As a former birding information, I’ve photographed birds with every little thing from my smartphone to point-and-shoots to “critical” (and heavy) digital camera gear. However once I’d moderately be extra attentive to birds, whereas nonetheless getting nice photographs, I head out with my binoculars and bridge digital camera.
Typically costing between $500 and $1,700, these mid-priced cameras “bridge the hole” between customary point-and-shoots and extra superior and costly digital camera our bodies with their arsenal of interchangeable lenses. They function a set, versatile lens that offers chook photographers what we want most: zoom—way over what’s customary on a cellphone or the 3x, 4x, or 10x zoom of an ordinary point-and-shoot digital camera.
These cameras can seize respectable photographs of a distant rarity, a perplexing gull, or a close-by songbird, in addition to bugs and different small wonders in nature. Their photos are sometimes sharp sufficient for impressing on social media, adding to an eBird list, or fixing chook identification issues.
Your photographs received’t measure as much as the luster and element of these produced with skilled gear. However with apply and endurance amongst birds, bridge digital camera photographs can certainly be worthy of an image body. Right here’s the best way to get began.
Select a Digital camera
Decide a bridge digital camera based mostly in your funds and desires. A 24x zoom is sufficient, and 60x or so (such because the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS) tends to be customary and greatest for many birders. Even increased zooms (such because the 83x Nikon COOLPIX P950) may be good, however include tradeoffs: higher weight, bulk, and value.
Behind the lens, all worthy bridge cameras ought to embody a collection of normal important options, together with a viewfinder and guide controls just like these on extra superior gear. One notable choice to contemplate is sensor dimension. A couple of fashions function a “1-inch” sensor, such because the acclaimed 25x Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV. These bigger sensors produce higher photos than sibling cameras, particularly in poor gentle, however you’ll pay extra for the digital camera.
Choose the Greatest Settings
These super-zooms can certainly seize first rate photos of their AUTO modes. However primary images information in your half will make it easier to use the digital camera to its full potential. You’ll additionally spend much less time twiddling with buttons, dials, and menus. So, on the very least:
• Shoot in burst mode, which lets you seize a lot of photographs as you maintain down the shutter. The professionals shoot this manner. Roughly one in 10 of our photographs are keepers (so don’t really feel too dangerous about your individual misses).
• Study the necessities of shutter velocity, aperture, and ISO. As a result of the small sensors on these cameras want gentle to make their greatest photographs, shoot in aperture precedence with the lens as wide-open as attainable.
• Set the digital camera to measure gentle (and due to this fact “determine” the best way to expose the picture) on the chook itself and fewer so on its environment. In digital camera parlance, that’s typically referred to as “spot” or “center-weighted” metering.
Arrange Your Shot
Your most important ally is gentle. Daylight low and at your again is mostly greatest for nature images—and particularly so with a bridge digital camera owing to its smaller sensor and stuck lens. Your greatest photographs, even appropriate for framing, will most certainly be of comparatively nonetheless birds within the open and bathed in low, angled daylight. However with apply and good gentle, it’s also possible to get nice flight images.
On cloudy days and with backlit birds, bridge cameras will definitely get the photograph, however don’t anticipate it to make any journal covers. These cameras merely aren’t in the identical league as higher-end shopper or skilled gear—so set your expectations accordingly.
Go Past Birds
Bridge cameras additionally work remarkably properly for up-close macro images. With its lens solely inches from a plant, insect, or different tiny topic, the digital camera captures magnificent element. However utilizing the zoom is an alternative choice for insect photographers. No have to method the butterfly or dragonfly for that in-tight macro photograph (and probably scare it off). As a substitute, stand again, zoom, and get your shot.
A model of this piece initially ran within the Summer time 2024 situation. To obtain our print journal, change into a member by making a donation today.