Vector

Hi,

An option might be the sigma 80 to 400. You should be able to get it used on eBay for around $500. The auto focus may not be the fastest, but it did get good reviews for photo quality .

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There are almost no teleconverters usable with Canon EF-S lenses... Kenko "HD" are the only ones. But a 2X on that lens will mean no autofocus, a dim viewfinder to try to manually focus and I'd expect image quality will be pretty bad.

OP, there's a new Sigma 100-400mm OS HSM lens that costs $800. It's quite compact for a lens with this range of focal lengths.

Alternatively, look for a Tamron 150-600mm VC USD, first version. Those can still be found new and are discounted to $870 for clearance (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1013956-REG/tamron_a011_c_sp_150_600mm_f_5_6_3_di.html). The Tamron 150-600mm "G2"is admittedly better, but costs $1400. The original version is pretty good from 150-500mm, but a bit soft between 500 and 600mm (but better than nothing!)

Or, pick up a Canon 100-400mm original push/pull zoom version.... still available new and now clearance priced at $1300 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162616-USA/Canon_2577A002AA_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6L_IS_USM.html). Like the Tamron above, yes, the new Mark II version is improved in a number of ways, but it sells for $2000. The original version is still pretty darned good... just be sure not to put any filter on it. (Oddly, it "goes soft" even when a high quality filter is used... much better image quality with no filter.) KEH has the original 100-400mm used for about $1079. You might find it for less elsewhere, but I think KEH gives a 90 day warranty. Bought used elsewhere might have no warranty.

Canon 400mm f/5.6L is a very sharp, fast focusing and reasonably sized lens that sells for $1150 new and around $850 used. IMPORTANT: this lens does not have image stabilization. It can be used with a 1.4X teleconverter and still autofocus on some Canon cameras: T7i, 77D, 80D, 7D Mark II and all the current full frame models except for the soon-to-be discontinued original 6D.

Canon 300mm f/4L is also quite good and has IS, sells new for $1350, used for around $800. It can be used with a 1.4X TC on all Canon DSLRs and with a 2X TC on the above listed models. (Image quality always suffers more with a 2X, though.)

Sigma made 120-400mm OS HSM, 150-500mm OS HSM and 50-500mm OS HSM lenses in the not-too-distant past, that might be found used in the $500 to $700 range. There also were earlier, non-OS versions that are cheaper... but I'd recommend avoiding them because the image stabilization feature is important on these long focal lengths... especially if you hope to hand hold the lens or use it on a monopod a lot.

And, yes, there was the even earlier Sigma 80-400mm OS that a previous response mentions, which can be found used for $500 or a little less. It has OS., which is a good thing. In fact, I think it was one of Sigma's first stabilized lenses. HOWEVER, a bad thing is that it does not have HSM focus drive (similar to Canon's USM "ultrasonic" focus drive), so the 80-400mm's autofocus is pretty slow and noisy.

If these seem pricey, a few years ago there were almost no reasonable quality, modern autofocus lenses reaching 400mm, 500mm and 600mm that sold for less than $9000. And with most of those you'd also want a $1500 tripod to sit the big, heavy lens upon. So, comparatively, the above are bargains.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I like the Canon 400/5.6 because it is small, very, very light (weights next to nothing), has excellent IQ and is also super light on the wallet!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

...........You don't indicate if.............. really?????? (btw, the did indicate)!!

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

I would listen to that last guy (amfoto1), he owns one of just about everything. One last thing, when it comes to lenses, spend as much as you can afford, then you won't have to constantly upgrade.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Huh?!?
Most of the first sentence is missing from that post. At the beginning should have been Of the four 150-600s the first model Tamron is...

jouster Loc: Witlesss Protection Program

I used a 18-200mm zoom (IS) for 95% of my shots on my last trip to Yellowstone (one of my favorite places.) Many times I would have liked to have a 400 or 500mm lens, but many of my shots were of events that occurred quickly and that I would probably not have caught with a longer lens on a tripod.

I think that a lot depends on your style of photography. Instead of setting up a tripod I usually just walk around and shoot as opportunities occur. I do like the idea of renting a good telephoto lens; I think that would be a relatively inexpensive way of learning how well that lens works for you.

If using a tripod and longer lens I wouldn't have got a shot of this wolf. He was loping away and stopped to look at me only for a moment. Of course he was too far away for 200mm and I had to crop a lot. Still, it was the highlight of my trip to see wolves and this photo adds to the memory.

(Download)

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

amfoto1,

Thanks for the very complete run down of possible decent tele lenses. Kind of summarized what some others have stated.

Just for clarification, you stated that a 2X Kenko HD TC might not be wise, but how about the 1.4X version of the same TC?

dhspeck

I went to Yellowstone in 2010 with a big telephoto lens, but was not happy with the results versus cost. I agree that using a teleconverter might be your best option. For most of my wildlife encounters my normal lens, 35-80mm, was sufficient. Where a telephoto lens is required, you must weigh the time to mount it versus how long the animal will stay in sight. Note that using a tripod would be best for a long-distance shot, but again, there is setup time.

grandkids6

I just came back from Yellowstone, I used my 300 mm lens and it was fine....most of the time the wildlife was pretty close to the roads and there were a lot of people to contend with
and cars....for really long shots I used my Panasonic Lumix fz80 it had a 1200mm zoom lense but I only used that acouple of times. don't worry about the lenses just have a great time
and enjoy what Yellowstone has to offer......P.S. I used my Panasonic most of the time and kept my canon in the back seat just to heavy for me to lug it around.....

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

If you're going to buy over renting for the week, go to the max. if possible: Tamron 150-600mm G2 (second version is sharp throughout) $1400 retail new. Check B&H for refurbished, if possible. Also, check out Greentoe.com - you put in price you are willing to pay and they match you with US retailer willing to accept your offer. Free shipping & no taxes. All US products with mfr. warranty - no grey market products. Have saved $100 of both a camera and lens, plus the free shipping and no sales tax amounted to quite a savings over retail store. Also, I agree with Bultaco's comments. Get the G2 not G1 version.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

p

I don't know of any teleconverter that will work with his lens.

Hip Coyote

Rent a Canon 100/400, and set camera to higher ISOs to get higher higher shutter speeds. Don't forget wide lenses for the beautiful canyons and vistas.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

If you can't get closer with what you already have then go for environmental shots of the wildlife. These can be more interesting than a close up shot in my opinion.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The Canon 100-400mm L first version is in your price range. Will give gret service and excellent sharpness for the money can't touch it for image quality and sharpness. All under 1K. Here is an example. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CANON-EF-100-400mm-f-4-5-5-6-L-USM-IS-LENS-WITH-HOOD-GREAT-DEAL-DEAL-2577A002-/122542427180?epid=99655944&hash=item1c88190c2c:g:nb0AAOSwvflZPE-1