Lens Choice Opinions Please: Hi, I'm hoping to purchase a lense for Bird photography. Part of the time this would be in forested areas so not a lot of light. I'm on a budget, the...

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Hi,

I'm hoping to purchase a lense for Bird photography. Part of the time this would be in forested areas so not a lot of light. I'm on a budget, the options I have are:-

1) Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM with a 2X converter
2) Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
3) Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI VC USD

I would value any opinions you have. Thank you for your help.

Regards
Anne

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

What camera are you using?

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

swallowtail wrote:

Hi,

I'm hoping to purchase a lense for Bird photography. Part of the time this would be in forested areas so not a lot of light. I'm on a budget, the options I have are:-

1) Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM with a 2X converter
2) Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
3) Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI VC USD

I would value any opinions you have. Thank you for your help.

Regards
Anne

There have been threads on #2 and #3 with lots of good info that may help you in your decision. You can locate those threads by putting each of the lenses in the Search function here on the UHH.
I am sure you will get lots of good info/advice from this posting, also.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

ST, let me just say that NO lens will correct for poor conditions and lack of light. If you want Good shots, you need to have good light. If you can't get a catchlight, chances are you also can't get good feather detail either.
Keep in mind that some of the best bird shots are shot with Canon 500 and 600 lens. These are slow lenses. Fast for a big lens, but slow none the less at f4.
For a forested area, you may want to think about a 600ex flash and a Better Beamer to go with it. There is also no substitute for speed.
You don't say what body you're using.
Good luck with the lens. ;-)
SS

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

swallowtail wrote:

Hi,

I'm hoping to purchase a lense for Bird photography. Part of the time this would be in forested areas so not a lot of light. I'm on a budget, the options I have are:-

1) Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM with a 2X converter
2) Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
3) Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI VC USD

I would value any opinions you have. Thank you for your help.

Regards
Anne

First of all, you will need a 2.8 lens or faster for shooting wildlife at dusk. An f/4 lens with a 2x (you lose 2 stops of light with it) will be f/8 at it's widest aperture.
That leaves the rest on your list out of the question as well.

I love my 300 2.8 for wildlife, however, the cost is out of your range. The lens I carry with the 300 is my 70-200 2.8.
I got my 70-200 used, so I would suggest looking at that option.
It works well with a 2x as long as I have enough light for it at f/5.6.

Check your local dealers for used equipment as well as B&H photo video. I got some great deals from mine.

BamaTexan Loc: Deep in the heart of Texas

swallowtail wrote:

Hi,

I'm hoping to purchase a lense for Bird photography. Part of the time this would be in forested areas so not a lot of light. I'm on a budget, the options I have are:-

1) Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM with a 2X converter
2) Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
3) Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI VC USD

I would value any opinions you have. Thank you for your help.

Regards
Anne

Whichever lens you choose, you would do well to check out used lenses at KEH.

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

I have a 350D and the use of a 7D occasionally.

OddJobber wrote:

What camera are you using?

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Thanks SS, I'd love a 500 or 600mm lense but way out of my price range. Thinking I'll maybe go with either the Sigma or Tamron and take your advice and buy a 600ex flash and a Better Beamer to go with it.

SharpShooter wrote:

ST, let me just say that NO lens will correct for ... (show quote)

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Thanks, I live in Australia, I have bought small new items from B&H but not sure about them posting me a used lense. I have looked at the camera shops here but have no big stores like B&H and Adorama.

BigBear wrote:

First of all, you will need a 2.8 lens or faster f... (show quote)

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Hi, As I live in Australia I'm not sure if they would post one here.

BamaTexan wrote:

Whichever lens you choose, you would do well to check out used lenses at KEH.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

swallowtail wrote:

Thanks SS, I'd love a 500 or 600mm lense but way out of my price range. Thinking I'll maybe go with either the Sigma or Tamron and take your advice and buy a 600ex flash and a Better Beamer to go with it.

ST, I was not suggesting you get a 500. I was just saying they are slow, and you're looking at even slower for bad light.
It was more about the flash than the lenses.
Even a 500/600 struggles in bad light.
Just don't get a Somme ansd be disappointed that in bad light it won't perform.
Lou's your cmarea will likely loose auto focus with some of the lenses/combos that you are looking at.
Again, good luck.
SS

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I have the Canon 300mm f4.0 L, IS - it is a great prime lens. And the Canon 1.4 extender results in very sharp pictures - I've gotten good results with some bird pics. I've also used the lens with a Canon 2x extender and haven't been particularly pleased with the results. The 300 + 1.4 is an excellent combo although not the perfect reach for birding.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I've bought used Canon lenses from both B&H and Adorama - both were excellent purchases. Adorama did exchange a purchased used lens twice because I was pleased with the first ones sent. They came through with an outstanding (E+) final replacement. I wouldn't hesitate purchasing a used lens from eith retailer.

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

SS, I knew you weren't suggesting I buy a 500, I was just saying it would be on my very long wish list. I thought your recommendation af the flash and extender would be a good idea for me, I could also use the flash with the 100mm macro, as I think a lot of the macro people use the speedlight. I will most probably get the Sigma or Tamron and just be very realistic about the places to take good shots and the not so good one's can be record shots.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

SharpShooter wrote:

ST, I was not suggesting you get a 500. I was just saying they are slow, and you're looking at even slower for bad light.
It was more about the flash than the lenses.
Even a 500/600 struggles in bad light.
Just don't get a Somme ansd be disappointed that in bad light it won't perform.
Lou's your cmarea will likely loose auto focus with some of the lenses/combos that you are looking at.
Again, good luck.
SS

swallowtail Loc: Melbourne, Australia

I will keep an eye out for second hand lenses, thank you.

dugole wrote:

I've bought used Canon lenses from both B&H and Adorama - both were excellent purchases. Adorama did exchange a purchased used lens twice because I was pleased with the first ones sent. They came through with an outstanding (E+) final replacement. I wouldn't hesitate purchasing a used lens from eith retailer.