I need a good camera for birding

[shadylady20]

I wanna start birding (so exciting!!) but I need to get a good camera. I've been recommended a Canon EOS Rebel XS Digital SLR with a 75-300mm lens.

What do you guys suggest? The more advice the better :P

[julesk]

That's basically the 400d right? If so, that's a good camera. I have it. Think it has been replaced with the 1000d now though.

Good entry level dslr anyway. Granted, it's less about the camera, and more about the lenses. A 400d can preform just as well as a 4d in the right hands, with really good lenses and the right set up and calibration.

I'd suggest the 400d or Rebel for now, and you can always buy better lenses when you get more money. Plus it's a lot lighter and more compact than the more expensive canon cameras.

[marti375]

If your not to familiar with cameras, the simpler the better. You will need a good zoom lens though. The stronger the zoom the better for taking wild life photos as you won't get to close to the birds.

[TerryMason]

That's sounds like a pretty expensive camera (any digital slr is going to be pricey). I use an older Fujifilm Finepix S700 - it just doesn't have a changeable zoom lens. Works great for me.

[Vilas]

I use an Olympus CAMEDIA, C-740 Ultra Zoom. 3.2 Mega pixel, 30x zoom. I got it on sale for $79.00 at Office Depot a few years ago. I love the weight and how it fits in my hand. I get excellent shots with it and have been considered a professional with my photos. Just luck. You can see a gob of my photography at Webshots and look under flowergirl55 for my photo albums. I'm kind of behind on them, but plenty there to give you an idea of what my camera can do. Plus I took it with me to Utah, set it on the "motion" and sat in the back seat, shooting over 400 pics. They came out great.