Telephoto lens
Dec 4, 2017 08:23:12 #
I need a telephoto for nature, gardens, and zoos. I have a canon 6d and am looking at a sigma 100-400 f5-6.3, a canon 70-200 f/4l (with 1.4 extender, a Canon EF 70-300 f4/5.6 is USM. I currently have a 50mm 1.8 and a 24-105 f4l. Any help will be appreciated.
Dec 4, 2017 09:08:32 #
You can't mount an extender to the Canon EF 70-300 f4/5.6 IS, although maybe you meant the 1.4 extender with the 70-200L (?) which is a valid configuration.
Your overall best option, if cost is not an issue, is the EF 100-400L II. This is a big, not too heavy, lens. Although the lens works great with a 1.4 giving even more focal length, the lens with the extender will not autofocus on your 6D.
The 70-200 f/4L is probably the cheapest and lightest option with great image quality. Very useful general purpose lens (gardens), but maybe a bit short for "nature" and "zoos". I've used this lens at several zoos with plenty of success, but not for subjects at great distance.
If you have a budget and / or have limitations on size & weight, this impacts your options and recommendations. The next step up in focal length in the Canon line are the various versions of 70-300 zooms, with the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II being the newest release. None of the 70-300 models can be "extended", but 300mm brings you a lot closer to the subject than 200mm.
Your overall best option, if cost is not an issue, is the EF 100-400L II. This is a big, not too heavy, lens. Although the lens works great with a 1.4 giving even more focal length, the lens with the extender will not autofocus on your 6D.
The 70-200 f/4L is probably the cheapest and lightest option with great image quality. Very useful general purpose lens (gardens), but maybe a bit short for "nature" and "zoos". I've used this lens at several zoos with plenty of success, but not for subjects at great distance.
If you have a budget and / or have limitations on size & weight, this impacts your options and recommendations. The next step up in focal length in the Canon line are the various versions of 70-300 zooms, with the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II being the newest release. None of the 70-300 models can be "extended", but 300mm brings you a lot closer to the subject than 200mm.
Dec 4, 2017 09:16:50 #
Not trying to be flippant here but believe good technique is more important than the capabilities of most glass. By that I mean a solid tripod, quality head, some form of remote release (either electronic or cable) & use of mirror lockup if your body has that feature, when appropriate. If flowers are part of your intention then check up on each lens you're considering minimum focus distance and with the zooms does minimum distance affect actual focal length. Personally I tend to prefer primes as they tend to be more compact & lighter in weight. However for zoo shots a good zoom would be quite handy. With nature & gardens one can simply move camera/tripod position in many cases. I am not familiar with Canon as I've always used Nikon but everyone I know who does use Canon is quite pleased with their glass. I've never owned a Sigma product. Happy hunting.
Dec 4, 2017 10:10:58 #
if you want a long lens that you can hand hold go with the Sigma 100-400 or the new Tamron 100-400. I have the Sigma and it's a well built but light weight lens that is tac sharp even wide open and you can't beat the price.
Dec 4, 2017 10:12:36 #
Dec 4, 2017 10:15:04 #
Dec 4, 2017 15:39:40 #
redbeard1947 wrote:
I need a telephoto for nature, gardens, and zoos. I have a canon 6d and am looking at a sigma 100-400 f5-6.3, a canon 70-200 f/4l (with 1.4 extender, a Canon EF 70-300 f4/5.6 is USM. I currently have a 50mm 1.8 and a 24-105 f4l. Any help will be appreciated.
I used Canon 100-400 (both the mk 1 and mk 2 versions) with a 6D* for a few years. Also the Tamron 150-600. The 150-600 gets you more reach but is bigger and heavier, also needs better light. The Sigma and Tamron 100-400 are both less expensive and smaller/lighter than the Canon. I have seen a lot of good shots with them.
How much "reach" do you want? Will you be hand holding or using tripod? If hand holding then stay with the 100-400s, I used to handhold the 150-600 but anything to brace against became my friend so I usually used it off a tripod.
* No extender with 6D because it doesn't AF beyond f/5.6. I now use a 5DIV and with a 1.4x III it equals the 150-600 in reach so I traded the 150-600 since I no longer really needed it.
Dec 5, 2017 09:36:38 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You can't mount an extender to the Canon EF 70-300... (show quote)
I have a Canon EF 70-300 f4/5.6 IS USM and a 1.4 extender. Works just fine on that lens.
Dec 5, 2017 09:54:21 #
jpintn wrote:
I have a Canon EF 70-300 f4/5.6 IS USM and a 1.4 extender. Works just fine on that lens.
A Canon Extender EF 1.4x of any version? They can't physically be connected ... whatever ...
Dec 5, 2017 10:26:40 #
I have the Canon 70-200 f/4 with IS, plus the 1.4x extender that is made by Canon to pair with that lens. It is a great combination. You essentially get two lenses by carrying only that small extender. I have gotten such sharp photos using the extender that when I compare them to the prior year's photos of similar action at the same location, you can't see the difference. Not to mention that with the lens plus extender, you will not need to crop your photos as much to bring the image subject "in" so the sharpness is retained. Good luck with your choice! JimR
Dec 5, 2017 10:56:46 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
A Canon Extender EF 1.4x of any version? They can't physically be connected ... whatever ...
I have a Kenko 1.4x and it connects pertfectly to my Canon 70-300L lens. Just took this shot with it handheld. Look at the metadata.
Dec 5, 2017 11:04:32 #
jpintn wrote:
I have a Kenko 1.4x and it connects pertfectly to my Canon 70-300L lens. Just took this shot with it handheld. Look at the metadata.
You have corrected the inaccuracy of my earlier statement. A Canon extender cannot be connected the any of Canon's several EF 70-300 lenses ...
Since extenders have been an active topic, see the following if you missed these posts over the past day or so ...
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-500576-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-500438-1.html
Given the OP has an EOS 6D camera body and they're considering a new lens and possibly a lens and an extender, they can use the comments and the various posted examples as input into their consideration of the options.
Dec 5, 2017 11:32:28 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
A Canon Extender EF 1.4x of any version? They can't physically be connected ... whatever ...
While I am sure that you believe what you are saying, what more proof do you need than these photos with the 1.4X connected to my 70-300 and also connected to my Canon camera, and a photo shot in my garage with it all connected?
Dec 5, 2017 11:34:00 #
Dec 5, 2017 12:49:08 #
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