A Canon Nikon question I have been asked, but can't answer
Oct 22, 2014 11:59:36 #
RKL349 wrote:
Please re-read the OP's original posting. You will see Nikon being mentioned. I read that as being the body as well as the lens. Others may have read that in similar fashion. Could the OP have omitted the model of the body erroneously? Does this kind of thing really bother you that much to have to make such caustic remarks? Take a chill pill!
What Nikon model Mr. Smartypants? Take an intelligence pill.
Oct 22, 2014 12:33:00 #
Gene51 wrote:
I am a Nikon guy, but I would have no hesitation recommending a Canon body and lens, just not that particular lens. Optically it is fine, but auto focus accuracy can be dodgy at 250mm. I prefer the 70-300 for a beginner wildlife shooter. Better quality, better AF, faster focusing, less hunting. But both are good examples of how Canon makes really good value-oriented products.
Thank you so much for your recommendation, I will pass it on to my niece
Oct 22, 2014 12:35:28 #
nikon_jon wrote:
Regardless of which camera she buys, does she have... (show quote)
She will have a tripod available, and I am sure she will do the necessary research. Thank you for your comments
Oct 22, 2014 12:35:42 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I think what you're considering and many of the subsequent suggestions have got it all backwards.
Instead of an expensive camera with a cheap telephoto zoom, for wildlife photography your niece will get much better results with a good solid, fast focusing tele zoom on a less expensive camera. I can suggest some Canon options, but am not knowledgeable enough about Nikon alternatives so will leave that to others.
Forget the 70D or 7D. Too much cost and, especially 7D, too much camera for a beginner. ( I use two 7Ds myself, and have extensively used 5DII, 50D, 30D, 10D too... plus, less frequently, several other Canon models.)
Instead look for a new/used/refurbished 60D, 50D, T5i/700D or T4i/650D. All these are very capable 18MP (except 50D, which is still a very respectable 15MP) and - most importantly - all have the same 9-point autofocus system, with all nine points the "better" dual axis/cross type. These cameras also all have more support for a beginner compared to 7D. The Rebel/xxxD models, in particular, are more friendly "first-DSLR" cameras. The Rebel/xxxD series are not quite as fast operating as the 50D/60D, which have more direct access to some key functions. The Rebel/xxxD series also use a penta-mirror viewfinder, which keeps costs and weight down a bit, compared to the true pentaprisms in the xxD models, which make for a little bigger and brighter viewfinders.
Now with a less pricey, less complex camera, turn your attention to a better lens.
I'd recommend image stabilization to help steady shots with a long lens and ring type focus drive for it's speed and accuracy. EF-S 55-250 IS Mark II or IS STM are reasonably compact, fine optically and do have stabilization (IS), but are slower focusing and 250mm is not really long enough focal length for a lot of wildlife photography.
At a minimum, EF 70-300 IS USM at about $650 would be a better choice, but still is relatively short for smaller, more distant wildlife. (IS is stabilization, USM is ring type focus drive). A more compact/portable version is the 70-300 DO IS USM (DO is "diffractive optics" ), a nice lens but it's a lot more expensive... about $1400 if memory serves.
(IMPORTANT NOTE: You may come across the Canon FE 75-300 lens while shopping, that typically sells for $200 or less... run screaming away from it. It's not one of Canon's better efforts. The slightly more expensive EF-S 55-250 IS II or IS STM both are optically better lenses.)
IMO, one of the best deals right now is the Sigma 120-400 OS HSM (OS is stabilization, HSM is ring type focus drive on Sigma lenses). It's being blown out for around $800-900, probably a new model coming soon.
A super long focal length yet fairly affordable zoom that's been introduced relatively recently is the Tamron 150-600mm VC USD (VC is stabilization, USD is ring type focus drive in Tamron parlance) costs about $1100. It has been a big hit and can be hard to find. Most users seem to feel it's excellent up to 500mm, a little soft between 500 and 600mm.
Canon 100-400L IS USM is a really fast handling "push/pull" type zoom, very popular with birders, air shows and other situations where quick shooting is necessary. It's about a $1500 lens, though.
Personally I use a Canon 300/4L IS USM a lot, with Canon 1.4X II teleconverter when I need more reach. This is a $1400 lens (I paid $900 used) and $250 (used) teleconverter (Current Canon 1.4X III is about $450). But I have a couple 70-200s and 28-135s, to complement the prime lens. Most users wouldn't want just one prime lens.
The Canon EF 400/5.6L USM is another very popular bird and wildlife lens.... for about $1300. It doesn't have IS (stabilization), so somewhat limits the shutter speeds one can use and/or might call for a tripod or at least a monopod a lot of the time.
There are other telephotos, but they go up rapidly in price, size and weight from the above.
She likely will not want to use a long lens all the time. So you probably will also want something shorter as a general purpose "walk-around" lens. The least expensive option is an EF-S 18-55mm "kit" lens. These are pretty plasticky and not fancy by any means, but the more recent IS versions of these lenses are not at all bad optically. You'll find three versions... IS, IS II, and IS STM. They are all similar quality, the STM version is typically about $50 more and has quieter, smoother operating focus drive (though still not as fast as USM).
A general purpose, walk-around lens I often recommend is the EF 28-135 IS USM. This is an older design dating from the film days, but is still in production and very capable. On any of the crop sensor cameras recommended 28mm isn't very wide, but is a solid "standard" to moderate telephoto with very good image quality (it rivals the 24-105, 24-70 premium series lenses for image quality). Also has stabilization and fast USM focus. And it's quite close focusing, so can be used for near macro work. Best of all, a ton of them have been sold in kit with various Canon cameras, so it's pretty easy to find a practically unused one for around $200-250. (It sells new for $480.) I've got two EF 28-135s that I use as loaners and as a lightweight, versatile option when I'm hiking or biking and want to minimize the gear I need to carry (it replaces my 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 100/2.8 macro in my camera bag, saving about 5 pounds of weight and a lot of space). I can reference several pros who regularly use the 28-135 instead of far more expensive options (Joe Farace at Shutterbug magazine is one... http://joefarace.com/my-gear/).
So, basically, I'd suggest instead of an $1100 camera and $250 lens... for wildlife your niece will be much happier with a $500-600 camera and an $800 to $1100 telephoto zoom lens. She'll probably also want a shorter focal length $150-250 "walk-around" zoom, too, for closer subjects.
Instead of an expensive camera with a cheap telephoto zoom, for wildlife photography your niece will get much better results with a good solid, fast focusing tele zoom on a less expensive camera. I can suggest some Canon options, but am not knowledgeable enough about Nikon alternatives so will leave that to others.
Forget the 70D or 7D. Too much cost and, especially 7D, too much camera for a beginner. ( I use two 7Ds myself, and have extensively used 5DII, 50D, 30D, 10D too... plus, less frequently, several other Canon models.)
Instead look for a new/used/refurbished 60D, 50D, T5i/700D or T4i/650D. All these are very capable 18MP (except 50D, which is still a very respectable 15MP) and - most importantly - all have the same 9-point autofocus system, with all nine points the "better" dual axis/cross type. These cameras also all have more support for a beginner compared to 7D. The Rebel/xxxD models, in particular, are more friendly "first-DSLR" cameras. The Rebel/xxxD series are not quite as fast operating as the 50D/60D, which have more direct access to some key functions. The Rebel/xxxD series also use a penta-mirror viewfinder, which keeps costs and weight down a bit, compared to the true pentaprisms in the xxD models, which make for a little bigger and brighter viewfinders.
Now with a less pricey, less complex camera, turn your attention to a better lens.
I'd recommend image stabilization to help steady shots with a long lens and ring type focus drive for it's speed and accuracy. EF-S 55-250 IS Mark II or IS STM are reasonably compact, fine optically and do have stabilization (IS), but are slower focusing and 250mm is not really long enough focal length for a lot of wildlife photography.
At a minimum, EF 70-300 IS USM at about $650 would be a better choice, but still is relatively short for smaller, more distant wildlife. (IS is stabilization, USM is ring type focus drive). A more compact/portable version is the 70-300 DO IS USM (DO is "diffractive optics" ), a nice lens but it's a lot more expensive... about $1400 if memory serves.
(IMPORTANT NOTE: You may come across the Canon FE 75-300 lens while shopping, that typically sells for $200 or less... run screaming away from it. It's not one of Canon's better efforts. The slightly more expensive EF-S 55-250 IS II or IS STM both are optically better lenses.)
IMO, one of the best deals right now is the Sigma 120-400 OS HSM (OS is stabilization, HSM is ring type focus drive on Sigma lenses). It's being blown out for around $800-900, probably a new model coming soon.
A super long focal length yet fairly affordable zoom that's been introduced relatively recently is the Tamron 150-600mm VC USD (VC is stabilization, USD is ring type focus drive in Tamron parlance) costs about $1100. It has been a big hit and can be hard to find. Most users seem to feel it's excellent up to 500mm, a little soft between 500 and 600mm.
Canon 100-400L IS USM is a really fast handling "push/pull" type zoom, very popular with birders, air shows and other situations where quick shooting is necessary. It's about a $1500 lens, though.
Personally I use a Canon 300/4L IS USM a lot, with Canon 1.4X II teleconverter when I need more reach. This is a $1400 lens (I paid $900 used) and $250 (used) teleconverter (Current Canon 1.4X III is about $450). But I have a couple 70-200s and 28-135s, to complement the prime lens. Most users wouldn't want just one prime lens.
The Canon EF 400/5.6L USM is another very popular bird and wildlife lens.... for about $1300. It doesn't have IS (stabilization), so somewhat limits the shutter speeds one can use and/or might call for a tripod or at least a monopod a lot of the time.
There are other telephotos, but they go up rapidly in price, size and weight from the above.
She likely will not want to use a long lens all the time. So you probably will also want something shorter as a general purpose "walk-around" lens. The least expensive option is an EF-S 18-55mm "kit" lens. These are pretty plasticky and not fancy by any means, but the more recent IS versions of these lenses are not at all bad optically. You'll find three versions... IS, IS II, and IS STM. They are all similar quality, the STM version is typically about $50 more and has quieter, smoother operating focus drive (though still not as fast as USM).
A general purpose, walk-around lens I often recommend is the EF 28-135 IS USM. This is an older design dating from the film days, but is still in production and very capable. On any of the crop sensor cameras recommended 28mm isn't very wide, but is a solid "standard" to moderate telephoto with very good image quality (it rivals the 24-105, 24-70 premium series lenses for image quality). Also has stabilization and fast USM focus. And it's quite close focusing, so can be used for near macro work. Best of all, a ton of them have been sold in kit with various Canon cameras, so it's pretty easy to find a practically unused one for around $200-250. (It sells new for $480.) I've got two EF 28-135s that I use as loaners and as a lightweight, versatile option when I'm hiking or biking and want to minimize the gear I need to carry (it replaces my 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8 and 100/2.8 macro in my camera bag, saving about 5 pounds of weight and a lot of space). I can reference several pros who regularly use the 28-135 instead of far more expensive options (Joe Farace at Shutterbug magazine is one... http://joefarace.com/my-gear/).
So, basically, I'd suggest instead of an $1100 camera and $250 lens... for wildlife your niece will be much happier with a $500-600 camera and an $800 to $1100 telephoto zoom lens. She'll probably also want a shorter focal length $150-250 "walk-around" zoom, too, for closer subjects.
Oct 22, 2014 12:44:02 #
Sirius_one wrote:
My niece is getting her first DSLR and wondered if the Canon D70 with 4-5.6 55-250 lens or a Nikon 4-5.6 55-300 would be a better camera for wildlife photography and for a DSLR beginner.
Which (if any) camera is she now using? How experienced is she? What are her goals in photography? How serious about photography is she? Too many questions, not enough answers to give realistic advice.
Oct 22, 2014 12:46:21 #
amfoto1 wrote:
I think what youre considering and many of the sug... (show quote)
Thank you so very much, I will forward your message to her, it is very helpful.
Oct 22, 2014 12:49:44 #
Zero_Equals_Infinity wrote:
The Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras offer excellent valu... (show quote)
Thank you, I will be passing on your comments.
Oct 22, 2014 12:49:45 #
Zero_Equals_Infinity wrote:
The Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras offer excellent valu... (show quote)
Thank you, I will be passing on your comments.
Oct 22, 2014 12:51:26 #
Bear2 wrote:
Believe currently the Nikon D7100 is rated the best DX camera on the market, and weather sealed for outdoor wildlife photography.
I have the earlier but still excellent D7000 with a variety of lenses including the 70-300 4.5-5.6 G VR, and absolutely love it. My wish list is the 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR, and maybe on the new D750.
Hope this helps.
Duane
I have the earlier but still excellent D7000 with a variety of lenses including the 70-300 4.5-5.6 G VR, and absolutely love it. My wish list is the 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR, and maybe on the new D750.
Hope this helps.
Duane
Thank you for your comments. (I hope you get your wish fulfilled soon.)
Oct 22, 2014 12:53:20 #
dsmeltz wrote:
I did not see a budget mentioned. Is there one?
I do not know the budget, but I assume it is around the cost of the two cameras mentioned. Thank you for your interest.
Oct 22, 2014 12:56:24 #
thelazya wrote:
Get a 7D referb and a 70-300IS lens. She will be very satisfied with the results for under 1300.00
Thank you for your comment, I will pass it on.
Oct 22, 2014 13:00:45 #
mstuhr wrote:
LOL...I like my D70!! 'Course if I was in a $$ upgrade position...
;-) ;-)
Oct 22, 2014 13:01:39 #
Sirius_one wrote:
Thank you so very much, I will forward your message to her, it is very helpful.
I agree with amfoto1 except for the camera. If she is not doing video, get the t3i and save a couple more bucks for lenses.
Oct 22, 2014 13:02:06 #
Mark7829 wrote:
I go with either a Canon or Nikon. I am not so hot about the lens. I would not touch a bridge camera. She is young and carrying a larger DSLR is not problem, and would get better results in low light and likely other situations.
Thank you for your comment. She is not as young as you think :-P
Oct 22, 2014 13:04:00 #
wkocken wrote:
The Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS is a very nice wildlife lens for a beginner. My only gripe is that you have to slide a switch to go to manual focus. More modern lenses allow focus override by just focusing with the focus ring. The 70-300 is much better built than the 55-250. The comparable 70-300"L" would be better, but pricey. Beware of the cheaper Canon 75-300.
Thank you, I will pass on your comment.
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