Anyone using Sony 6300/6500 or Fuji XT20 for BIF???

[Billabong]

I know a DSLR will have better focus and better ability to track birds through the viewfinder during a burst but I was just wondering if anyone has decided that lighter weight is more important so has made the switch to one of these cameras? If so, how are they for BIF?

 

[twist]

I know a DSLR will have better focus and better ability to track birds through the viewfinder during a burst but I was just wondering if anyone has decided that lighter weight is more important so has made the switch to one of these cameras? If so, how are they for BIF?

Check what lens options there are first.

 

[mikew]

I dont use any of the ones you mention but i do BIF with a Panasonic G80 and 100-400,it is possible but its a steep learning curve after a DSLR and not all mirrorless cameras are very good at it,its also important to get a lens with a fast focus motor in it,a couple from the G80.





One from the EM10MK11 but it does not have a useful CAF

 

[Billabong]

@mikew Wow - stunning shots! What did you have before the G80? And what do you reckon your success rate is now compared to before?

I had a look at a 7D2 body today and immediately thought how heavy it was!

 

[mikew]

@mikew Wow - stunning shots! What did you have before the G80? And what do you reckon your success rate is now compared to before?

I had a look at a 7D2 body today and immediately thought how heavy it was!

Before going mirrorless i was a Nikon user for possibly 40 years but i got to the point it was just too heavy with something like a 150-600 on,at the moment i have had a problem with my 100-400 and am waiting for a replacement (these things can happen with any gear) my LCS loaned me a D7100 and 70-300 i have used it once but believe it or not its just too slow.
Mirrorless AF is contrast based only on most cameras and its not good enough for CAF, Olympus on their top model have added phase detect points and that vastly improves its AF speed, Panasonic is contrast only but they have something called DFD which works very well.

The first couple of weeks with mirrorless i thought what the hell have i done this is hopeless,then i decided it was that or nothing so i decided to make it work as best as i could now i am very pleased with it's speed and accuracy.

Looking at your first post i thought you where a DSLR user that wanted to lighten your load,your last post makes me think you are possibly just entering the field in which case my honest answer has to be keep looking at mid to top end DSLRs i am sure one big factor with my BIF on mirrorless was my previous experience and knowing in the back of my mind i should be able to crack this.

 

[Billabong]

Thanks @mikew I've had DSLRs for years but just haven't done much photography for the last few years. Several years ago I had a Nikon D200 and Nikon 80-400 which was ok but a bit slow for a lot of BIF. I currently have a Canon 500D and my longest lens is a Canon 70-300. Again too slow for BIF. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the end of last year and I subsequently lost a couple of stone, mostly muscle mass! Having decided that I want to do some more photography, including BIF, I've been looking around at the options. I started looking for a lighter setup and plunged headlong into the world of web reviews. I started off looking at a used E-M1 mark 1 to pair with a Panasonc 100-400 but ruled it out because of problems with updating Panasonic lenses on Olympus bodies and possibly not fast enough autofocus. I then thought that a new G80 would probably be better, until I found reviews showing that the best non-DSLR autofocus systems are found on the Sony A6300/6500 and the Fuji XT (XT20 is what I've been looking at). The Sony 100-400 lens is extortionate and the Fuji is more limited on lens choice. Most people seem to recommend sticking with a DSLR which I know will provide the best autofocus and won't have the EVF issue of tracking during a burst, but the cost is obviously weight. So my dilemna continues. I know the best system for my purposes would be a 7D2 with either a Canon 100-400 mark 2 or a Canon 400 F5.6, but that's a heavy combo. Having a G80 and 100-400 would be much more portable, but then I may end up frustrated by lack of success. Not an easy one to decide, especially given the costs involved!

 

[mikew]

Sorry to hear of your problems hope all goes well with you.

I jokingly say you need to use the force i never now put the camera to my eye thinking i will not get that or the EVF wont keep up,ok sometimes i dont get it but then again i didnt get them all with a DSLR i just do it.

Looking at weight if i wanted to go back to DSLRs and the new Sigma 100-400 turned out ok i would look at a Nikon D500 and the Sigma which is 500g heavier than my Panasonic.

All mirrorless focusing is very fast on SAF but you need something adding for good CAF,the Olympus EM1MK11 could be the best but then it needs to be at that price.

I knew i would need a zoom for the areas i go so that was Panasonic as far as i was concerned and decided i may as well go with their body after deciding it would not be a great loss if i changed body later.

Two of the biggest things needed are the camera set up in a way that makes it work fast and a fast motor in the lens.