Are you looking for an affordable hard case to protect your camera and lens? If so I highly recommend the Plano 1612 Field Box.
Ever since I bought my DSLR I searched for an affordable hard case to protect my investment. The problem was most of the hard cases I found at camera stores started at about $80 and in my opinion didn’t look like they offered much protection. To get something that looked well-made, solid, and would actually protect a camera cost in the several hundred dollar range. It seems dumb I know to cheap out on a case to protect an expensive camera and lens but I was hesitant to spend that kind of money.
A hard case is a great investment to protect your expensive camera and lens.
One day while shopping at Bass Pro Shops for fishing tackle I saw a display featuring the Plano 1612 Field Box. These hard plastic boxes were well-made, well-built, and well-priced. Being a fisherman I’m very familiar with the Plano name and have been using their tackle boxes since I was a kid. Over the years I’ve put my Plano tackle boxes through a lot of abuse with no issues. In fact, the only reason I’ve had to replace them is when I accumulate too much tackle and need a bigger box. Looking at the size of these field boxes which are designed for ammunition and other hunting accessories, I knew my Canon 7D, 100-400mm, and the soft case I keep them in would fit in no problem. Seeing the price I knew my search for a hard camera case was over.
Keeping my camera and lens in a hard case gives me peace of mind knowing that my gear is well protected.
I’ve been using this box for about 7 years now and it has done a great job keeping my camera and lens safe. The hard plastic protects against strikes to the outside of the case which is very useful when packing a carload of gear for vacation. I no longer have to worry about items I stack up in the back of the car damaging my camera if they topple over while driving. The hinge and latch are very sturdy and this box still looks like it did the day I bought it. Another handy feature of this box is the smaller storage compartment incorporated into the lid. This is where I keep a spare memory card, a lens pen, and any other small accessories I want handy.
The Plano 1612 Field Box is incredibly functional and can be used to store and protect a variety of items.
This case is so practical and functional its uses go far beyond hunting and photography. If you are looking for an incredibly affordable, well-made box to store almost anything, I highly recommend checking out this Plano field box.
Good birding,
Paul
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
This Common Loon was photographed with my new Tamron 100-400mm lens.
Since late November, I’ve been shooting with a newTamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. I bought this lens to replace my Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the old version with the push-pull zoom) I’ve been using for wildlife photography since 2012. I’ve loved my Canon ever since the day I unboxed it. This lens has everything I wanted, long reach, fast autofocus, reasonably lightweight, and since I bought it after the Mark II version came out the price was much more affordable. I’ve taken thousands of images with this lens and it served me well over the years. Any images shot with this lens I wasn’t happy with certainly were not the fault of the lens. I planned to keep using this lens for as long as possible as I was completely satisfied with my investment.
Cedar Waxwing photographed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Camera settings: 1/1600 ISO 1000 f/8 at 312mm.
If I love my Canon so much why am I replacing it? In late summer 2020 on a hike in Algonquin Park, the autofocus stopped working. I checked the switches on the side of the camera, tried turning the camera off and on, and even removed and remounted the lens. Still nothing. I used the lens in manual focus for the remainder of the day and upon returning to my trailer I once again removed the lens and cleaned the contacts on both the camera and the lens. Still no autofocus.
Achieving focus quickly on small songbirds is no problem with the Tamron 100-400mm.
I contacted Canon and they recommended sending it to their repair centre and they would give me an estimate to fix it. Not having $3000 for the new Canon 100-400mm and unsure about having mine repaired I began to explore my options.
At roughly 1/3 the price of the Canon equivalent the image quality and focus speed of the Tamron is quite impressive.
Looking at reviews on YouTube from other photographers I follow, I saw good things about both the Sigma 100-400mm and Tamron 100-400mm. These two alternatives cost roughly 1/3 of what the new Canon 100-400mm does. I was a bit skeptical about these lenses as I’ve never owned a third-party lens and to be honest the low price point scared me too. After watching several videos and looking at images taken with both the Sigma and the Tamron I had made up my mind I was going to get one of these to replace my beloved Canon but which one? I flip-flopped back and forth I don’t know how many times but ultimately decided on the Tamron for two reasons. First, the Tamron is constructed of a magnesium alloy including a metal mount versus the Sigma’s composite material which I liked better. Second, from the reviews I watched, the focus speed was reported as a bit faster on the Tamron.
Quickly obtaining focus on a small nuthatch proved no problem for the Tamron 100-400mm.
A few days after placing my order, my new Tamron 100-400mm arrived at the door. After removing and discarding the outer packaging, sanitizing the box with a Lysol wipe, and washing my hands (we are in the middle of a pandemic after all) I placed it on the kitchen table for unboxing. As I removed it from the box it felt heavier than I expected as this lens only weighs 2.5 lbs but the build quality felt nice. I rushed downstairs and grabbed my Canon 100-400mm for comparison. The Tamron is slightly smaller in length, diameter, and weight although holding one in each hand the weight difference wasn’t really noticeable. As it was after dinner and dark outside I had to wait until the following day to put my new lens through its paces.
My biggest concern when purchasing the Tamron was focus speed. Having used it now for several months I am very impressed.
The next day I was treated to sunny skies and was excited to try out my new lens. I headed down to one of my favourite locations as I knew there would be plenty of birds present to photograph. My biggest concern with this lens was focus speed as I was used to the lightning-fast instantaneous focus of my Canon. After locating a few birds and firing some shots I was impressed with the focus speed. Does the Tamron focus as fast as my Canon? It is a hair slower, but honestly, the difference is marginal and night and day faster than a Canon 55-250mm kit lens. The Tamron focuses very fast. I did find on a few occasions the Tamron hunted for focus which did concern me. This was on account of the difference in close focusing distance between the Tamron and Canon and me getting used to the focus limiter switch. Now that I have grown accustomed to this I have no issues with the lens hunting.
American Black Duck 1/1000 f/8 ISO 800 at 400 mm.
I watched several Bald Eagles fly overhead presenting great opportunities to see how the Tamron performed with flight shots. Raising my camera I could not get the lens to focus on or even find the bird in the viewfinder. I found this odd as I was so used to the Canon grabbing focus so fast. It was as if the lens was not focussing far enough to find the eagles. I tried zooming out to 100mm and was able to locate the birds in the viewfinder. I then zoomed in to 400mmm and tried to achieve focus. I fired off multiple shots of the eagles using this approach and looking at my LCD screen on the back of the camera it appeared I wasn’t achieving focus. I was getting better results with static birds but the results seemed inconsistent.
Common Loon photographed in Algonquin Park with the Tamron 100-400mm
When I got home I uploaded the images to my computer to see how they looked as trusting your LCD screen is never a good idea. Inspecting the images I took of the eagles in flight guess how many were sharp? Zero! That’s right not one. With my Canon (with working autofocus) I would have missed only a handful. To say I was disappointed was a huge understatement. As far as the static birds, I got some sharp photos but again the results were inconsistent. It seemed the lens was front focusing or focussing short of the subject which would explain why I could not reach the eagles and the inconsistency in the case of some static birds.
This Downy Woodpecker was photographed early on a cloudy morning. Camera settings 1/500 f/8 ISO 800 at 400mm.
There is an optional tap-in console available for the Tamron 100-400mm that allows you to connect the lens to a computer and fine-tune the focus and I was wondering if I needed this accessory. Not being very techie, nor wanting to spend the extra money on the console I contacted the seller and explained my situation. I asked if I needed to buy the tap-in console or if performing the focus adjustments in-camera, an option on my Canon 7D would fix the problem. The gentleman I spoke to said to try the adjustments in-camera as using the tap-in console was tricky and I could make things worse. He said if the adjustments in-camera did not work to send the lens back for calibration.
Portrait of a Common Raven
I did some Googling and researched how to perform the focus adjustments. I felt overwhelmed as again I am not at all techie. Surprisingly, this was easier than I expected. All that was required was pressing a few buttons on the camera and taking some test shots and to be honest less of a hassle than repackaging the lens and taking it to the post office.
Despite all the branches I was still able to obtain focus on this Merlin’s eye quite quickly.
The next day I headed back out to see how the Tamron performed after making the adjustments. Instantly I noticed a huge difference as the lens focussed faster and more accurately than the day before. Once again a few eagles passed by overhead. Raising the lens I achieved focus quickly. Looking at the LCD screen I could see a difference in image quality from the previous day and was feeling better about my purchase.
When I bought this lens, I wanted to be sure I could still photograph birds in flight. I am very happy with the speed and accuracy of the autofocus of the Tamron.
Curious how this lens would perform and focus on another camera body, I tried the Tamron on my Canon Rebel T3i. I am happy to report the lens focussed quickly and flawlessly. The focusing issues I had the first day seemed to be more with my Canon 7D than the lens.
Photographing Bald Eagles along the Thames River is something I enjoy very much and this lens performs very well for this.
I have been using this lens for a few months now and can tell you I have no regrets. I’m more than happy with the focus speed and accuracy. After carrying the Tamron around all day I now notice the one 1 lb weight difference between it and my Canon.
Americal Kestrel photographed during the golden hour wide open at f/6.3.
Something else I am pleased with is the Tamron is sharper wide open than my Canon. The maximum aperture of my Canon is f5.6 and I never shoot it wide open as I’ve never been happy with the results. The Tamron’s maximum aperture is f/6.3 and I can say I am happy to shoot at this aperture. Like all lenses, the Tamron is sharper when stopped down a bit so I do prefer to shoot at f/8 or f/9 when light permits but in low light conditions I am confident shooting wide open at f/6.3. I am finding I can shoot at slower shutter speeds with the Tamron than the Canon and I think this may be due to the fact the lens is smaller and lighter; therefore, easier to hold steady. We’ve had a significant shortage of sunshine so far in 2021 and with my new Tamron, I am getting more keeper images in low light than I do with my Canon.
A small flock of robins has been overwintering near my home. In low light, early on a cloudy morning shooting wide open at aperture f/6.3, I am very pleased with the performance of the Tamron 100-400mm.
So what are the pros and cons of this lens? Let me start with the pros. Obviously, the price. At roughly 1/3 the price of the equivalent Canon or Nikon counterparts the Tamron is truly impressive. Is it as good as the first-party competitors? I can’t say as I have never used any of them (again, I own the old version of the Canon, not the Mark II) but for their price, I would hope they have something more to offer. Are they worth $2000 more? Maybe for a full-time professional photographer but me, I’d rather have the Tamron and not worry about putting food on the table for the next several months.
Photographing a Northern Cardinal at 1/250 is not something I would normally do. However, with the compact size and lightweight of the Tamron 100-400mm I can hold my camera and lens steady. 1/250 f/9 ISO 800 at 400mm.
The weight of this lens is another checkmark in the pro column. At only 2.5 lbs this lens is incredibly lightweight and a pleasure to carry around all day. If you are looking for a lightweight, easy to carry lens with a versatile zoom range and decent reach this is it. Tamron’s magnesium alloy construction is high-quality and this lens is very well made. Image quality, focus speed, image stabilization, and weather-sealing to protect the lens from the elements are more pros for this lens. Finally, the Tamron is available for either Canon or Nikon camera bodies depending on which manufacturer you shoot with.
If you are in the market for a telephoto zoom lens I highly recommend the Tamron 100-400mm.
Now for the cons. Clearly, the issue I had with the focussing is a con. That being said, fixing the issue was easier than I expected, and the issue was only with my Canon 7D and not my Canon T3i so perhaps the camera is more to blame than the lens. The only other con I can come up with is the lack of a tripod collar. This comes standard with the Canon and Nikon equivalents. For me, this is not an issue as I never use a tripod or monopod with this focal length lens plus the Tamron is so light it’s easy to shoot handheld. If you do prefer to shoot with a tripod or monopod a tripod collar is available as an option.
I am impressed in so many ways with the Tamron 100-400mm lens.
I am truly impressed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Focus speed, image quality, and build quality far exceed my expectations. Its compact size and lightweight are other things I absolutely love about this lens. It is a pleasure to carry around all day. For me, this is the perfect lens for my run and gun style of shooting. The Tamron’s 100-400mm range is incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of wildlife. If you are in the market for an amazing lens for taking on hikes and capturing wildlife in the 100-400mm range and you don’t have or don’t want to spend $3000, I definitely recommend the Tamron. After a few months with this lens, I have no regrets about my purchase and look forward to using the Tamron 100-400mm for years to come.
Good birding,
Paul
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
Binoculars make spotting small birds like the Common Redpoll much easier.
Binoculars are something every serious birder owns and shopping for a pair can be confusing. What do all the features and numbers mean, how do you know which ones to buy, and how much do you have to spend to get a good pair? Over the years, I have used several binoculars both good and bad and have found an affordable pair whose performance far exceeds their price tag.
The waterproof design of the Nikon Travelite is perfect for birding by water in my pack boat.
The Nikon Traveilite binoculars have impressed me in so many ways where do I begin. The fact they are waterproof is probably my favourite feature. Some of my best days birding during spring migration have been when rain grounds the birds and not having to worry about keeping my binoculars dry means I only have to focus on the birds. Not only are they waterproof the lenses are fog proof too.
Subtle differences in field marks like those of the White-throated Sparrow are more readily seen with a good pair of binoculars.
Birds appear close with the 8x magnification and a field of view of 330 feet at 1000 yards. I don’t like using binoculars that offer too much magnification as I have a hard time holding them steady and higher magnification magnifies not only the subject but any shake as well. For me, this renders high-powered binoculars useless as trying to identify a bird that appears to be moving up and down is virtually impossible. For this reason, 8x magnification for me is right on the money. The multi-coated lenses deliver clear bright images and I’ve always found multi-coated lenses easier to clean with less streaking.
Quality optics don’t have to cost a fortune, these Nikon’s are budget-friendly.
The adjustable eyecups are great especially if you wear glasses. With a simple twist of the eyecup, you can look through binoculars while leaving your glasses on. The rubber body is soft and comfortable on the hands and at only 12.5 ounces I barely notice them around my neck. These binoculars are incredibly compact and easily fit into a backpack, purse or even a coat pocket. Perhaps the best part is the price, these binoculars are incredibly affordable. The only bad thing I can say about these binoculars is the strap is a bit thin but with their lightweight, a more robust strap is not necessary.
PROS
Waterproof
Fog-proof
8x magnification brings the subject close while easy to hold steady
Multi-coated lenses for brighter images
Twist eyecups are great for eyeglass wearers
Comfortable rubber body
Compact design
Lightweight
Price
CONS
Strap is a bit thin (not really an issue)
Up your birding game with a pair of Nikon Travelite Binoculars.
Whether you are an avid birder or a beginner, these Nikon Travelite binoculars pack in more features than their price would suggest. If you are looking for your first pair of binoculars, a new pair of binoculars, or a lighter more compact pair of binoculars I suggest looking at the Nikon Travelite.
Good birding,
Paul
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
American Robins are one of my favourite subjects to find and photograph during the winter months. Having warm, dry feet makes this activity much more enjoyable.
Boots are one of the most important pieces of gear I use for birding in any season. Having dry, comfortable feet is a key element to an enjoyable outing, and having the right boots is imperative. Cold, wet feet will ruin a day of birding in a hurry so investing in a good pair of boots is as essential as good binoculars.
A light snowfall made for a beautiful setting to photograph these Mourning Doves.
Over the years I have tried several different boots with moderate degrees of satisfaction. My biggest issue with most boots I’ve tried isn’t that they weren’t warm or waterproof it was that they weren’t durable. Years ago, I found a pair of boots I loved. They were lightweight, warm, and waterproof; however, I never got more than a season out of them. When birding I walk a lot so I go through footwear faster than the average person, but even with this in mind, I was unhappy with their durability. This had me back to the drawing board and searching for new boots for my winter birding.
American Black Ducks are more abundant in the London area during the winter months.
The boots I wear now for my winter birding are theRocky Blizzard Stalker. These boots maintain breathability by allowing air to circulate in yet are still 100% waterproof. With 1200 g of Thinsulate insulation they are the warmest boots I’ve ever owned. The aggressive tread provides excellent traction and at 9″ tall they are great in deep snow.
I’m going into my 7th winter with the same pair and other than replacing the laces they are still in great shape, even the treads don’t look worn. These are by far the warmest, dryest winter boots I’ve ever owned and comfortable to walk in. I won’t argue, they are pricey but considering I’ve never complained of cold or wet feet since buying them and factor in how long I’ve had them on a cost per year basis, I consider them a bargain.
The American Tree Sparrow is one of my favourite sparrows and is only found in Southwestern Ontario during late fall and winter.
If you are considering the Rocky Blizzard Stalker there are a few things to keep in mind. They are a bit big and clunky but I wouldn’t say any more than boots of a similar style. Also, some may find them a bit heavy. I personally do not and have no problems walking all day in them. These boots in a size 10 are listed at 5.5 pounds for the pair which equates to 2.75 pounds per boot. Another thing I’ve noticed with these boots is they seem to run a bit large in terms of sizing. I wear a 9.5 shoe or boot and have since public school. Not available in half sizes I went with a 9 and they are a tad big. Given they have 1200 g of Thinsulate insulation I don’t wear a heavy sock with them and likely could have gone with a size 8 to achieve an exact fit.
In my opinion, a snowy scene is the best for photographing Northern Cardinals.
Winter is one of my favourite times to get out birding. With so many species only present in our area during the winter months, venturing out in the cold is a must to observe these species.
Often during the coldest winters is when rare birds are present as was the case back in 2014 and 2015. These winters were so cold ice coverage on the Great Lakes approached 100%. As a result, large numbers of diving ducks were forced inland to the open water of the Thames River. Here in London, we saw White-winged Scoters, Harlequin Ducks, and even Red-throated Loons, a species not reported in winter in Middlesex county since 1898. During these frigid winters, birders flocked to the river to see these rarities and I was sure glad I had my Rocky Blizzard Stalkers keeping my feet warm. I could spend all day out there in -20 to -30 degree wind chills photographing these birds that I may never again see in my lifetime.
Getting out when it’s snowing often provides some of the best scenes for capturing images of birds.
Keeping my hands and feet warm used to be a challenge for me. Thanks to Rocky Blizzard Stalker boots my feet stay warm and dry. You can find out which gloves I wear to keep my hands warm in my post The Best Gloves For Winter Birding And Photography.
Redpolls only visit our area during the winter months and not every year. Currently, we are experiencing an irruption of finches in Southwestern Ontario. If you want to see these birds in our area bundling up and heading out in the cold is a must.
In the past, I was never a person who loved winter and think the reason for this was I was never warm enough. Now, with the right clothing, I embrace winter and look forward to it and the birds it brings to our area.
If you’ve struggled in previous years to keep your feet warm and dry, I highly recommend you check out the Rocky Blizzard Stalker boots, I’m certainly glad I gave them a try.
Good birding,
Paul
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
Winter is my favourite time of year to observe and photograph Bald Eagles in our area. Layering up with quality warm clothing allows me to spend hours in the field with this majestic raptor.
Winter presents excellent birding opportunities in that many species only inhabit our area during the colder months. Many songbirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey including the ever-popular Snowy Owl can be found if you are willing to get out and brave the elements. Staying warm and being comfortable are the keys to enjoying winter birding. I quite prefer winter birding to summer birding because not only are there many interesting species to observe, but it is easier to dress for the cold than the heat. Let’s face it, you can only remove so many clothes.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are a resident species that can be enjoyed year-round in our area. The leafless trees during the winter months provide better views of these and other birds.
Today’s clothing technology makes staying warm and comfortable quite easy. Garments are made warmer and thinner than they were in the past which will make your time in the outdoors more enjoyable. I like to start with a good base layer and my preference here is Underarmour 2.0 leggings and 3.0 top. These long john style shirts and pants fit tight to my body and are available in various weights for a range of temperatures and provide excellent warmth while wicking moisture away from my body. Keeping the moisture off your skin is very important because nothing cools you down faster than sweat evaporation. In extremely cold temperatures I will wear a flannel shirt over my Underarmour base layer but quite often find that the mid-weight base layer shirt is more than adequate.
The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull in the world and only found in our area during the winter months. Bundling up and photographing one of these giants is always exciting.
Next, I like to put on a fleece-lined pair of cargo pants. The fleece lining provides added warmth and the many pockets are great for carrying small items such as spare memory cards. Avoid nylon ski pants as this material is too noisy when walking and will startle many birds. For my jacket, I like Mark’s Work Warehouse T Max hoodies. These jackets are extremely warm, made of a quiet material, and are available in models that repel water which makes them great in wet snow.
Birding during the winter months is a great way to stay active. Not being dressed for the conditions will limit the amount of time you can tolerate in the field.
Footwear is probably the most important piece of clothing. If your feet get cold and wet, then the rest of you will get cold and your day will not be very enjoyable. I always buy boots designed for hunting as I find them the best for warmth, comfort, and being waterproof. I like a boot with at least 1000 grams of Thinsulate insulation to guarantee my feet stay warm. Look for a fairly aggressive tread to provide better grip in packed snow and icy conditions.Rocky Blizzardstalker is my choice for winter boots. These boots are incredibly warm, waterproof, and comfortable.
Many waterfowl species like the Redhead pictured here, only visit our region during winter months. It is important to dress properly when heading out in search of these beautiful birds.
Gloves can be one of the trickiest items to purchase. I have had countless pairs of gloves that claim to be warm but just don’t cut it when out in the field. My personal recommendation isManzella Bruin. These gloves are the warmest I have ever owned not to mention waterproof and very thin. I can easily operate the tiny buttons and switches on my camera and lens without having to remove these gloves.
If you avoid birding during the winter months because you can’t keep warm, give some of these articles of clothing a try and prepare to be comfortable all day.
Last but not least don’t forget to cover your head. How many times have you heard in your life that you lose 90% of your body heat through your head? Whether or not this fact is accurate who knows? I do know this, cold ears will ruin your day in a hurry. I like a toque style hat with a lining that wicks away moisture. It is quite easy to work up a sweat while winter hiking and again sweat evaporation will cool you off incredibly fast. Many companies manufacture great lined toques and winter hats.
Cold weather has never prevented me from getting outside and enjoying my favourite pastime.
I spend a lot of time outdoors photographing wildlife and have wasted a lot of money on winter attire that claims to be warm. All of these items keep me warm and allow me to stay outdoors for hours on the coldest days. I think that if you give some of these items a try you won’t be disappointed and your time outdoors will be much more enjoyable.
Good birding,
Paul
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
