What lens to use? The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh near my home. Then, I saw a reddish-orange bird with black wings. It was a Scarlet Tanager. I snuck along to get a...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh near my home. Then, I saw a reddish-orange bird with black wings. It was a Scarlet Tanager. I snuck along to get a photograph with my Canon 5D Mark IV and and it’s 28-135mm lens. It wasn’t close enough to get a definitive tack sharp photograph. Quickly, I switched to a 70-300mm lens. I also had poor results. I’m actually embarrassed to attach these blurred photos.

My question is this. Should I invest in a 150-600mm lens to obtain tack sharp photos of some birds?

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I was not seriously into bird photography so I hesitated to buy the Tamron 150-600 G2 but after taking the leap it has become my favorite lens. It's also great for closeups of flowers and insects. I loaned my 70-300 to my cousin and am in no hurry to get it back.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll probably find the 100-400L II is:

a) Sharper
b) More versatile
c) Can be extended by the 1.4x III for more reach
d) Is more expensive
e) Is heavier and larger, maybe negating the idea of a walkaround lens
f) Requires practice for sharp images of moving subjects with the appropriate camera configuration, just like all camera equipment

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

CHG_CANON wrote:

You'll probably find the 100-400L II is:

a) Sharper
b) More versatile
c) Can be extended by the 1.4x III for more reach
d) Is more expensive
e) Is heavier and larger, maybe negating the idea of a walkaround lens
f) Requires practice for sharp images of moving subjects with the appropriate camera configuration, just like all camera equipment

Thank you, Paul.
I always enjoy your point of view since I’m a newbie (started in 1976). If you wish to come to NY, there is plenty to photograph. I plan on Chicago soon just for fun and photos.

Happy Shooting!
Steven Gewirtz

A. T.

Scruples wrote:

The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh ne... (show quote)

All I will tell you is to do your homework before purchasing the 150-600mm tamron. I have that lens and I can tell you that it is a "good" lens; however, it is not sharp at the long end and it is definitely a light hog. Once your light starts to fade you might as well change lenses. I purchased the Nikkor 200-500mm 5.6 and rarely, if ever use the tamron. So, just do your homework before investing that kind of money. That's my experience from using the lens on a D500. Now, you will have many on this forum who love the lens but I'm telling you that the lens is fine until you get to the upper end of the focal length which is where you will need it for birding.

oakvillebob

I use nikon but my walk around lens is the 200-500 sometimes the auto focus is slow or it hunts but for birds a long lens is best and then full frame sensor which you have for cropping, the past few days I have downloaded a lot of bird and insect pictures I think you have viewed them. weight is a problem so up the iso I use 1600 as my default to alleviate hand held shake

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

Scruples wrote:

The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh ne... (show quote)

I also have the 5D mark IV. I'm using the Canon EF 100-400 II with a Canon 1.4x iii extender. Focusing is very fast, and down to 3-4 feet. In the attached cropped photo, the distance to the Hummingbird was about 15 feet. I'm very happy with the setup.

(Download)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Scruples wrote:

The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh ne... (show quote)

Since you have 28mm to 300mm covered with the two lenses you mentioned, do you really need another zoom lens? Have you thought about a 400mm prime or a 500mm prime, and a teleconverter?

CO

Scruples wrote:

The other day I was walking around a Salt Marsh ne... (show quote)

"I’m actually embarrassed to attach these blurred photos."

What was the reason for the blurred photos? Was it that you had to crop a lot and the image quality was diminished? Was it from camera shake or subject movement? Can you post images so we can better determine what's going on? Be sure to check the "Store Original" box when uploading.

bleirer

For the money the ef 400 f 5.6L is very sharp. With the 1.4 you can get to 560 mm. A good used copy should be about $900. Here is a comparison with the Tamron.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=278&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=2&LensComp=1079&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

bleirer wrote:

For the money the ef 400 f 5.6L is very sharp. With the 1.4 you can get to 560 mm. A good used copy should be about $900. Here is a comparison with the Tamron.

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=278&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=2&LensComp=1079&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0

I used to own that lens. Yes, it is sharp and a lightweight. What I didn't like, was the 11-1/2 ft minimum focusing distance.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I’m cropped my photos of the Scarlet Tanager. The photos were blurry and I’m inclined to believe it is camera shake. Since I don’t use the 70-300mm that often. I will be using a tripod and lens supporter Bracket on my next attempt.
As for a larger zoom lens, I’m asking other Hoggers of their experience. As for a 500mm prime lens, it is one of my choices.
I have gotten good advice from fellow Hoggers and will be doing my homework. Thanks to all.

Happy Shooting!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might want to rent a lens rather than imagining how it will be, especially when you start mentioning $9000 500mm primes ...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Now that is news my wife will agree with. After all, she tolerates SOME of my GAS attacks.

You just earned a new friend.

Thanks Again

Happy Shooting!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Scruples wrote:

Now that is news my wife will agree with. After all, she tolerates SOME of my GAS attacks.

You just earned a new friend.

Thanks Again

Happy Shooting!

Lens Rentals is my preferred online rental source. You might find the 300 f/4L IS is a good fit for something handy to have in your bag as a secondary lens rather than the 70-300. It can be extended too with either the 1.4x and 2.0x.