Bird Photography for Beginners: What You Need to Know
Bird photography doesn’t always require oversized lenses or hours of waiting in hiding to get the best shot. With a lightweight Canon mirrorless camera and a compact telephoto lens like the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6, you can move quickly and respond to opportunities as they happen. And here at National Store, we make it easy to find the right Canon lenses and gear to help you get started!
Gather your gear
The Canon EOS R100 is a great starting point if you’re moving from smartphone photography to your first camera, especially when paired with a lightweight zoom lens like the Canon RF 75-300mm F4-5.6. Both are easy to use, even when you shoot through the viewfinder under bright sunlight. This combination also shows more detail that smartphones can’t catch, such as feathers and colours, even the subtle movements in birds.
Familiarise yourself with bird behaviour
When photographing birds, avoid sudden gestures that might scare them off. The EOS R100, paired with Canon zoom lenses, allows you to keep a respectful distance while still getting close-up results. On an APS-C camera like the R100, the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 lens provides an effective field of view similar to 120-480mm. This gives you extra reach, making your subject appear larger in the frame without needing to physically move closer.
A zoom lens can be handy
Think of a telephoto lens as the camera version of binoculars. It narrows the field of view, bringing your subject closer and making small birds appear much larger in your photo. The trade-off is that it can be harder to track fast-moving birds while zoomed in.
With a zoom lens like the Canon RF 75-300mm F4-5.6, you can start with a wider angle to spot your subject, then zoom in to frame it precisely. The twist-action zoom makes it quick and intuitive, helping you react to movement without missing the shot.
Use your camera’s burst function
Shooting in short bursts can increase your success rate. Switch to Sport mode and hold down the shutter to let your camera take a sequence of shots. Later, you can pick the sharpest or most dynamic frame from the set.
Get beginner-friendly gear for bird photography
National Store can be your first stop in your bird photography journey. We’re here to help find the right Canon lenses and cameras that suit your needs and budget. As an authorised Canon distributor in the UAE, we offer expert advice and access to the latest equipment. Visit one of our retail locations to get started today.