Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

Hi all....

I'm taking a "next" step. I'm going to try to photograph wildlife at a refuge during a short vacation and maybe dolphins in the gulf. I'm not sure what to take with me, what type of lens to use, best "starting point" ISO..etc.

I shoot with a Canon 7d, have a few lenses (24-105, 70-200, 16-35, 50mm, 24-70). I leave next week. Don't really want to haul all of that stuff, but wanted to know what you would recommend. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! D

Goldwinger Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

Wild life is usually caught at a distance so longer is better .

Pockets Loc: Dallas Metro

Thank you!!

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

I'm tempted to say 24-70 and 70-200 just because they line up so nicely without overlap and both are 2.8 I'm assuming. you can take the 70-200 when out stalking and the other for everything else. On further reflection I started leaning toward the 24-105 f4 as the walk about since it has an excellant IS that the other lense doesn't plus a little extra legs if your out with it solo.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

D, Welcome to the stratosphere of photography, WILDLIFE !
Your 7D is excellent. Remember, SMALL birds/BIG lens. For most birds the 200 is barely big enough. I started with the same and realized I was working really hard. At the very least try to beg, borrow or steal a 1.4X. NO lens is too big for birds. The bigger the better. Shore birds often stand still and you can use a slow ISO for better rez, ISO 200-400. Smaller birds move a lot and very fast. Probably will need f4(the bokeh is desirable) and ISO as fast as 800 or more depending on light. try to stay at speed 1/1000 to 2000 to keep'em sharp. If you are going to do the work you want your shoots sharp and as close(distance) as possible. Feather detail falls apart VERY fast with cropping. Focus on the eye. Move your focus point(in Camera) to focus still shore birds. White birds need to be several stops underexpoesd to not blow out. Use your blinkies to control white bird exposure. Practivce with a white plastic bottle in the sun to get an idea of the under exposure needed. Don't blow out white feathers. Keep the sun to your back(won't need a CPL on water).
If there are nice landscapes take your 16/35. The 24's are not wide enough on your camera and too short for any wildlife. I would take the 24/105(yes I know the 70 is faster). Your camera will live with the 200 on it and a 1.4x if you can get one. If you can camo yourself or shoot from a blind, take a good tripod. Let me know how your trip turns out. You will get lots of feedback on this one.
Good luck
P.S. If you are ready for wildlife, open the book and take a peek at the 500mm f4 mkll, then slam it shut fast before you start to want one.

fergal

a monpod is good - stick to lean on but can be moved around very easily and has already been said for the birds - the longer the better

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The most ideal lens for wildlife is the 500mm f4. If you find that you really like the challenge of getting wildlife images, keep your eyes open for the EF 500mm f4 IS (non II). You can get them for about $5500-$6000 when you can find them. People aren't selling them because the new II is so expensive. If you can't afford that lens, the next most common lens for us Canon shooters is the 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 IS zoom lens. These can be purchased new for $1600 or used for about $1200 and they are easy to use push/pull zooms. Great for wildlife and a lot more.

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

As for the wildlife part of this journey, I wouldn't take any steps in the refuge without the 70-200 on the 7D. If other folks of importance are tagging along, I would bring the 24-70 along to document their presence. That bit if versatility is good for future considerations, slideshows, etc.

That being said, coastal locations as you mention offer a great opportunity to add some sand or windrift particles to the inside of your camera body depending on the conditions. Keep this in mind.

deanc2006 Loc: lancaster ohio

I have the 400 5.6 and it is probably the best in flight lens. I have also used the 800 5.6 but it is hard to hand hold. To freeze motion without flash I would recommend shutter 1600 and I try to keep the ISO below 1000 so you have the option to crop. best of luck.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

The 7D is a great wildlife camera. Make sure you have it set right for the type of photography you are going to do. Become very familiar with the autofocus points and how to move them around quickly if needed. As far as lenses go, you might want to rent a lens for the trip. I would try to find a 100-400mm zoom to take along. It is probably the most versatile lens for this type of shooting and not too heavy to hand hold. It is my most used lens and I have gotten some of my best images with it. Of course, a 500mm f4 is even better but much heavier and harder to hand hold if you can't use a tripod.

strictlyflorida Loc: Melbourne, FL

I shoot wildlife, thats all I shoot. I use a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 120-300 f2.8. It is my favorite lens. 90% of the time, I shoot in manual mode. Under heavy canopies like at Mead Gardens or at Fakatahatchee strand, shooting small birds like white eyed vieros or yellow throated warblers is a huge challenge. I go to Ap setting and set ISO to auto. The only time I use a TC is when it is bright and I shoot shore birds or waders. A monopod is a must. You must be very patience, stand still for periods of times, stand in water or crouch in the brush.
A good zoom is a must because wildlife does not stand still very long.

nat Loc: Martha's Vineyard, MA

At some point, you might consider getting a 55-250. I 'never leave home without it.' It has IS, it's light-weight, and its range is ready for anything! I paid nearly $300 for mine several years ago but they have gone down to well under $200 and they're frequently included as a kit lens. I have a lot of lenses and if I had to give them all up but one, this is the one I would choose to keep.

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

I use a Canon 60D with the 100-400 mm IS lens for the type of photography you want to do and find it to be excellent. With the crop factor it is like a 640 mm lens. You can hand hold for birds in flight and the image can be cropped to close in on the subject for more detail and still have an excellent photo. Don't use it with convertors. You won't be happy with the results.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I agree with everyone. The bigger the lens the better. I shoot a Nikon D-7000 with a Sigma 150-500. Try to keep the shutter speed above 1000, auto ISO is a big help.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

For wildlife photography the most important asset you can take is a generous amount of patience. Be prepared to spend a considerable time waiting for the animals/birds to show up and present themselves in a manner that will make a photograph rather than a snap shot. I often carry a light weight folding stool to sit on while waiting. Its amazing how many birds show up after you have been sitting quietly for 15 minutes.