This “quick start” may give you all the practical benefits when using either APERTURE Mode Birds Reach or APERTURE Mode Birds Action but when using it you probably may not always completely understand why and what you are doing. But it works! Use this way for example if you want to use your lightweight equipment right away but prefer to study, part or all, of these advanced modes later. Anyway we wish you whole hearted good luck with the birds …

If you want to get started right away and you have got the right equipment, go ahead as follows:

1. Use your current lightweight combination or acquire a combination of D500, Z50, Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF VR, Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR, Z Nikkor 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR, TC-14E II / III or TC-20E III or any Nikobn combination more or less cmpatible with one of those two, DSLR or Z Mirrorless, Nikkor 300mm or Nikkor 500mm or something the like.

2. Apply the relevant settings to your equipment: like Settings Z50 or Settings D500 or Settings lenses.

3. Always use at least minimum camouflage: Hat, gloves, camouflaged equipment. Anyway avoid birds noticing your moving face, hands, lens or tripod legs! Typically gloves are important if you expect photographing small shy birds like Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Shrikes, Wheatears or Bearded Tits. This type of birds often leaves the scene right away when you are moving your hands holding tripod or camera!

4. When birding and everywhere you go:

• Know and timely recognise birds, their sounds, locations, feeding, breeding, drinking, hunting, fishing & resting spots and areas, their seasons and migration.

• Use your own favourite Bird Guide or look at page Literature or page Bird speciesrd species at this site when you need more informatin about certain species you are looking foe or you observe.

5. During bird photography use one of two methods (both using only one hand and dcontrolliing camera using only Secondary Dial & Release button in either of two advanced APERTURE modes which elimininate the need for continuous check and reset of camera and lens:

• APERTURE Mode Reach if, amongst other things, you need maximum reach for small birds far away.

• APERTURE Mode Action if you expect sudden action or fast moving birds.

6. Only if the situation changes significantly (backlight <=> direct light, sun <=> heavy overcast, etcetera):

• Use EXPOSURE TIME adjustment +/- button (re-assigned to backwheel camera in both Birds Modes) for adjustment EXPOSURE TIME. This is a quick and safe method as opposed to using the rahter small +/- button.

—