olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I have the 650-1300 (Bell & Howell version, and can double to 2600), its better as a telescope, I got mine for $50 from a pawn shop, I wouldn't spend more than that. When out birding, I set it on a tripod with an old film body on it for folks to look through. It needs a support bar for longer shot, as they tend to droop.

For birding, buy a good quality lens, something fairly fast, and crop. Otherwise you will just be frustrated with a lot of "almost good enough" shots.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The Sigma and Tamron 150-600 are probably the best balance of quality and economy right now.

agillot

i started with a T mount 500 bower , then moved on a used 600 /1200 vivitar , then a 800mm nikon nikkor film era lens , also a used 400mm tokina .if you want to get your feet wet in birds , a manual basic is a good learner , you will learn to juggle the 3 settings .you cant beat the 12k lens for pics quality .i think that a 150/600 tamron would be it today .

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

High quality glass (=expensive)can give you hgh quality photos as long as your ability matches the lens' quality. I match my glass with my ability and thus can get by with less expense. 😜😜

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Sigma 150-600mm OS "Sport".... $1800
Tamron 150-600mm VC "G2".... $1300
Sigma 150-600mm OS "Contemporary"... $800
Tamron 150-600mm VC (original)... $800

The above weigh 4.5 to 6 lb. and use 95mm to 105mm filters.

Even bigger and heavier, but sharper than any of the above...

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 OS with Sigma 1.4X teleconverter... $3750.

Or, work on your stalking skills to get a little closer to your subjects, or get them to come closer to you by using a hide or attractants, so you can use...

Tamron 100-400mm VC.... $800 (optional tripod mount, $129)
Sigma 100-400mm OS... $700 (no tripod mount)

Or, sharpest of them all...

Canon 100-400mm "II" IS... $2100
Canon 100-400mm IS (original push/pull zoom)... $1200
Canon 400mm f/5.6L (no IS)... $1250.
Canon 300mm f/4L IS with EF 1.4X III teleconverter... $1780.

You can compare magnified test shots made with all or most of these, at different focal lengths and apertures, at:

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=978&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0

You didn't mention the specific camera you have, but for telephoto work with any of the above you'll get "1.6X more reach" with the lens using it on one of the APS-C/crop sensor models (versus full frame).

And some Canon cameras are able to autofocus 1.4X teleconverter on the Canon 100-400s or 400mm f/5.6.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I have the Tamron 150-600 II and I’m very happy with it.
Check out Roberts Camera in Indianapolis they’re having a used equipment sale, they have gear in excellent condition, and are a great group of folks to deal with.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

If birds are your interest then you should consider a used lens, personally I would recommend a Canon 400mm prime lens can be purchased in the $700 range or you may choose to go with a zoom and I think that the Tamron and Sigma 150-600's can be purchased at the same price, you may have difficulty with focus on the super zooms depending on your camera model, many of the older Canon bodies will not auto-focus at apertures smaller than f/5.6.

The 650-2600 zooms for under $200 are garbage, you would probably do better just cropping from your kit lens.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

Has anyone owned both the Tamron 150 to 600 v1 and the Canon 100 to 400 v2? I have the Tamron V1 and am considering getting the Canon. Is the image quality much better?
I shoot with a Canon 5D3.

survivaldealer Loc: NE Utah

I bought that Vivitar lens you are considering. It is a little large for a paper weight and not quite heavy enough for a boat anchor.

It isn't balanced so it may take you several days to get it to stay where you set it, once you attach your camera body.
The manual focus is soft.
The slide extender will affect the weight balance and change what you are looking at when you slide the camera body down or out, you will no longer have the moon in your view.
Even after I bought a $120 tripod, I still had issues.

It looks cool though.

And as lessons go, it is a cheap one.

Floyd

Chvgal

Thanks for the input. Pretty much what I thought, was just being hopeful for a brief second! LOL

Chvgal

:-)

Chvgal

Do they have a website? Indy's only a couple of hours away, but would be nice to see what they have before making the drive. Thanks for the tip!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, If you shoot the Tamron @500mm and f8 and the Canon @400mm f5.6 the optical image qualities are very CLOSE. The biggest difference will be in better AF performance with faster moving or lower light subjects with the Canon.

Adding the Canon 1.4XIII will bring you to 560mm f8 vs 600mm f6.3 for the Tamron - again optical image qualities very close - but again, IMO, the AF advantage goes to Canon - others may not agree.

..

Chvgal

How about the difference between a 600mm and a 800? Much? Used a 600 for shooting bears in the Smokies and was pretty good, but still not what I really was hoping for.

Chvgal

How about the difference between a 600mm and a 800? Much? Used a 600 for shooting bears in the Smokies and was pretty good, but still not what I really was hoping for.