pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

I just bought my first prime lens a 50mm f/1.8 and love it
It is teaching me more every day, such as how to get close to my subject, how to get different effects with DOF and so on.

I also love wildlife photography. I use a kit lens 75-300 1:4-5.6. Here is where i need the help. Should I go with a teleconverter , a stronger zoom lens or a 500 prime lens? I will say the more I use my 50mm prime the more I like it. But when using that lens my subjects are not moving for the most part. As we all know wildlife moves. I hope some of you will give me your thoughts.

thanks
Pappy

snowbear

A 1.4x TC will drop your aperture by one stops and a 2x will drop it two stops. The 1.4x TC turns your 75-300 into a f/5.6-8 and the 2x turns it into a f/8-11. At this range of apertures, the autofocus could be affected in less than ideal lighting.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Putting a tele extender on a kit lens... not such a great idea. Getting a big telephoto prime, if possible, is a good idea. Getting the fastest aperture you can afford is also a good idea. It is all about performance and the ability to shoot in ever more situations.

Also, with wildlife, a fluid head tripod might be another good investment. Panning smoothly with a bird in flight or an animal running makes for better images.

snowbear

Gimbal head?

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Wildlife can cover a lot of ground. I use a 400mm prime and the 100-400mm. Love them both but wish I could afford the 500mm prime instead of the 400mm.

Do you shoot any large wildlife such as deer + animals? If so the 100-400mm would be a great choice. If mainly birds at a distance then go for the 500m prime.

As already pointed out the TC on your present lens would not be the best option.

Jim D

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

A prime lens is always going to be better and sharper than any zoom lens especially with a TC attached... but then again a Tele Converter or Extender may fit nicely into your budget whereas you may find that you don't have enough Piggy Banks to break to get a good prime. One thing that that I would caution you on is to read compatibility charts for the TC that you are considering as they are not compatible with many lenses. I for instance have had both the Sigma 1.4 and 2x TC's and my canon 100mm macro loses auto focus with both... based on the f/stop requirements for auto focus I should have no problems with either.... My larger Sigma 180mm f/3.5 macro has fast and accurate auto focus when using the 1.4x Tele Converter but the faster canon lens does not. Something to consider as I am not sure that your lens is compatible with even the Canon Tele Extenders and I would find out before investing the money.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I specialize in wildlife - Speed is of the utmost importance ! That is why I suggest Canon, unless you have or can purchase the very latest Nikon equipment. This is a very recurring theme here on UHH. So, here are some options that I can personally recommend: 1. 300mm F4 prime with 1.4X or 400mm prime. Older used Sigma APO's are the cheapest route - IF you can find them ! 2. The Sigma 100-300 F4 with Tamron SP 1.4X is a great lens IF you get a good one like I did. These are dicontinued and selling new for $600. 3. 70/80-200 F2.8 zoom with Tamron or Canon 2X - used or new , with or w/o IS.
4. Canon 300mm F2.8 L non IS with Canon 2X - used. Cost? about $2500 for a GOOD one with TE. For me this is the ultimate set-up , realtively compact and lightweight with incredible IQ ! Whatever you use, you will definitely need to be at least on a well articulated monopod - IS or no IS. Cost? about $250 for a good one.