Lens for birding
Dec 30, 2018 05:47:02 #
For birding, particularly BIF I don’t think, on your budget, you could do better than the Canon 400 f/5.6 Prime. It’s so light and sharp, no IS but you won’t need it with the shutter speeds you’ll use. If there’s one thing I regret that’s selling mine when I bought the 100-400 mkII, should’ve kept it.
Dec 30, 2018 06:27:16 #
[quote=Gene51]Sigma lenses (and maybe Tamron) will report to the camera that their maximum aperture is F5.6 even if it is actually F6.3. I have never had an issue with older Nikon cameras that were not supposed to autofocus with F6.3 lenses (D200, D70S, D300), and I am pretty sure at least one of my [past students was using a Sigma C 150-600 on an older Canon body - probably a 40D - and had no issues with AF.[/quote]
Perhaps on Canon (but I doubt it). My Tamrin 150-600 G2 autofocuses at 6.3 on my D500. Also to 8 with matched 1.4 extender.
doclrb
Perhaps on Canon (but I doubt it). My Tamrin 150-600 G2 autofocuses at 6.3 on my D500. Also to 8 with matched 1.4 extender.
doclrb
Dec 30, 2018 06:33:40 #
Thank you Gene and Mike for your comments. Looked at the 400 L but thought the no IS would be a bad idea. Now it's back in the mix.
Dec 30, 2018 06:42:03 #
doclrb wrote:
Perhaps on Canon (but I doubt it). My Tamrin 150-600 G2 autofocuses at 6.3 on my D500. Also to 8 with matched 1.4 extender.
doclrb
doclrb
Thanks for your comments. So many lens, not enough greenbacks.
.
Dec 30, 2018 06:46:04 #
as I do most of my work in the brighter part of the day I have a lot of leeway. a Minolta 80-300mm G lens on a slt a-77 gives me plenty of range and IQ. a 70-200mm apo G hi-speed plus their 2x tc gives me even more range. I have plenty of images in my portfolio to prove my contention.
Dec 30, 2018 06:51:59 #
royden wrote:
Thank you Gene and Mike for your comments. Looked at the 400 L but thought the no IS would be a bad idea. Now it's back in the mix.
IS on a lens for birding is a mixed bag. Most of the time IS will be off. You really don't want it when you are using shutter speeds shorter than 1/500, or when you are on a tripod shooting a static subject. Here are some images that were taken with the 400 F5.6, and most recently (the last 12 months) with a 100-400 F5.6 II.
https://untamednewyork.smugmug.com/Birds
Early on she used it with a Canon 7D and the later images were done with a 5D Mk III.
I don't think a lens without IS will prevent you from getting amazing pictures. The 400 F5.6 is a particularly great lens when paired with a crop sensor camera, and the choice of many birders because it is so light and sharp.
Dec 30, 2018 06:57:24 #
royden wrote:
I have developed a liking for birding. Was at a wi... (show quote)
Many good suggestions, just reiterate that for birding 400mm is minimum and a zoom to 600mm would be better.
Dec 30, 2018 07:25:18 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
royden wrote:
I have developed a liking for birding. Was at a wi... (show quote)
Many of the folks who shoot at Wakodahatchee and Green Cay in Delray Beach Florida use a Canon 100-400 II on a cropped sensor camera. My buddy uses that lens with the Canon 5D Mark IV with a 1.4 tele convertor. They all get excellent results. At both of these locations birds are not that far away and any combination of the above will work. But, I am a Nikon guy and I wish Nikon made a lens like the 100-400 II.
Dec 30, 2018 08:54:30 #
royden wrote:
I have developed a liking for birding. Was at a wi... (show quote)
First, with any lens and birds, you WILL be cropping and AF WILL be critical - so it behooves you to have a decent sensor/body - as a minimum I would recommend the T4i used @ $250-300 followed by the SL2.
The 70-300 IS II nano is a GREAT lens - equal to the 70-200's with 1.4X but much cheaper ! ($400 used)- but no tripod collar.
The 400 prime is a GREAT lens - but IMO, needs special techniques for management/stabilization.
Finally, f6.3 lenses can AF on f5.6 enabled bodies - BUT, f5.6 lenses will focus faster and more accurately - period ! - AND, For AF reasons, CANON lenses will focus faster and more accurately also !
..
Dec 30, 2018 09:11:15 #
royden wrote:
I have developed a liking for birding. Was at a wi... (show quote)
I use the Tamron 150-600. Here's why I chose it over its 150-600 competitors: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-458752-1.html.
I have been extraordinarily happy with it.
Dec 30, 2018 09:25:06 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
imagemeister wrote:
First, with any lens and birds, you WILL be croppi... (show quote)
I am sorry, but Nikon lenses on there new bodies focus as fast as anyone's lenses, including Canon. Your statement lacks a certain basis in reality.
Dec 30, 2018 09:29:05 #
billnikon wrote:
I am sorry, but Nikon lenses on there new bodies focus as fast as anyone's lenses, including Canon. Your statement lacks a certain basis in reality.
If you weren't so insecure about Nikon, you'd understand the comment and the overall discussion is Canon vs 3rd party on a Canon body at a used $700 price-point. A statement that is just as accurate for Nikon vs 3rd party ...
Dec 30, 2018 09:30:36 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
If you weren't so insecure about Nikon, you'd understand the comment and the overall discussion is Canon vs 3rd party on a Canon body at a used $700 price-point. A statement that is just as accurate for Nikon vs 3rd party ...
Dec 30, 2018 09:35:34 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
imagemeister wrote:
Your quote, not mine. " .....thick skin a pre-requisite here on UHH"
Dec 30, 2018 09:39:50 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Someone just posted the perfect lens for you on UHH classifieds this morning. Its a 150-600mm Tamron for only $550.
That is probably the older model and was perfect until Sigma and Tamron introduced the current models. The new ones are so sharp that many would find buying an older one a waste of money.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.