Shorebird Photography Is 400mm Long Enough

I often ask myself whether the Nikon FL 400mm 2.8 is long enough for bird photography. The bokeh and sharpness of the lens is unparalleled. But combining with TCs - does it cover all scenarios? Join me on a shorebird photography session to find out

[@hholton7245]

Super images Jimmy - great inspiration for my next outing, thanks.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Thanks H, Winter wildfowl on the way - hope to get back out to do some wetland photograohy too at some stage over the next few months. Jimmy

[@ThomasSchwarzFotografie]

Beautiful wildlife footage and photos 😍 Thanks for sharing! I will gladly leave a subscription 😉👍

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Thanks Thomas, Coming from a fellow wildlife photographer I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. Jimmy

[@stephenlennon447]

Great video Jimmy and beautiful images.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Thanks Stephen, Much appreciated Jimmy

[@MarkRomine]

Beautiful images, thanks for sharing.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Thanks Mark, Jimmy

[@CamillaI]

I had to choose between the 400mm & 600mm and for small birds here in the UK. I am very glad I went for the 600mm, but it depends what you photograph . I now get to 420 mm using the 1.4 TC on the 300mm f2.8 giving me a f4 420mm. Awesome but not such good bokeh at f4 . Light weight though 🙂

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Camilla, Thats a great combination of lenses and options you have.You’re spot on with the 600mm for any birds - one of these days when the numbers come in! Jimmy

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

Some beautiful photos, for me a lens like the f2.8 400 mm prime is above my budget and in many of the areas I photograph birds they tend to be more than one bird in the photo so to get a good photo i have to use an f stop of 5.6 or higher or else the photo doesn't work. A park near my house has a stream running along the outer perimeter and in the spring i have been able to photograph a female duck with her duckings, at times she may have as many as eighth with her so to get them in focus i have to shoot above f5.6 and that requires a iso of 1600 or more depending upon the lighting.

[@robhowardphotography6439]

New Subsciber here Jimmy. Loved the video ! Hows the weight of the 400/2.8 ? I had a Canon one a fair few years ago now and it was a workout !

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Rob, Thanks for subscribing. It’s the Nikon FL model - old enough now but weighs 3.8 kg. I can carry around easily enough on a day out but need to be mindful of other gear I bring for weight. We were up in the Isle of Lewis a few years ago - what a spot. Great images. Jimmy

[@robhowardphotography6439]

@@jimmymcdonnell9435 cheers. Yeah it's pretty special here !

[@tomking3800]

Jimmy. One word WOW

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Thanks Tom, Really appreciate that. Hopefully will journey back down to Wexford when the winter wildfowl come in. Jimmy

[@ShirleyCronin]

You need a floating hide Jimmy! 🙂

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Don’t be putting ideas like that in my head, Shirley. You might be right though! Talk soon, Jimmy

[@7towhid]

what's the tripod you're using?

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Towhid, It’s a Benro Rhino Jimmy

[@7towhid]

@@jimmymcdonnell9435 thanks but i was asking about the grounded blue one you used in this video

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Towhid, The ballhead is a Novoflex Magicball. I also use a Novoflex Triopod with screw in mini legs. Check out Robert Thompson photography detailed guide to their products. Robert’s macro photography is superb - a master of the genre. Hope this helps. Jimmy

[@mr.diogorossi]

👏🏼🔝

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

I was quirious as to how many body parts i would have to sell for a 400mm f 2.8, I looked at the Canon for DSLR's thinking that it would be cheaper because mirrorless cameras are what people are going to, the 400mm f2.8 for DSLR'S IS still 12,000 dollars, a 300mm f2.8 Sony lens for mirrorless, 6,000 dollars, i don't think either one will be in my camera bag unless I win a lottery, that being said my 100-400mm Fujifilm works great and I have a Fujifilm 1x4 converter being delivered this Sunday.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi James, I used a 100-400 Nikon on a recent holiday for wildlife and it was stunning. The big primes really come into there own for low light photography. My 4002.8 is an old lens now - believe me I won’t be replacing it as the cost is prohibitive. Jimmy

[@reyansofi8835]

Can we be a friend sir ❤

[@winz7768]

牛

[@glennhunt3595]

I can see why you sacraficed the extra mm's for that beautiful soft background Jimmy, looked like the day was going nowhere but to capture those images I'd say it turned out a very productive visit. And what a couple of great species to get.👌

[@djayatu]

But sir, all the pictures he showed us here have been taken with 5.6 aperture and still producing great bokeh.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Glenn, Wexford in September always produces some American vagrant migrants. The 2.8 really shines when very close up. Really appreciate the comment Jimmy

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Hi Djayatu, Good point! But at 2.8 it would be a little better. Jimmy

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

It would indeed. Thanks for highlighting Jimmy