Bosque del Apache Equipment Requirements

I am planning a trip to Bosque and would like some feedback from others who have been there as to the equipment needed to get some descent photos there. I am a serious hobbyist, but don't want to spend $4-8,000 on super telephotos. I am starting to take more bird/wildlife photos on a regular basis and would like a setup that will work nicely without going crazy on the cost. I currently own the Canon 5D (full frame) and my longest lens is a Canon 300mm f/4L IS + 1.4x teleconverter. I think I've pretty well decided to get the Canon 100-400mm f/4.0-5.6 IS because I like the flexibiity of a zoom over a fixed focal length. But I don't think the teleconverter will work with this lens, so in reality I won't have any extra reach over my 300mm + 1.4X setup. So now I'm wondering if I should get the Canon 7D (1.6 crop camera) to use with the 100-400 for a much longer effective focal length. This setup would be used for my bird/wildlife shots and I would keep the 5D for my landscape photography. I would appreciate any comments that would help in my decision making process. Thanks so much.

Carol: I live in Albuquerque and have the pleasure of visiting the Bosque on a regular basis. Your question doesn't specify the vision you have for the types of images you'd like to capture at the Bosque. With a 5D and the 300 and 1.4x combo, you'll have a hard time getting much in the way of full frame images. Yes, you'll have the chance at a few Sandhill cranes close enough in flight to fill the frame pretty well, but that's probably about it. If you are after the morning and evening fly in and fly out sunrise/sunsets, you have more than enough focal length. Those images will have hundreds (if not thousands) of geese in them depending on your luck. If you opt for the 7D, a 400 has an effective crop of 640mm. While pretty decent still not enough for frame filling images on a regular basis. My setup of choice at the Bosque is a 1.6x crop body with a 500mm f/4 and 1.4x. I realize that isn't something you want to purchase. Just providing that information for reference. Have you considered renting a long lens for your trip? You'll have a wonderful time at the refuge. Get there early and leave late. Nap in the middle of the day. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you'd like more details on the Bosque Del Apache.

Hi, Carol - excellent advice from Keith...I have been to Bosque quite a few times in recent years..I would also vote that you purchase the 7D. The built in crop of the sensor is a large benefit, and the autofocus of this camera and frame rate make it a good choice for bird photos.

Regarding use of the 1.4 EX and lens selection...this extender would work better with a prime lens, but neither the 5D or the 7D will give you autofocus on the lenses you mention as you will be at f/8 when using it and the cameras won't perform....that said, you could of course manual focus on a non-flight subject.

The 100-400 is a great lens to have, but if you are making the trip to get sharp, close pictures and don't want to invest in the super telephotos, I would strongly suggest the prime 400 f/5.6 lens is the way to go. You need the reach, and this is a light weight and very sharp 400mm lens...really just about the best deal Canon offers in a telephoto.

I think that if you are not now a subscriber, you should go to http://www.birdsasart.com/ and subscribe to his free bulletins. Artie has gone a long way to promote bird photography, and Bosque in particular, over the years. You can read past issues archived on his site and look for information on photographing Bosque....the issues he puts out in Nov/Dec each year will detail his experiences there.

Have a great trip, and a final word of advice: It can be brutally cold in the mornings, my first year there it was 8 degrees fahrenheit before dawn...superinsulated boots, a parka, and multiple glove layers are a must when standing around waiting for the sun to rise and birds to take flight.

You already have some great information from Keith and William. I love going to the Bosque and I am sure you will too. I can't speak directly to your camera needs as I shoot Nikon. I use a camera with a 1.5 crop factor and a 80 - 400 zoom lens and, except for eagles, I feel it fits my needs at the Bosque quite well. Driving the loop roads you will find many birds fairly close to you. Another good place to see cranes in the AM is on the right of the main highway coming in and well before you ever get to the refuge visitor center. The birds tend to be close enough for my lens/camera combo to do quite well, at least IMO. Walking the boardwalk on the marsh loop is another good place to see birds although here either patience or a longer lens is often required. There is a blind on the farm loop but as of last week there was no water there (there often is and it is often a good place for geese) and no birds. Apparently in an attempt to rotate crops most of the corn fields are on the bottom of the marsh loop this year. We found birds in different places than previous years. One of my favorite places to search for birds at the bosque is the native plant garden right behind the visitor center. You won't find cranes or snow geese here but there are curved-billed thrashers, gambels quail, canyon towhees, pyrrhuloxia, etc. I agree with William about dressing warm for the morning as it can be quite cold. Hope you have a great time and you share some of your images here.

Keith, William & Sally - Thanks for your responses. I now have a pretty good idea of the equipment I will want to bring to Bosque. I also appreciate the warning about the weather. All those sunrise/sunset photos I have seen from Bosque always "look" so warm to me that I had no idea it could be so cold there. This Florida body is going to be freezing!

Get some Hot Hands or whatever those sachets of heating stuff are called and open them in your pockets a while before you need them, ideally have mittens that you can drop and use your bare hands to film, so attach them to your sleeves ie the mittens not your hands! Or just have bare hands and keep them in your pockets most of the time. it does get cold at the ends of the day. Ear coverage is a good idea too! I find it handy to have 2 cameras, one with a wider angle lens eg 200mm and one on the tripod with long lens and TC.