Camara lens: Hello! I am interested in everyone's take on camera lens (I have a canon). I know you get what you pay for, but are there any good lens (600mm + ) that won't break the...

Chvgal

Hello! I am interested in everyone's take on camera lens (I have a canon). I know you get what you pay for, but are there any good lens (600mm + ) that won't break the bank that can be trusted? I've seen them run from $167 (650-2600Mm HD Telephoto Zoom Lens Vivitar) up to $12,000+ for others. I primarily shoot bird and nature. Thoughts everyone?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Essentially, you get what you pay for. This may not be the standard case, but with lenses such as you've mentioned, it applies.
--Bob

Chvgal wrote:

Hello! I am interested in everyone's take on camera lens (I have a canon). I know you get what you pay for, but are there any good lens (600mm + ) that won't break the bank that can be trusted? I've seen them run from $167 (650-2600Mm HD Telephoto Zoom Lens Vivitar) up to $12,000+ for others. I primarily shoot bird and nature. Thoughts everyone?

BebuLamar

Any decent 600+ mm lens would going to break the bank (of course it depends on whose bank it is).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'd do better throwing your money in the trash vs this idea. A 2.4 average star rating on Amazon should be a indication of what to expect.

For a budget option your better choices are to shop for a used Sigma or Tamron 150-600 in the $500 - $800 range or a used ver 1 Canon EF 100-400L in the $800 range. These will address bird and nature if you have a serious interest.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

A lot of folks like the Tamron 150 - 600 mm lens. It's about $1400. On a cropped frame camera it's 900mm equivalent on the long end. I have one for my Nikon and really like it. For a walk about lens, I have the Tamron 18-400mm. They run about $700. On a cropped frame camera, it's about 600mm equivalent on the long end. IMHO, the cheap Vivitar you mentioned is probably junk. Of course, Canon probably has something similar to the Tamrons that I mentioned. . . .

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

These are lenses that I recommend that won’t break the bank:
1. Best bang for the buck is the Canon 100-400mm Mark II lens. $1760 Refurbished by Canon.
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-100-400mm-f45-56l-is-ii-usm-refurbished

2. Any of the Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm zooms. But the picture quality is much better on the Canon 100-400 mm lens. But these are a little cheaper.

The Canon has plenty of reach at 400mm in my opinion. You can get another 160mm added to the 100-400 if you use the Canon 1.4x teleconverter but don’t use this unless you also have a newer Canon camera body like the 7D Mark II.

Love Wildlife

I use the Sigma 150-600mm contemporary lens which has worked great for me for wildlife. It runs at about $980 at regular price. I have shot with it through all the mms and for my eye the pics are quite nice. Even though is is not a macro lens it does do very nicely capturing detail in the macro world. I use it on a croped sensor and get approxamately 18x magnification and it will focus down to 9.2 feet at 600mm and that is where I use it for macro. Just my experiene with it.

Jim

Robyn H Loc: MainLine PA

The relatively inexpensive mirror lenses aren't too bad except they have no aperture and are usually around f/8. Ok if you have the light.
The Sigma 150-600 contemporary with matching teleconverter can be had for around $1000 USD which is a decent combo, but again, it needs good light unless you don't have a problem with higher ISO'S. I have one I use on a D500 with acceptable results. I also have a Sigma 150-600 Sport with matching teleconverter for Canon. The combo works pretty good on a tripod with decent light. It's kind of heavy for hand holding for any length of time. A combo like that costs over $2000 USD.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

rmalarz wrote:

Essentially, you get what you pay for. This may not be the standard case, but with lenses such as you've mentioned, it applies.
--Bob

I agree. You will be better off saving up for a quality lens than be sorry later.
Also, if you primarily photograph birds, a 600 mm is tough to wield around chasing birds in flight. You will get a lot of fuzzy pics. It seemed to me I read a thread on a Canon gear sale in the hog. Now where was that? OK here it is:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-555532-1.html
There is an older model 100-400 in this which you would be happy with. Not sure if the price is right for you, but pm the seller and find out what can be done.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Chvgal wrote:

Hello! I am interested in everyone's take on camera lens (I have a canon). I know you get what you pay for, but are there any good lens (600mm + ) that won't break the bank that can be trusted? I've seen them run from $167 (650-2600Mm HD Telephoto Zoom Lens Vivitar) up to $12,000+ for others. I primarily shoot bird and nature. Thoughts everyone?

IMO, the BEST you can do on a budget is a used Canon 400mm 5.6 prime and the 1.4X II extender. You will need to be using an f8 enabled body to get to 560mm - about $850-900 if you shop hard. Light weight and fast focus !

..

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

CHG_CANON wrote:

You'd do better throwing your money in the trash vs this idea. A 2.4 average star rating on Amazon should be a indication of what to expect.

For a budget option your better choices are to shop for a used Sigma or Tamron 150-600 in the $500 - $800 range or a used ver 1 Canon EF 100-400L in the $800 range. These will address bird and nature if you have a serious interest.

Nikon1201

I have a Sigma 50-500 and it takes sharp pics on both ends . Bought it from KEH for around $800 some time ago . Heavy but great lens

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I have taken some very nice shots with my sigma 150-600C from amazon for $989.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Chvgal wrote:

Hello! I am interested in everyone's take on camera lens (I have a canon). I know you get what you pay for, but are there any good lens (600mm + ) that won't break the bank that can be trusted? I've seen them run from $167 (650-2600Mm HD Telephoto Zoom Lens Vivitar) up to $12,000+ for others. I primarily shoot bird and nature. Thoughts everyone?

Get a name brand lens or a good aftermarket brand - Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, for example. Buy used from KEH or ebay or look at what's for sale here. Read reviews before you buy anything.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The lens that you most probably need is a Tamron or Sigma 150-600. In the second hand market their prices are reasonable.