philo Loc: philo, ca

I will be going to an event (indoors) where there will be a large population of humming birds.
I only want to carry one lens. should it be
24-70
70-200
150-600
I don't think I will be able to use a tripod because of the number of people attending.
thanks

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I would use the 70-200. If I could use a monopod......I'd think some more...

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

if those are the only lenses you have, the 70-200 would probably be best, especially if you need to hand hold. if a 105 macro is an option that would be great. you do not say what camera you will be using, fx or dx, so if it is a dx format, the 24-70 would work. the 150-600 may be too heavy for hand holding.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Myself I would go with the 70-200 for some telephoto reach....

In my opinion, the 24-70 is not enough reach, and unless you know you can get up close and personal could be a problem....that being said, if you know you can get into a position close to a food source that will not prevent them from feeding, and you can maintain a very still stance, a 24-70 might be a great lens.

The 150-600 is too heavy without a tripod, plus being indoors might not be very useable.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Agree - take the 70-200. The 24-70 may be too short unless you get very close, and the 150-600 will be awfully heavy to hand hold.

richfred

You will have a lot of competition for good position & will have to work to get an unobstructed view...meaning you should get as close to the hummies as you can. The 24 - 70 would work well but with insufficient light and the likelihood that the lens is not stabilized you will need a very fast shutter. May have to turn the ISO way up.
richfred

philo Loc: philo, ca

thanks for all of the feedback. I think I will go with the 70-200 and take along a mono just in case.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If there will be enough light - the 150-600 - these birds are tiny and you will be at or near your close focusing distance - which is about 9 ft for 1:5 magnification at 600mm.

To get the same magnification with the 70-200, you'd be at 4.6 ft give or take.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

It does not hurt to ask, if you can take a flash and know how to use it your shots will be fantastic...

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

70-200 works great on crop cameras

IMGP8898 by Tim Crumly, on Flickr

philo Loc: philo, ca

i shoot with a canon 5d mark 2 and a sony a6000

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

[quote=hangman45]70-200 works great on crop cameras

nice shot

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

70-200 assisted by a 2x TC

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The more you zoom, the more stability you need. I would use the 24-70 and crop as necessary. Better sharp and cropped than zoomed and blurry.

Tracht3

I believe that what most are saying has some truth to it. I shoot hummingbirds in Costa Rica. You need to understand your subject. Hummies fly up and down forwards and backwards and upside down. Very important to know this. It means that it is difficult to full frame the entire image in one shot. Cropping is almost always necessary. The 150-600 is way too big unless you are far away plus its a slow lens to I would say dont waste your time. 24-70 is faster but not enough reach so you will have to get real close and that would effect the flight of the Hummie. 70=200 is probably your best option. Shooting Hummies is different than any other bird you will shoot. In my opinion probably the most difficult. I always say that you lose points when the feeder is in the picture. I try to never include the feeder in the photo. If you get good shots than I can assure you that you are no less than an intermediate photographer. You will improve in many ways when you take on these little guys. Have fun and enjoy shooting first. Take the 70-200 2.8, its the best tele zoom they have in my opinion.