Jclear Loc: Bradenton FL

Good morning to all.

I'm a newbie here, 71 year old amateur, mostly travel photos.
This question may have already been answered elsewhere but I didn't find it in my topic search.

We will be traveling on a Caribbean cruise (20th) early march and going to Pensacola FL for the Blue Angel homecoming air show in November. As topic indicates I currently have the 80D with the 18-135 IS STM and 55-250 IS STM. I'm looking for something with more reach especially for the air show and for birds. Most pics are taken during cruises. Have considered the Tamron 18-400 and Canon EF 70-300 IS II USM. The 300mm doesn't add much more reach than the 250mm but faster lens and reviews suggest my current set is better than the 18-400.

Please help with opinions, experience and other possible options.

How does the Canon 18-135 compare to the Tamron 18-400?

Thanks in advance.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hey Jclear, welcome aboard! Your current EF-S lenses will be fine for your cruise. The EF 70-300 IS II will be a great choice for the airshow as well as some birds, just not particularly far away. The Blue Angels will be surprisingly close, if you haven't seen them before, where you won't even be at the maximum 300mm zoom. Given the closeness of the zoom range of the 55-250 and the 70-300, your question is valid, where the 70-300 will be the superior performer, both in image quality, IS support and the speed and accuracy of the AF. It's also cheaper than the 18-400.

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

In your stated price range a used 400 mm f5.6 . The lack of IS should not be a deterrent. The IQ of this lens will be superior to all the used 150-600's, and it is pounds lighter. Increase your price a bit for the 100-400 (original, push/pull) probably the best bang for the buck.

byuaceman Loc: Mesa, AZ

I am an amateur as well (67 yrs old) and have the Canon 70D. I have both lenses you are considering. I have used my 70-300 at air shows and it does very well. The Tamrom is newer to me and I have not had the chance though I will this summer. I do like the extra reach of the 400 over the 300 and, as an amateur, the image quality is fine for me. I used it in Africa last summer and it performed very well. Do a search on my name here in the hog and you can see some of my shots that I have posted.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have had and tested both the 55-250 and the 70-300 IS II. The 55-250 is a very GOOD lens - but the 70-300 is better ! If you shop, you may find the Tamron or Sigma 100-400's in your range - but the 70-300 will have better focus for fast moving subjects.

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abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Shooting birds in the wild with 300 mm usually is unsatisfactory. They are too far away and after you crop them, the pictures are noisy and not sharp. These lenses tend to be soft all the way out. I know you do not want to spend $1,000 or so but your best bet for birds in the wild is one of those great Sigma or Tamron 150-600 lenses. Perhaps you could find a used one but that does not solve your vacation problem. I had the two kit lenses that together gave me 18-200. What an inconvenience and I sold them for one 18-200. I now have the Sigma 18-300 which is as sharp as such a lens can be is marginal at 300.

My recommendation? Get rid of the two lenses you have and buy the Sigma 18-300 for the convenience which is important when you have to keep up with a group. Then, save for the 150-600. Or rent a 150-600 just for the airshow. The problem with that is once you have it, you will want to keep it. You might find it too heavy so consider bringing or renting a tripod rated for a lens this heavy. Make sure you get the lens collar and tripod adapter. You can still shoot the show handheld but the tripod is still a great help. Finally, shoot high speed.

Enjoy the cruise and airshow and show us what you have after you return.

PS While I was writing this, several other people posted. I think their suggestions are good and now we have created a new problem for OP: which advice to follow. He cannot go wrong with any of your ideas.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I like your advice. You should change where you are from to the FREEZING CITY.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

I live here in Crystal river Florida , I have friend that was trying to sell a tamron 150 - 600mm Canon mount a few months ago , to get a Sony a6000 she wasnt successfull B+ H would only allow her $400.00 over the phone her rock bottom is $ 600.00 she thought it was too heavy so not a lot of use . P. M . ME IF INTERESTED ...I am sure she still has it .

Jclear Loc: Bradenton FL

Thanks for the move offer but, if I ever move again it will be south of Cuba. After 21 years in the navy and a lot of tropical climes, blood is too thin. I was born and raised in Missouri. At the age of 17, I knew I wasn't cut out to be a farmer and liked warmer winter temps. 🌴😎🛳

Jclear Loc: Bradenton FL

Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I would get that much use for that heavy lens and would require use of a tripod, most of photos are hand held or using a monopod.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

It does have vc vibration compensation , I am a nikon person so not for me . So it is image stabilized, I think it would work well on mono pod .. you would have to ask other hogs ...

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

A 300 does not give much more reach than 250. The Tamron 18-400 might be your answer. On the other hand, renting a 150-600 would stay in your budget if the one offered above used doesn't work out. Also check KEH or B&H for refurbished, 'tho I think they will be out of your price range.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

With that budget you should be able to find the Mark I version of the 100-400 L. Still a fine lens.

Selene03

I haven't used the lens you have, so I am not sure how good it is. I have used the 70-300 II USM lens with my Sl2 and have found it to be an excellent lens. I have been particularly impressed at my ability to get good shots of whales from quite a distance away. I have also used it for birds (though maybe closer than you will be) and been very happy with it. I use a 100-400 II on my ff Canon cameras, sometimes with the 1.4 teleconverter. It is a great lens, but if I am moving quickly and my subject is moving quickly, I like the lightweight of the 70-300 lens. I really don't know the Tamron lens you are looking at. It could be good and would give you the advantage of single lens if the quality is good enough for you.

Photocraig

Hi jcler,
I've used the original and II versions of the EF 70-300 IS lens for over 20 years. On EOS 10S, A2, 50D and 77D (Close to your 80D). Results are terrific. A friend has the Tamron and my 300mm photos exceed hers (a good photographer) with her Tamron.

With the 24MP on your camera, especially with birds against a sky, etc. you should have good enough resolution to "crop in" more than enough to compensate for the 100mm extra reach. That's a generalization, of course, but it works for me better on the 77D than on my 16MP 50D.