What type of lens do you use for birds? I have a 24-105mm that came with my Canon 6d Mark II, but it doesn’t seem like I could take a really good photo of a bird with it. Not that I...

kscanman Loc: Wisconsin

I have a 24-105mm that came with my Canon 6d Mark II, but it doesn’t seem like I could take a really good photo of a bird with it. Not that I want to really get into taking bird photos, but Ive seen some beautiful bird photos on this site. What kind of lenses are you guys using?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If depends on how close you can get. You might have success at a backyard bird feeder at 300mm. But typically, you need reach to a minimum of 400mm, especially from a full-frame body.

Consider the 100-400L II, or EF 400 f/5.6L, or any of the third party 150-600mm options. At about $1000 for a used lens, you can spend upward from there as much as you want. Some larger or non IS lenses will be easier to use from a tripod. Account for that tool in the budget, if needed.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I use an 80-400 Nikon but I shoot from a blind. I also use a pretty decent tripod and an remote

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I use a Sigma 150-500, which, I believe, has been replaced in Sigma's lineup with a 150-600.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

The 20-600 that is permanently attached to my Sony RX10 IV, usually at 600 f4.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Nikon 200-500mm with a 1.4X Extender.

neillaubenthal

kscanman wrote:

I have a 24-105mm that came with my Canon 6d Mark II, but it doesn’t seem like I could take a really good photo of a bird with it. Not that I want to really get into taking bird photos, but Ive seen some beautiful bird photos on this site. What kind of lenses are you guys using?

As long as you can (a) afford and (b) carry. Although some will tell you that 300 or even 400 is enough…getting close is hard to achieve consistently and in many cases simply isn’t possible at all…and cropping only helps so much as you lose MP when doing so. I’ve got a Nikon 500PF and in many cases even it on a DX body isn’t enough…which forces one to settle for environmental shots of t(e eagle instead of a portrait.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Bird photography can be a real wollybugger! For those of us who can't afford one of the realy Looong lenses, we do with what we have. I have a 70-300 that I really like, and I tend to go where the birds are habituated to people. Aviaries, Zoos, parks, etc. Places where people feed the birds...just beware of the self-righteous soccer moms who will ask; "ARE you feeding the birds Chocolate?" Then proceed to lecture on bird feeding. By then the hope of bird photeaux (and the bird) will have fled! I try not to let my response equal their bad manners!

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

sigma 150/600 and getting good results

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

kscanman wrote:

I have a 24-105mm that came with my Canon 6d Mark II, but it doesn’t seem like I could take a really good photo of a bird with it. Not that I want to really get into taking bird photos, but Ive seen some beautiful bird photos on this site. What kind of lenses are you guys using?

It depends on what length you are willing to go to.
Put the camera on a tripod, bait the area you expect the bird to land and trip the shutter remotely when it arrives.
Shoot ff in crop mode for 40% increase in focal length.
Crop to extreme, enlarge, remove noise and sharpen in post.
Add an extender providing your lens can support it.

coj Loc: NJ, USA

cambriaman wrote:

Nikon 200-500mm with a 1.4X Extender.

I have used that quite a bit. On a crop sensor Nikon it renders 1050mm equivalent at f/8. As long as the light is
good it's fine. Mount it on a D7200 or a D500. I usually put the combo on a Gitzo tripod with a Waverly gimbal.