Linda P

Okay, I'll try this again, in the right forum! :oops:

I am just renewing my photography interest after years of point and shoot. I love to shoot wildlife, birds, eagles...my limitations are that I am little, 5' in shoes and 100lbs. Lugging a big camera is tough. So I bought a canon rebel. I want to build on that.

I have a 70-300 lens with a tamron 2x doubler. It will AF at all but the most distant zoom, but I haven't been happy with the clarity. I also have a 55-250 IS lens. Obviously, I can't get close to many birds with those lenses.

I played with a fixed focus 400mm lens this weekend but wasn't happy with the fixed focus as the birds tracked into and out of view. I can't spend $6000. I'm thinking ~$1000 or so, should I look at the sigma 150-500, which I've seen for about $800 used or go with the canon 100-400 and save for the available doubler?

I may have to pay someone to carry it for me...:)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Surely you mean to say fixed-focal length or prime lens, not fixed-focus lens.

Maybe MTShooter will weigh in on your problem.
The only eagles I shoot wear green uniforms and go camping a lot.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

I have the Canon 100-400mm, but I would not put a doubler on it. With my crop camera, I get 640mm. From there I crop a little more in post. I think beyond this, it gets pretty expensive. Maybe you should get closer to your subject? :-)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Hey Linda. I have used the Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM for a year now and would put it up against anything on the market for sharpness and focusing speed, but it is a heavy lens for a smaller person. A monopod can make using it a LOT easier though. Its my favorite bird lens by far.
In preparation for the new year I have just today shipped it off to Sigma for a clean and tune, they do it for free in the first year and I have 2 weeks left. Its never given a single problem. I used it out of the box with my D7000's and it was perfect. When I switched to the D800 bodies I did have to fine tune it at -5 on one body and -6 on the other. Its a great piece of glass for the money, can't beat it.
Personally, I avoid doublers completely. I do have a 1.4X teleconverter that I use sparingly. You are always better off with just the lens whenever you can get the shot that way.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Maybe you should get closer to your subject? :-)[/quote]

:thumbup: This is your least expensive way to get great images. If you do want to spend money, many folks on this site use the Sigma you mentioned.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Considering your physical challenges, may I respectfully suggest that you consider the advantages of Micro 4/3, AKA ILM, cameras and lenses. While the sensor is slightly smaller than the Canon cropped sensor, the equipment is much lighter and a 300mm lens is the 35mm equivalent of a 600mm lens. Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Canon, Nikon and several other manufacturers offer a variety of models. Also, there are adapters available to allow one to use full size lenses from other brands with infinity focus capability.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Linda, If you have not used the 100-400, you need to get a hold of one to try. It's one of Canons most used lenses. They cost a bit more than the sigmas, but are much lighter to handle. And while you are just carrying it, you can slide it to 100mm and it brings all the weight in tight so it's very easy to manage. Nothing is worse than having a big chunk of heavy glass 16" out in front of you.
In the big leagues many small women use the Canon 500mm f4.5 non IS. I mention it only because they will pay the same as the IS version since it's a much lighter 500.
With the 100-400 you will miss the extra reach and it does cost more than the sigma but your crop will make up some of the reach for you. And do look into a blind. That could help a lot to get close. There is a post currenly about blinds, as soon as it picks up steam.
Good luck

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Photo Blinds: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-88226-1.html

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

I use the 100-409 for birds and youth sports. Great lens. Paired with the 1.4 converter I get some amazing shots. You will not be disappointed with these two.

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

I tried the Canon 100-400mm with a 2X expander. The auto focus nearly totally disappeared, and the images were not worth keeping under any circumstances. The 2X works great with a 400mm F2.8 IS. You said that is over your budget. I think the expanders work with wide aperture primes, and possibly zooms. I have not tried it with my 70-200 F2.8 IS. The most versatile lens to have is the 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 IS. It would handle nearly every shooting situation quite well, and not cost so much. I think it will not work with an expander.

Linda P

Thanks, all! Lots to consider. I may try to rent a sigma. And yes, I did mean fixed focal length...told you I was a newbie.



I considered these before I bought my DSLR...I heard they were slow to respond. Is that true?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

No, not with the current crop of equipment. I have a Panasonic G3, new, but the model is 2 years old. Kit cost <US$300, a steal. The newest model is the G5. Very rapid response with regard to metering, focusing and shutter. Borrow a Panasonic G or GH (or am Olympus OM) and see for yourself.