Last summer, based on @Merco_61 s recommendation, I picked up a Nikon Coolpix B600. I use it mainly for birding now. It served its purpose, but I need something better now, with a much better zoom.
I need advice for an entry level DSLR <$2,000 USD for both body and lens. I most importantly need a good sports/burst mode. I'm really pissed off that often with my model, sports mode frequently refuses to take pictures when I press the shutter button. I asked Nikon support if there were a way to get the camera to honor my requests and take pictures EVERY TIME I press the shutter button, but evidentially, stupid AI logic wins, as the rep replied there is no way to do this.
It's very hard to capture birds in flight, so I like to aim the lens in the direction of the projected flight path and start a burst. The problem appears to be that because the clouds and/or background are out of focus, the AI decides it is smarter than I and refuses to take pictures. With what I'm doing, If I can get a long enough burst, (The Coolpix B600 is limited to 7 - I'd like more) and correctly predict the flight path, I'll get some good shots.
I'd like to stick with Nikon. Any ideas?