Linda P

Hi all, I have finally invested in a better-than-point-and-shoot DSLR. I got a Canon t3 with 18-55 and 75-300 zoom lenses. I want to shoot wildlife, mostly birds, but we are going on an Alaska cruise in July.

Obviously, the 300 isn't getting me close to far away birds. The attached eagle was FAR away. I really don't want to tote a lens that is 1/3 my height.

The questions are, 1) will a "doubler" work and 2) do I need an expensive one or will the cheap ones do the job, knowing that the AF won't function properly?

Any advice will be helpful!

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snowbear

Will one work? Perhaps. Depending on your lens and the TC make, it may or may not mount. A 2x will kill about 2 stops of light, so if your lens is f/5.6 @ 300, it will drop to f/11.

The best thing is to read the specs on the tele-converter.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

If you want the shot, you will need to invest in the lens to get it with. I have found nothing better for the money than the Sigma 150-500mm zoom. It is heavy at almost 5 pounds, but will get you the shots you seek. It also has Optical image Stabilization (OS) so that you can get those shots handheld. At about $1050 brand new its a bargain in todays lens world.
As far as a 2x tele? with your lenses it would be a total waste of time, there is no way you could manually focus it on a bird in flight with the extremely dim view you would get in your viewfinder.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.