Step into Bird Photography with Alpha

Tan Lu San, a young photographer based in Singapore shares how to start with the right setup, build confidence and grow your bird photography journey.
 

Lu San’s fascination with Singapore’s migratory Common Kingfisher sparked a passion for photographing the birds around him—finding beauty not just in rare species, but in everyday encounters, behaviours and moments.
 

And while bird photography may seem intimidating to some at first, his advice is simple:
 

“If a friend asked me how to start, I’d say don’t worry about having the biggest or most expensive setup. Get something with enough reach, enjoy photographing the birds around you, and discover what works for you as you progress.”

Start Small. Reach Further.

One accessible starting point is Sony’s α6700 paired with the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS. On an APS-C camera, the 100–400mm provides an angle of view equivalent to approximately 150–600mm on full frame — useful reach for birds that are often small or some distance away. The α6700 also offers bird subject recognition AF in a relatively compact setup.

But Lu San’s advice is not to immediately zoom all the way in.

“A wider view can include some of the bird’s surroundings, helping to tell a more complete story. Once you learn to anticipate the bird's behaviour, you can gradually zoom in to frame the shot you want.”
 

A set-up that grows with you.

Starting with the FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS also gives you room to grow. With a full-frame E-mount lens, you can continue to maximize its usage if you eventually step up to a full-frame camera such as the α7 V, opening up more possibilities as your bird photography progresses.
 

“The α7 V with the higher 33MP resolution gives me more freedom to crop, while the autofocus and 30fps allows me to capture the one moment when everything comes together”  

Capturing the Moment Before It Happens

You’re watching a bird perched quietly. You’re waiting. Suddenly, it takes off. By the time you react, the moment may already be gone. That is where Pre-Capture becomes particularly useful. On the α7 V, it can help capture moments occurring just before the shutter is fully released.
 

“With birds, the best moment often happens before you can react. Pre-Capture gives me a better chance to capture it when my reaction is slightly late.”

When you need more reach

As your interests develop, smaller or more distant birds may lead you towards the FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS. Its zoom range lets you begin wider to locate and follow a bird, then move towards 600mm when you need a tighter composition. Paired with the α7 V, it becomes a versatile full-frame birding setup.

Sometimes the birds that catch your eye are simply further away—a shorebird across the water or a small bird high in the trees. Pairing the FE 200–600mm G with Sony’s optional 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters gives you even more flexibility to extend your reach.

“I like having the option to extend my reach when I need it. It opens up more opportunities to photograph distant birds while giving them their space—and sometimes brings a moment that once felt out of reach into the frame.”
 

Your First Combination Doesn’t Have to Be Your Last

That is one of the things Lu San enjoys about an interchangeable-lens system: it can grow alongside the photographer.
 

Every birding journey starts differently. Choose the setup that fits where you are today—and gives you room to explore further.
 

• α6700 FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS: A compact, accessible combination with generous effective reach.

• α7 V + FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS: An ideal starting point for full frame bird photography, balancing advanced birding capabilities with practical lens option. 

• α7 V + FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS: A versatile combination for photographers increasingly drawn to small, distant or fast-moving birds.

Start with the birds around you and see where your curiosity takes you next.