No, probably not the first body with which you would choose to go birding, but it's not impossible. I had 3-4 hours by myself on a family trip to try to capture some local birdlife. My tripod and FD 300mm f/4 with FD 1.4x extender were a waste of time and unnecessary weight. Birds don't tend to wait around while you mess around with tripods and manual focus. All shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L. Touch AF worked satisfactorily most of the time, but changing to 'AF method: 1-point and AF Frame Size: Small' was better. No tripod or monopod used, but found somewhere on which to rest the lens for stability. The foot on the EF 400mm f/5.6L tripod ring works well for this. Hopeless trying to get BIF using the rear LCD on the M6. I don't know how well the M5 EVF works for BIF.
Location: Thale Noi wetlands, Phattalung province, southern Thailand.
I also photographed some purple swamphens, terns, egrets, but nothing worth posting here. Quite a few OOF shots. Cormorants and other birds are extremely skittish and they disappear as soon as you start to get in range. Although the EF 400mm f/5.6L can be used for other subjects, I only ever use it for birding ... at which it excels. I had terrible focusing and IQ problems with the EF 300mm f/4L IS, sold it and bought the EF 400mm f/5.6L. I've not had a single issue with the 400mm and despite having no IS it has returned many images that I am very satisfied with. It's a great value lens and has stood the test of time, even though an update is long overdue.
The perched stork-like bird, I believe, is an Asian Openbill. The bird having a late breakfast, I believe, is a Chinese Pond Heron. Lots of these herons around and they allow you to get quite close without flying off. My bird ID'ing isn't great, so corrections welcome.
http://phil.uk.net/photography/canon-ef-400mm-f5p6-l-usm.html
Location: Thale Noi wetlands, Phattalung province, southern Thailand.
I also photographed some purple swamphens, terns, egrets, but nothing worth posting here. Quite a few OOF shots. Cormorants and other birds are extremely skittish and they disappear as soon as you start to get in range. Although the EF 400mm f/5.6L can be used for other subjects, I only ever use it for birding ... at which it excels. I had terrible focusing and IQ problems with the EF 300mm f/4L IS, sold it and bought the EF 400mm f/5.6L. I've not had a single issue with the 400mm and despite having no IS it has returned many images that I am very satisfied with. It's a great value lens and has stood the test of time, even though an update is long overdue.
The perched stork-like bird, I believe, is an Asian Openbill. The bird having a late breakfast, I believe, is a Chinese Pond Heron. Lots of these herons around and they allow you to get quite close without flying off. My bird ID'ing isn't great, so corrections welcome.
http://phil.uk.net/photography/canon-ef-400mm-f5p6-l-usm.html