z8 is close behind. Each camera has some advantages over the other in terms of ergonomics, sensor performance, menus, and so on. In 2024, the website PetaPixel rated the Sony Alpha 1 as the best overall mirrorless camera and the Z8 as the best camera for birds and wildlife: https://petapixel.com/best-mirrorless-cameras/.
After much hand-wringing, I opted for the Z8, partly because I prefer the selection of super-telephoto prime lenses that Nikon offers. I was also impressed by the software updates that Nikon has produced since they introduced this camera. I ordered the Z8 with a 180-600mm zoom lens. This is an expensive purchase and I had several worries about it, including:
1. I feared the online praise for the Z8 might be exaggerated.
2. I’m 80 years old and I fretted that the weight of the camera might be too much for me.
The camera arrived Oct 9, 2024; I was taking pictures with it 2 days later. It took some effort to learn the complex menu system. But the rewards were immediate. The full-frame Z8 produces great photos in dim light. The autofocus misses some shots, but it is extremely good. For a bird in flight, the camera typically gains focus within one-third of a second. I was nailing images that I could not get with my Fujifilm cameras.
The handling of the Nikon lens/camera combo was easy. I take pictures while walking on dirt roads. The camera hangs upside down against my left hip, supported by a Black Rapid strap which is connected to the lens tripod foot. My old rig, a Fujifilm X-H2S with Fujifilm 150-600mm lens, weighs 5.2 lbs. The new gear weighs 6.3 lb. The one pound increase was not a problem. The excellent grip on the Nikon and the superior balance of the camera and lens makes handling easier. I became a full-frame convert and quickly bought a lens with longer reach. My Fuji 150-600 is equivalent to having a 225-900mm full-frame lens. I prefer a lens with a reach of 700mm or more. So I purchased a Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 lens, which looks like a small cannon. This increased the total weight to 7.25 lb, which I found easy to manage on walks of 1 to 2 hours. I could hold the 15 inch lens and get sharp images using shutter speeds as slow as 1/160 second; modern image stabilization is miraculous.
Getting the Z8 camera controls set up for bird photography was a chore. Nikon provides an online manual, in PDF format, that is over 900 pages long! Much of this tome is incomprehensible. I purchased three useful resources:
David D. Busch. David Busch’s Nikon Z9/Z8 Guide to Still Photography. 2024. San Rafael CA. Rocky Nook. A helpful book, but not oriented toward bird photography.
Jason P. Odell. Bird Photography with the Nikon Z9: Settings & Techniques for Wildlife Photographers. Third Edition for Z9 Firmware v4 and Nikon Z8 Cameras. 2024. Luminescence of Nature Press. Downloadable from www.luminescentphoto.com. Odell’s online book was a revelation, 92 pages of useful information. Pages 35-36 explain how to switch from one set of shooting settings to another with a single button push. When I turn the camera on it is set to shoot 12 frames per second at a shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second. I like these choices for flying birds. For perched birds I can press a button and change the settings to 3 frames per second with a shutter speed of 1/640th of a second. Each button push toggles back and forth between these settings; this is slick.
Steve Perry. The Ultimate Z8 and Z9 Setup & Shooting Guide for Wildlife Photography. 2024. Downloaded from www.backcountrygallery.com. Another excellent guide which helped me with some menu choices.
While I do not use every one of the setting recommendations from Odell or Perry, both of these online books provided practical suggestions and saved me a lot of time. (In several important aspects, Odell and Perry differ regarding advice. Not surprising given the large number of available menu choices and the different shooting styles that people have.)
It has now been 3 months since I moved to full-frame. I’m happy with my decision. At age 80, I suspect my years of bird photography are limited. I’m glad to have gear that can produce wonderful images. Is the Z8 perfect? No. I dislike the camera menus. Some control buttons are useless for me; for example, buttons for white balance and bracketing. I wish the camera had a PASM dial. I replaced the inadequate viewfinder eyecup. I replaced the outdated lens tripod feet. The 800mm lens does not allow screw-on filters and has no lens cap; I bought an after-market lens cap. On every exchangeable-lens camera that I have used, the bayonet lens attaches with a clockwise turn; on the Nikon, the turn is counter-clockwise. But none of these gripes are deal-breakers.
Would I have been happy with the Sony Alpha 1? I suspect the answer is yes. But this equipment is fiercely expensive; I won’t be experimenting to find out. If you are making a camera purchase, one option is to rent from a company such as Lens Rentals. The problem with that approach, at least for me, is that it takes me a month or more to learn how a new camera works. Paying for one month with one camera and lens, then another month with a second camera and lens, would be expensive and I fear it might be frustrating. But this option is available.
What would I suggest to someone who wants to buy gear for bird photography? Unless you have money to burn, I would not start with the Z8 or the Alpha 1. I would suggest something similar to what I did. Get a used Fujifilm X-T4 from Adorama or B&H. Buy a used or new telephoto zoom such as Fujifilm’s 150-600mm lens. Or consider the OM Micro Four Thirds cameras. Read Mastering Bird Photography by Marie Reed. After a year you should have over a 1000 good pictures. If you find you are having fun, consider an upgrade to full-frame gear. I used Fujifilm cameras for 5 years and had a great experience.
I have not sold my Fujifilm cameras. I plan to use them for landscape photos, travel photos, and other tasks. They are fine cameras and I like their controls, small size, and light weight. But for Bishop birds, the Nikon Z8 is now my preferred tool. Cameras continue to evolve quickly. Who knows what may be available in five more years. Who knows if I’ll still be able to take pictures in 5 years. I’m hoping for a button that will summon birds to appear.
Peter Cummings
January 2025
Birds of Bishop 