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Recommend a lens
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Hi
I’m new to photography but have taken a huge interest in wildlife photography, especially photographing birds.
At the moment I’m using a cannon 450D with a 55-250mm 1:4-5.6 IS lens. I’m getting a lot of good pictures but also missing a lot of opportunities.
I’m trying to capture small little birds at great distances from me so I need to get the right equipment
I’ve being looking at all sorts of lenses on the net but maybe someone could recommend one for me. Or maybe I just need a lens extender.
Anyway if someone can help it would be great.Thanx :D
Hi Trev,
Welcome to PI and I hope you find the site useful.
I’m sure some of the members who photograph wildlife
will be along to advise you on suitable equipment.Good luck.
John.
Hi Trev. For serious bird photography I would recommend something in the region of 300mm or greater. The main problem with these is the lens speed. The lower the f/number, the greater the price. I think you would be better off going for a fast 200mm & buying a hide.Or you could just keep your existing lens & just buy a hide
small little birds at great distances from me
Being lazy and wanting to keep warm I put the birdfeeder as close as possible to the window [some feeders can be suction-cupped onto the glass]
I clean the window and wait. :)
The birds get used to people quite quickly, especially in this weather.Pixelle wrote:
small little birds at great distances from me
Being lazy and wanting to keep warm I put the birdfeeder as close as possible to the window [some feeders can be suction-cupped onto the glass]
I clean the window and wait. :)
The birds get used to people quite quickly, especially in this weather.TO be honest I’ve done that too, I’ve 2 feeding stations in the garden. One down the back and the other close to the house for pictures.
The reason for looking out for the right lens is more for my birding walks in the mountains etc.Anyone ever use this lens
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/787971/art/sigma/150-500-mm-f5-6-3-dg-apo.html
trev wrote:
Anyone ever use this lens
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/787971/art” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false; … g-apo.html
Hi Trev,
Yes I have that Sigma and find it good. I was just out taking some photos of birds in the trees with the snow around.
I’ve had it for a year and a bit now and used it on a number of occasions. The zoom is handy but it is slower compared to the big prime lenses
At 500 its f/6.3 which in low light is quite slow but during the day is fine. For the price its not a bad lens to have in the bag :D
Hope that helps,
GearóidThanks Gearóid. I’m still making up my mind. I’d say most of it’s use will be during day light so it should do the job. :D
Older sigma 50-500 for canon is good too (comparable). I’ve seen one in Jessops for 500 sterling. They are getting rid of sigmas and will sell tamrons instead.
Another option is tamron 70-200/2.8 with teleconverters. It works great with TC’s.
For canon you can get also excellent canon 100-400 L IS lense. It is very sharp lens at 400mm wide open. Sigmas are not. Neither are shorter lenses with TC’sPiotr M wrote:
For canon you can get also excellent canon 100-400 L IS lense. It is very sharp lens at 400mm wide open. S
Hi 100-400 Is is OK but only form 100-300 maybe 350 on 400 is soap. I had this lens before and sold and this is not only my opinion .
Is old true big range zooms are not great buy cheep some time :)The best for this will be 400mm 5,6 the best quality for money, had before
http://www.pbase.com/dzygit/image/78918421″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.pbase.com/dzygit/image/75237546″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Before I would recommend a lens I would recommend a strategy… and that would be get close to the birds.
To get a good photo of something as small as a Blue Tit, Robin, Goldfinch etc. you have to be within 10-15 feet. These birds aren’t much bigger in size that a credit card.
I use a Canon 100-400 for my bird photography… but I have to be within 8-10 feet to get the photos I want.
Dariusz – bad luck with your piece. Off course primes are always better than zooms. No doubt about it.
nfl-fan
I know that. You need also shorter times and damn heavy tripod. At least monopod. When you use such long lenses the vibrations from clapping mirror and shutter are a really big issue. All newbies are willing to shoot birds, but nobody listens to the experienced guys and later on they are disappointed. It is not easy.
I quit shooting bidrs. It is too expensive for me and the gear is too heavy. For serious bird photographer a long prime (f2.8 rather than f4) is a must plus teleconverter.
Sometimes I’m thinking about digiscoping instead.
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