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04/02/2005 09:03:11 PM · #1 |
Looking to shoot more wildlife this spring/summer, and I'm really trying to save up for a 20D, but I'd like to also aquire a lens. Any suggestions?
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04/02/2005 09:05:34 PM · #2 |
Add $29.95 and you get a Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. One of the best telephotos ever made by Canon.
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04/02/2005 09:07:09 PM · #3 |
The Bigma from Sigma has mixed reviews, but I'd sure like to own one!
I only use the canon 70-200 F/4L With the 1.4x tele, and its not near long enuf for me..
Message edited by author 2005-04-02 21:08:40. |
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04/02/2005 09:07:32 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by jmlelii:
Looking to shoot more wildlife this spring/summer, and I'm really trying to save up for a 20D, but I'd like to also aquire a lens. Any suggestions? |
If you want a long lens for shooting animals from cover in the woods, take a look at the Canon 300mm f4 L, it's priced about $1000, maybe a bit more, but I bet you can find a used one for less. The 400mm f 5.6 is nice too, but the 300mm has IS as well as being a stop faster. What animals are you wanting to photograph? would 300mm be better than 400mm? Do you need the extra stop? the IS?
Message edited by author 2005-04-02 21:09:59. |
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04/02/2005 09:08:25 PM · #5 |
...or for more flexibility and less $$$ the Canon 70-200mm f/4L USM Zoom. Becomes a 112-320mm f/4 zoom on your D Rebel.
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04/02/2005 09:09:58 PM · #6 |
Doctor see my edited post, its not near long enuf..
It becomes a 448 after the 1.6/1.4 but its still pretty short.
Message edited by author 2005-04-02 21:12:36. |
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04/02/2005 09:11:41 PM · #7 |
You can probably get a great lens for under 1,000...I use a Tamron 70-300mm and have managed to get awesome photos (very cheap though)...here a a few aswell as a link to more:
  
Wildlife Photos
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04/02/2005 09:30:03 PM · #8 |
| If you already have a 200 fast lens can add a teleconverter for cheep. I wouldn't recommend more then 1.4x, the 2 slows the lens down quite a bit. Otherwise, I would agree looking at a nice 300mm (I use my 70-200 and a 1.4 teleconverter and sometimes still wish for the little bit more). |
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04/02/2005 10:36:20 PM · #9 |
For that really long reach on a budget, there's always the mirror lens solution. I took this photo:...
...late this afternoon, just playin' around. Shot through an 8" aperture telescope used as a telephoto. Effective focal length, 2000mm (35mm equivalent). The bokeh is not that pleasing, due to the central obstruction of the secondary mirror.
The cost of this particular telescope was $500 (used) and add $100 for the f/6.3 focal reducer. |
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04/02/2005 10:43:55 PM · #10 |
I've used two long telephoto lenses that don't cost a lot of money. You can see my galleries for each at the following addresses. My favorite lens is the Nikkor 80-200mmm f2.8 - gotta love the extra speed of this lens. However, 200mm isn't the best for wildlife scenes. The Tamron and Sigma are made for Canon as well as Nikon.
Sigma 70-300 AF f4.0-5.6 DL Macro
//www.pbase.com/ccraft/sigma_70300
Decent lens - the focus isn't that great past 250mm though. It stopped working that great for me after three years of use and thousands of photos. I did manage to get some pretty awesome images with it until I started using the Tamron and Nikkor. The nice thing is it also serves as a macro lens.
Tamron 200-400 f5.6
//www.pbase.com/ccraft/tamron_af_200400mm_56_ld_if_
Good lens - but best for bright days
Message edited by author 2005-04-02 22:51:31. |
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04/02/2005 11:38:43 PM · #11 |
I'd reccommend that you consider the Tamron 200-500 f5-6.3 Di LD IF. It sells for $879 and there is a $50 rebate 'til 4/30, so you can get it for $829 after rebate at B&H. It is not as fast as some of the shorter lenses but will never leave you wishing for more range. It's pretty sharp and, when you get that 20D with it's high ISO capabilities, will be useable in most lighting conditions, not just bright sunlight. There are several examples in my portfolio, this Blue Jay is probably the most convincing.
jbsmithana has one and his images using it are far better than mine.
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04/02/2005 11:48:00 PM · #12 |
I'd recommend the canon ef 75-300 III -- If you want to spend more, you can get it with IS and USM.
One question -- why the 20d over the 350xt? I personally would rather have the 20d because the 350 seems so small...just curious on your take.
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04/03/2005 12:27:30 AM · #13 |
um...if i were you i'd forget about the 20D upgrade and get a good lens with the money you save. the difference in price between the rebel and the 20D is enough to buy a 300/4 or 400/5.6.
this is a really bad place to ask for lens advice. as you can see, people recommend everything from a 75-300 to a mirror lens, and post sharpened, 640x427 size images as justification. decide on the focal length you NEED and buy the best you can afford.
Originally posted by jmlelii:
Looking to shoot more wildlife this spring/summer, and I'm really trying to save up for a 20D, but I'd like to also aquire a lens. Any suggestions? |
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04/03/2005 12:30:55 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by deapee:
I'd recommend the canon ef 75-300 III -- If you want to spend more, you can get it with IS and USM.
One question -- why the 20d over the 350xt? I personally would rather have the 20d because the 350 seems so small...just curious on your take. |
i have the IS version of this lens and definitely like it.. but also want to suggest that it may not always be the best for wildlife, depending on their behavior.. it's certainly not a very fast focusing lens, and if you're trying to photograph moving animals, you may want to go with something that responds a little more quickly. just my 2c
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04/03/2005 12:57:24 AM · #15 |
Thanks for the plug coolhar and he is certainly welcome to look at my PBase or smughug sites to see some work from the Tamron 200-500. I recently started using it with a 1.4x teleconverter and it seems to do alright and gives me over 1000mm (35 equiv) reach. Pretty good for under $1,000.
But, I have to agree with jimmythefish and advice against a body upgrade and go for a more expensive lens instead. Although for the money I love my Tamron 200-500 I woould still rather have good glass and maybe VR (IS for canon folk). You definately lose some clarity with the cheaper lens (soft focus). It will show up in full size prints or crops.
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