Photo at top page: Lesbos beautiful bird paradise in the Mediterranean Sea. Nikon D300 Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 equivalent 75mm. At the bottom of the page you can see a picture of Bee Eaters at Lesbos at about 20 meter. Those two pictures illustrate the enormous difference in reach (bereik) and perspective when using different combinations camera-lens-converter.

DSLR or mirrorless?

A DSLR is a system camera (interchangeable lenses) using a mirror and prisma for its optical viewfinder (zoeker) and a mechanical shutter. It uses an image sensor but also needs a separate autofocus sensor. Nikon DSLR’s use “F-mount“ (F-bajonet) lenses. Canon DSLR’s use their “E-mount” lenses, etcetera.

An MLC is a mirrorless system camera (interchangable lenses) uses no mirror and prisma but a high resolution Electronic Viewfinder “EVF”(electronische zoeker ). Once you get used to the clear and brilliant view you get using this high resolution mini TV, it is hard to switch back to the old familiar optical viewfinder of a mirror camera as good as it may be, like a D500 or D750. The EVF of an MLC is a significant improvement in bird photography not only when working in low light situations but definitely also in clear sunlight!

Market leading brands like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica, Panasonic and Nikon are clearly moving away from the DSLR concept and investing in extending their mirrorless camera’s and compatible lenses. For example Nikons S class Z Mount lenses are side by side lighter but also optically superior when compared to their F Mount counterparts.

The autofocus function of an MLC is integrated at the one and only sensor in the camera. An MLC also has an electronic shutter so it can operate at exceptionally high burst rates (as long as databus and data buffer can keep up). An MLC is usually smaller and lighter than a DSLR but has comparable or superior functionality and quality and is lighter. MLC Lenses have significant higher optical quality like the S class lenses of Nikons Z Series MLC’s. Nikon Z Series MLC’s have a substantially larger Z-mount (Z-lensvatting) for light transmission than classical F-mount camera’s and lenses do.

So both, DSLR’s and MLC’s, are system camera’s (systeem camera’s). One can interchange and mount lenses as long as they use a compatible lens mount (lensvatting). Nikon uses its F-mount lenses on its DSLR’s, a different CX-mount on System 1 MLC’s and lately Z-mount lenses on its Z series MLC‘s.

Lens mounts (lensvattingen) are important. The diameter of their opening determines the amount of light transmitted onto the sensor and they fixate the distance between lens and image sensor . Mount adapters like FT1 (F mount To Nikon System 1 Series) or FTZ (F mount To System Z) also transfer electronic control signals for APERTURE, autofocus and stabilisation of the lens. Canon uses its “E-mount“, Panasonics four thirds MLC’s like the the G3, a great MLC and popular amongst digiscopers – the other “digiscoping champion” being Nikons System 1 V1. Sony uses yet another mount, etcetera. Numerous adapters exist to interchange lenses in between camera brands.

Reach (bereik) of various camera’s

Reach (bereik) is key in bird photography. In this context some facts about Nikon camera’s and converters are important:

• AnAPS-C type image sensor with an image area (beeldoppervlak) 24 x 16 mm is significantly smaller than a full frame sensor with 36 x 24 mm surface. This results in a so called crop factor 1.5 which contributes substantially to the relatively large reach (bereik) of Z50 and Z7. Detailed explanation: 6 Reach. Nikon Series 1 MLC‘s have an even larger crop factor 2.7 and 9 x 13 mm surface (Rounded figures).

• The usage of converters is always a trade off in bird photography because it may decrease image quality. However using high quality converters in combination with high quality lenses like Nikkor 300mm f/4D, Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF VR, Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR and Nikon Z System S-class tele lenses (and some other Z lenses) is definitely worthwhile trying out. Nikon claims that the resolution of Nikkor 500mm PF VR f/5.6E PF VR will not degrade when using converter TC-14E type III. In our experiencne this is true. Anyway we are regarding this Nikkor 500mm PF VR f/5.6E PF VR more or less as our poor man’s 700mm f/8 super telelens (with build-out converter).

More about Z50

Affordable APS-C type MLC with good grip, also with F-mount lenses. High resolution electronic viewfinder “EVF” extraordinary useful in good light and low light circumstances. Speed 9 FPS, data buffer qqq. Two card slots. We have been using it for many years now. High quality pictures ISO range 100 – 51.200. Based on an improved D500 image sensor. Autofocus sensor has been integrated at this sensor.

We are experiencing two problems: No Multiselector Lock switch like at D500, so from timt to time you have to press OK button to reposition AF selector in the centre of the image viewer. Also somewhat restricted tracking AF potential and subject tracking speed yet. Nevertheless the Z50 is a very fine camera in lightweight bird photography. We have been using it for ears now and mostly with F mount tele lenses and FTZ adapter.

Neverthe less this Z50 has rightfully received an EISA award for price/performance.

More about Z7 II

Supports TC-20E III. Two EXPEED processors. Two card slots. Fast reliable autofocus. Reach slightly over Z50 because of 46Mp. Not yet as good as Canon, Fujifilm, etc, regarding tracking. Apart from that great camera for lightweight bird photography. Battery grip with control buttons.Price body 4Q2022 3000 dollar.

Examples of pictures at relatively large distance using DSLR’s, MLC’s and digiscoping

(click -> open picture, > < next previous picture, i -> settings camera + lens, “Full size” -> full screen, x-> exit picture)

Overview DSLR’s and MLC’s suitable for lightweight (bird) photography used by us:

Nikon DSLR's & MLC's bird photography

Camera	type	MP	"APS-C MP"	crop	pixel pitch	FPS	buffer	gram	note
D300(S)	DSLR	12.3	12.3	1.5	5.5	6		840
D7200	DSLR	24	24	1.5	3.9	8		780
D800	DSLR	36	16	1.0	4.9	5		900
D500	DSLR	21	21	1.5	4.2	10	30	860	AF á la D5
Z50	MLC	21	21	1.5	4.2	10		450	also TC-20E III
Z5	MLC	24.3	9.5	1.0	6.0	qqq	qqq z50 buffer	qqq	also TC-20E III
Z6	MLC	24.5	9.5	1.0	6.0	12		675	also TC-20E III
Z6 II	MLC	24.5	9.5	1.0	6.0	14		705	also TC-20E III
Z7	MLC	45.7	21	1.0	4.3	10		825	TC-20E III
Z7 II	MLC	45.7	21	1.0	4.3	14		qqq	TC-20E III. Two EXPEED.
Z8	MLC	qqq	qqq	qqq	qqq	qqq
Z9	MLC	50.1	22	1.0	qqq	qqq		qqq	also TC-20E III
G3	MLC	16		2.0	-	-		-	ideal for digiscoping
D850	@dik qqq
D750	@dik qqq								great tracking!
Z50 II	MLC	21	21	1.5	4.4	30	200	550	EXPEED 7, articulating LCD

The pixel pitch is the distance in micrometers between the centres or two neighbour photo sites (micro- electronische beeldpunt circuits) on the image sensor of a digital camera. The larger these photo sites the more information they will record and the less noise (ruis) the signal will relatively contain. A relatively large pixel pitch is an indication of a high quality image sensor.

The size of the RAW buffer in combination with the frames per second rate, FPS, determines the so called in action photography very important “sustained burst rate” of a camera. As an example: a D500 can photograph and store a burst off about 40 RAW frames in 2 seconds. There’after it will start shooting at a lower speed because RAW files in the buffer have to be transferred via the D500 data bus to the XQD or SD card in parallel with the transfer from image sensor to D500 data buffer.

DSLR‘s like D500 are using an image sensor and a dedicated autofocus sensor whereas MLC’s like Z50 and Z7 II have the autofocus function integrated at their one and only sensor.

Highlights Nikon camera’s bird photography suitable for lightweight bird photography (chronological order)

• D300(S) good old DSLR 12 Mp, still good starters camera.
• D7200 better old 24 Mp DSLR, significantly better sensor, also still a good starters camera.
• D500 robust, semi pro, high image quality, reliable tracking 10 FPS (8 if focus/release priority focus).
• D750 reputed DSLR subject tracking champion.
• D850 top quality successor of the older full frame D800.
• V1 MLC 10 Mp, great digiscoping camera with 1 Nikkor with 18.5mm f/1.8.
• V3 MLC 18.5 Mp, supports TC-20E III also with Sigma/Tamron 600mm f/6.3, Nikkors 500mm f/5.6E.
• LX3 Panasonic digicompact 16 Mp excellent four thirds sensor, crop 2.0, great digiscoping camera.
• G3 Panasonic digicompact 16 Mp great sensor, crop 2.0, great digiscoping camera 20mm f/1.7.
• J5 MLC 21 Mp, good sensor, slow databus (!), no EVF (!), yet TC-20E III at Sigma/Tamron 600mm, Nikkors 500mm f/5.6E and pretty good image quality.
• Z7 full frame MLC, EVF, definitely not low budget, but definitely great camera with wide viewer field.
• Z6 full frame MLC, EVF, good grip, excellent subject tracking.
• Z7 II full frame MLC EVF, two EXPEED processors, two card slots, battery grip (not yet used by us).
• Z6 II full frame MLC, EVF, good grip, excellent subject tracking (not yet used by us)
• Z50 MLC, APS-C, good grip also with F-mount lenses, EVF, 9 FPS, EISA award price/performance.
• Z5 full frame MLC, EVF, 9MP APS-format normalised, great camera (not yet used by us).
• Z9 full frame MLC, EVF, Nikon flagship, expensive, (not used by us).
• Z3 APS-C type MLC, EVF, small, low budget, (not used by us)
• Z8 full frame MLC, (specs not yet announced Nov 2022).

Image sensors Nikon: Full Frame (“FX“), APS-C type (“DX”), (more or less obsolete) CX-format System 1

The main sensor in a digital camera is the image sensor. It contains millions of pixels (beeldpunten), originally electronic circuits producing an electronic signal that, converted into digital bytes, eventually is stored as a RAW or JPG format file on the memory card of the camera. Image sensors have quite different formats. A full frame image sensor measures 36 x 24 mm (rounded figures), equal to that of a classical diapositive 35mm smallfilm photograph. Many camera’s including MLC’s are built around a full frame image sensor. They are more expensive but have significant advantages in (semi) professional bird photography. You can for example:

• Produce high quality large prints or screen images if you need those.

• Use a relatively large viewfinder that gives you a larger field of view. Example in the field: at a distance of 10 meter a from left to right horizontally fast flying Great Spotted Woodpecker (Grote Bonte Specht) will cover about 2/3 (66%) part of the width of the viewfinder of an APS-C type D500 Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR. Using a full frame camera like D800 it will cover only 1/1.5 = 4/9 (45%) part of the viewfinder. This may look not seem to be a great difference but this really matters in bird action photography: you get far fewer action pictures with a bird missing head or tail because the bird stays longer “in the picture”.

MLC’s in bird photography

Nikons older type System 1 MLC’s have exceptionally large reach (bereik) as we already explained. Look for example at the picture of the Bee-eaters at the bottom of this page. We have used Nikons – at the time rather revolutionary – System 1 V3 from the first day it was available in Holland in 2014 and still use it occasionally next to our System 1 J5, wich is based on a predecessor of the D500 image sensor. This way we get 35mm equivalents up to 2270 mm using Tamron G2 or Sigma Sport 600mm or Nikkor 300mm TC-20E III. Of course there is some degradation in overall image quality when using converters and some bird photographers never ever will use them, but in our situation the amount of detail is often important for example like when photographing (and not disturbing) the nest of a White-tailed Eagle (Zeearend) at over 200 meter or of an UHU (Oehoe) with juveniles at about 40 meter or a Honeybuzzard (Wespendief) near its nest at about 50 meter.

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Pictures using different combinations camera-lens-converter and digiscoping at various distances

Picture of Bee-eaters at 25 meter:

At the time we were mostly using Nikons DSLR D500 or MLC Z50 (both camera’s having the same image sensor and occasionally full frame MLC Z7. This way we got 35mm equivalents up to 1500mm using pro quality Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF VR.

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