photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

Hi folks...looking for a telephoto zoom lens for my canon T2i I watched a photography video and the guy said that a 200mm or 300mm lens will work well when photographing birds in flight. I am confused because I have a 75-300mm zoom as well as a 55-250mm and don't think that is what he means. Can anyone explain? Really want a nice telephoto zoom that would work but not cost a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$
Thanks
Linda

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Hey Linda, glad to have you on the forum and looking forward to your photos!
To your question, there may be two things here -
- a fixed lens like a 200mm or 300mm is known as a Prime Lens. Basically, it has less glass and therefore will normally give you a sharper photo
- telephoto lenses have more glass and generally sacrifice a little light because of it
What he might have been saying then is a Prime Lens will give you a better photo, but if you already have two nice lenses and are on a budget then what is to stop you from using what you have?
Have fun with what you have and post your images here!

photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

Hey thanks for the reply but still confused. He had one of those huge gray lenses on his camera and got really good closeups. Those are the ones athat are thousands of dollars I suspect. My lens are not capable of that I do not think and I do not really understand telephoto and telephoto zoom....new to my camera...less than a year. I have taken fantastic shots with it but I know it is not what I need for bird photos in flight etc. I am not sure what his distance was from his birds and they were large birds...I will keep researchung andhope to figure it out. Was hoping to buy a cheaper used one...just can't afford it! Thanks for your tips though.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

The man in the Ferrari can go 200mph, but your car will get there just the same. Enjoy what you have and post your photos here.

wchs1961 Loc: Athens, Georgia

Hi Linda,

The Canon 400mm 5.6 lens is considered to be one of the best lens for birds in flight as the focus is very quick. It is expensive but not overly so.....new for about $1300....used $900 to $1100. Take a look at the reviews.

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Tamron 70-300 VC is awesome! Less than $500 and there may be a rebate on it still.

FrumCA

And don't forget that with the Rebel T2i’s 1.6x crop factor, the effective maximum focal length of your 75-300mm is actually 480mm.

photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

OMG! I am now so confused. I am trying to understand focal length and on my 75-300 EF lens there are two diferrent things that turn...the large part that is padded and you turn to zoom in and out and the smaller ring right in front of that. That is the part I do not get. It seems to let me zoom in much closer but when I try to focus it zooms back out. I cannot find anything online to explain it. I tried it both ways...one turning the ring and one not and they looked the same :-(

tmunah

Because you're lens is not a fixed aperture. I had that one and wasn't crazy about it. Sold it for $90.

tmunah

photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

tmunah...are you directing me towards that lens?

Brian in Whitby Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

A 200 mm lens is a prime lens. That is it has a fixed focal length of 200 mm.
Your zoom lenses are even better for learning to shoot birds in flight because you can start with a shorter focal length and gradually increase it as you improve in your ability to keep the bird in the viewfinder.

You will find it much easier to use the viewfinder than to use live view. It takes some practice to be able to swing your camera camera and keep the birds in the viewfinder as you press the shutter. Keep both eyes open and learn to switch your vision from the viewfinder eye to the other. AS you swing with the bird, keep your alternate eye out for where the bird is going. You need both eyes functioning to properly predict the path of the bird.

I suggest you start with your zoom set at about 80 mm and practice with larger, slow flying birds such as gulls. When you are able to capture photos at that focal length, increase the focal length and try again. Gradually increase the focal length until you can capture images of gulls at the maximum zoom.
Note that the other issues will be how close the birds are and how fast they fly. Having mastered gulls, move up to something faster like ducks. You may have to zoom out at first to be able to keep these faster birds in your viewfinder.

If you think this sounds challenging, it is but it is also a lot of fun and, when you learn to do it right, very rewarding.

Tom O Loc: Wisconsin

You can do a search of passed topics on this forum with key words and /or check out the New Section of this site called Birds In Flight and Birds On Water which is accessible through the "Home" page.

There are several members who have tons of experience with this speciality who, I'm sure, can really help you.

photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

Need to study focal length...not getting that. And both my zoom lens have E...like EF 75-300, EFS 55-250 Some are saying L, VC... ??????

photomama56 Loc: Massachusetts

oh and is telephoto zoom the same as just zoom? You people will be sorry you hoped in on this post. I just so want to understand these things and buy a decent telephoto zoom lens at a reasonable price....