They say this is good for birds/wildlife yet I keep reading how slow it is? So how are people getting nature in movement. Or is sigma misrepresenting?
1801933
This is a great lens, particularly at this price. It is tack sharp even at 500mm. You can compensate for the "smaller" aperture by either slower shutter speed (in which case a tripod may be required), or higher ISO. For tripod use I suggest a gimbal head that is designed to accept the built in arca swiss mounting plate on the lens collar. ISO up to 3200 should be OK on modern (last 5-7 years) DSLRs unless you're making really big prints.
1801934
I used this lens at the Air Show last month. The featured demonstration team was the Air Force Thunderbirds. This lens had no problem keeping up with the fast pace of the F-16 jets.
1801935
By slow I am sure they meant the aperture and not the speed of focusing. My lens focuses fast but in low light situations it can hunt a lot. There are few lenses except for the exotic lenses that are faster than F4.5 but at the long end (500mm) at F6.3 it may be problematic in evening or early morning shooting while trying to focus (depending on the camera and it's focusing limitations).
853190
This is great for birds but think of it as a chipmunk trap! The first year I used it, I didn't tie it round the base of my blueberry trees and I killed 3 chipmunks, they got caught in it and died a really nasty death. Now I tie it round the base of my trees, problem solved - no birds, no dead chipmunks and my blueberries are safe. We have plenty of squirrels but they don't bother the blueberries so I'm not sure about them. I do also open an old cassette tape and tie bits of the tape to to tree - the birds hate it. Hope this helps.
1578651
It did not seem to work terribly well for me, but I saw other posts saying it did. The cost isn't too much so if you can afford it, I'd give it a whirl. My vet told me to get those little film canisters (from rolls) and drill holes in them, put a cotton ball inside and saturate it with the product. I put them around the perimeter of the house and sprayed as well. I think the hope is, in the containers, the product will last longer as the rain won't rinse it away. I had pretty good luck with the Scare Crow motion sensor outdoor sprinkler if you'd like to try that. Good luck and God's blessings! It did not seem to work terribly well for me, but I saw other posts saying it did. The cost isn't too much so if you can afford it, I'd give it a whirl. My vet told me to get those little film canisters (from rolls) and drill holes in them, put a cotton ball inside and saturate it with the product. I put them around the perimeter of the house and sprayed as well. I think the hope is, in the containers, the product will last longer as the rain won't rinse it away. I had pretty good luck with the Scare Crow motion sensor outdoor sprinkler if you'd like to try that. Good luck and God's blessings!
2250762
It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants. It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you... » Read More It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants. « Show Less
948045
yes it would be good for birding. We have a cabin in the mountains that overlooks a small valley. We sit on the balcony with the scope on a tripod and watch alot of wildlife with it. Have fun with it. They have alot of accessories to add to the experience. I cant wait to get some of them. Take care!
992076
I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which I never have to do as the birds empty feeder daily. I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which... » Read More I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which I never have to do as the birds empty feeder daily. « Show Less
992082
If you're attracting doves and other ground feeders.... simply sprinkle your feed on the ground or get a bird block. Otherwise, personal taste. I like the tubes with perches for the other birds. Get a quality tube feed if you go that route. The cheap ones are quickly devoured by the sun. Tomas in Tucson
1790478
Hello Jessica, my little farm is located in a pretty developed part of our city, not many Mountain Lions here, sorry don't have any 1st hand knowledge on that effectiveness. I will attest to the fact that neighbors with Chickens across the street have lost several birds to owls and hawks and I have not lost any.... I am also very happy with their durability, had mine for nearly 2 years and they work as good as new.
1204799
I just put mine up this fall, still waiting to see if it gets used this nesting season. I will let you know if it does. I have it in the middle of my honeysuckle vine on my fence about 4 feet up off the ground. I have lots of Cardinals in my backyard so I'm hoping they check it out.
1679987
Not sure, early spring I guess. I didn't get anything. Maybe I don't have enough trees by the house. Also pick a spot where you have blinds or something so the bird isn't turned off by light and activity in your home. Maybe pick a window that is away from the busy areas of your home.
1498014
It's well made, but younger children should be supervised using it since it's not a toy. Good for nature/bird watching etc. The good thing about this unit is it's inexpensive and actually works as apposed to the toy ones they make or children.
1690188
i use it to look at birds and wildlife around a nearby lake. For its size it comes apart and reassembles fairly quickly and easily fits in a hiking backpack(what i use to carry it)If the images are upside down make sure you assembled it correctly.
298684
While we're not full-time bird watchers, we use them to watch various forms of wildlife including birds and they work very well, focus in quickly, and let you track easily with the subject's movements. That, combined with their compact size, would make them perfect for what you are looking for in this price range.
1127051
I don't know the technical answer to that so you should google that and see what comes back, however, I do have two that are in the sun for a good part of the day and the birds seem to enjoy them and the group hasn't gotten any thinner.
483511
Yes, I bought this specifically for that purpose. The birdwatching mode has given me many more "keepers" than my p500. It seems to focus easily on the bird, ignoring fairground twigs and background objects. Great feather detail. Best of all: AMAZING reach. I love it!
1111324
I honestly don't know. I haven't had any birds either. I am waiting for the cooler fall weather to get here. I was thinking that when natural food becomes scarce they will learn how to get the food. We had a late spring here in Colorado. Right now all the natural food is plentiful. I realize that this doesn't really answer your question but it is the best I could do.
622011
I use a Revelli, don't know the model but probably got it from Amazon, but don't necessarily recommend it for birdwatching because it is heavy. Birdwatching usually involves a lot of walking & a telescope/tripod combination has to be a compromise between steadiness & portability. Because of my age I don't go on long walks any more & confine birdwatching to my back yard. I also use the tripod for photography & it is good & steady for that.