imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

There is, but you will have to switch to a Sony A-mount camera where you can use the Minolta/Sony 500 f8 AF Reflex mirror lens - paid $250 for mine. An AMAZING lens .....but, sadly, no tripod mount.

Sony cameras can also give you Clear Image Zoom with shorter focal length lenses- with NO pixel loss.

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rcarol

Actually, your SX-20 didn't have a 560mm lens. It has a lens that's equivalent to a 560mm on a full frame camera. For you to have the same reach as your SX-20, you need a 350mm lens for your 1000D APS-C camera.

crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

you could buy a SX70 for cheaper than a lens probably

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The above is correct.... Please note that with your point-n-shoot camera you stated it has a "560mm lens". It doesn't. The lens' actual focal length is far less than that, but the camera uses a tiny little sensor and that makes the lens "act like a 560mm" would on a film/full frame camera. The 560mm number is an "equivalent"... not a real focal length.

The Canon 1000D you've got now has a much larger sensor than your point-n-shoot camera (which is one reason it will give you better images). HOWEVER, it's still smaller than full frame. As a result, a 300mm lens will "act like 480mm"... or a 400mm lens will "act like 640mm" would on full frame. Take these equivalents into consideration while shopping, to get something that gives you focal length "reach" most similar to what you enjoyed with your point-n-shoot camera. (A 350mm lens on 1000D would be the same as your point-n-shoot, but there aren't many 350mm lenses made.

In other words, you could get a 300mm lens for the 1000D and have almost as much "reach" as you enjoyed with your point-n-shoot.... or a 400mm or longer lens would actually offer more.

Some possibilities:

Try to find a used Sigma 50-500mm OS HSM or 150-500mm OS HSM or 120-400mm OS HSM in Canon EF mount. These are discontinued models from a few years ago now (before being replaced by 150-600mm lenses), but probably would give you the most "bang for your buck".

The 50-500mm is larger, heavier and usually more expensive, but is the sharper of the two. KEH has several examples for $765 to $932 (https://www.keh.com/shop/sigma-50-500mm-f-4-5-6-3-apo-dg-hsm-os-lens-for-canon-ef-mount-95.html)

The 150-500mm is a bit more reasonable size, tho still pretty big. It's also a bit less sharp in the 400 to 500mm range of the zoom.... KEH has one for $658 in EX+ condition right now (https://www.keh.com/shop/sigma-150-500mm-f5-6-3-dg-os-apo-hsm-auto-focus-telephoto-zoom-lens.html)

The 120-400mm is still big, but the smallest and lightest of the three, more "hand holdable" and closer to your price... tho it comes up a little short. KEH has a couple in "Bargain" condition (lots of wear and tear) for $373 and $405 (https://www.keh.com/shop/sigma-120-400mm-f4-5-5-6-dg-os-hsm-auto-focus-telephoto-zoom-lens.html)

All three of these Sigmas are "OS" or image stabilized versions. There were earlier, non-stabilized non-OS versions too... But I'd recommend the OS versions. With these very long focal lengths you're likely to want image stabilization. Even with OS, you may want a tripod or at least a monopod to work with these lenses. You can look up their dimensions and weights online.

There's also a new Tamron 18-400mm VC (stabilized) that's more compact than any of the above. Too new to find used ones, though, and it sells for $600.

Tamron and Sigma are also both now making 100-400mm lenses, which are considerably smaller and lighter than the above lenses. These are selling new for about $800. Between the two, I'd go with the Tamron because it can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, which I consider necessary on a lens that reaches 400mm. You won't find these lenses used or discounted very much... they are too new for that yet.

Canon's original 100-400mm L (push/pull zoom) was replaced by a new version a couple years ago and can now be found used for a lot less than the "II". KEH has a couple of them available: a "bargain" for $628 or one in "excellent" condition for $861 (for comparison, the 100-400 II is selling for about $2000 new). The push/pull 100-400mm has been popular with "birders" for it's fast zoom capabilities... especially for birds in flight. It's also pretty hand-holdable at around 3.25 lb. (the II is a bit heavier). Of all the lenses listed here, the Canon 100-400mm would have the best image quality and likely the best built/durability. It's also "future proof" for Canon cameras (some older third party lenses such as those Sigma won't work properly on later DSLRs... tho I haven't heard of any issues between the above models and any Canon DSLRs).

Unfortunately, any lens over 300mm tends to get pretty expensive. Teleconverters generally won't work with shorter, more affordable lenses... too much loss of image quality, autofocus won't work and your viewfinder will be too dim to see to manually focus.

But if you could "live with" 300mm.... actually only a little less reach than you had with your point-n-shoot (but a much more "croppable" image with the larger APS-C sensor in your new DSLR)... there are some good lenses you might consider. A pretty darned good lens that's easily hand held, the Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM was discontinued a year or so ago and can easily be found used for $200 to $300 (the current "II" version of it is on sale for $450 right now). There also is a slightly more premium Canon EF 70-300mm IS "DO" USM, more compact but about the same weight, which can be found used for around $350 to $450 (DO = "diffractive optics", a special design Canon uses in some lenses to reduce their size). And there is the Canon EF 70-300mm "L" IS USM, the most premium version and the only one which can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, which sells for $1350 new, about $1000 used.

AVOID Canon EF 75-300mm "III", in particular. It's often really cheap ($200 new, $100 used)... but it is not Canon's best effort. It doesn't have all that good image quality, has slower/noisier micro motor autofocus and doesn't have image stabilization. You can do much better for just a little more money.

There are older manual focus lenses, mirror lenses and such that might be made to work. But they will be slower to work with and limiting in various ways. Previous responses have mentioned some of the options. Over the years I used 4 or 5 different mirror lenses. The best of those I ever used was a Tamron SP 500mm f/8 "Adaptall-2" lens. There were two versions of it, very similar except the original "55B" model has a built in tripod mounting ring, while the later "55BB" doesn't. (I consider the tripod ring essential, especially since this old lens doesn't have image stabilization.) These can be found easily for under $200, hopefully with the tripod ring AND the lens hood (which can be difficult to replace if missing). It doesn't matter what mount is on the lens, because they're interchangeable. Adaptall-2 mounts are still being made in China and are available to fit Canon EF. I use an old Tamron 90mm Macro with Adaptall mount... manual focus (and manual aperture), but high image quality and cheap. The lens cost me $20, came with a Nikon mount... an Adaptall from China (eBay) cost $40 and only took 4 days to arrive. $60 for a high quality macro lens, not bad!

All these were shot with that Tamron SP 500mm f/8:



The image of the white egret above shows one of the idiosyncrasies of mirror lenses... the "donut" shaped out of focus highlights in the background. In my opinion, the Tamron did better minimizing this than most mirror lenses (at least all the ones I tried). The image of the orange canna flower demonstrates another interesting feature of this particular lens: It's very close focusing, to about 5 feet (most non-mirror 500mm lenses can't focus closer than 15 or 20 feet). However, these are manual focus lenses. Slow to work with when trying to shoot faster moving subjects. And the 500mm "mirror" have a fixed aperture... f/8... which makes for fairly dim viewfinder to try to manually focus. Modern DSLRs like the 1000D aren't very "manual focus friendly" either.

FYI: There was also a Tamron SP 350mm f/5.6 Adaptall-2 mirror lens, also quite good and even more compact, but without any tripod mounting ring. It's far less common than the 500mm and usually brings a higher price on the used market.

If you can "live with" 300mm ("480mm equivalent" on a 1000D), one of these would probably be your best bet:

https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-ef-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-is-usm-telephoto-zoom-lens.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/397663/Canon_0345B002_EF_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html

If you prefer, that lens is even still available new (hasn't been discontinued for very long):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_EF_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html

hj Loc: Florida

I'm no bird photographer, but I love your bird pics - gorgeous! With the results you are getting with the SX20 I don't understand why you want to go to the DSLR. MORE WEIGHT AND MORE MONEY for suitable lenses. Why not consider an upgrade to your bridge camera? Perhaps the Canon SX50 with excellent reviews and far more reach than you can afford with a DSLR lens.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

This, along with similar posts in this thread, is SOUND advice! Short and simple!! .....Yippee Kie A!

Davoallen

Thanks folks, great advice

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

NOW ya' gotta' promise us some more of those Fantastic bird images with whatever you decide on!! Come on now.....PROMISE!!

Photocraig

Nat, your help with a 500mm lens is well intentioned and I'm sure appreciated by the OP. BUT, T-mount lenses are all manual, require an adaptor and would have questionable results except in the hands of a veteran tinkerer-photog. I don't get the impression the OP is in that category.

Some basics, your camera will use any Canon (or compatible) lens with an EF and EF-S designation. Like with your SX camera, the focal length (magnification or telescopic effect) is derived from the native focal length of the lens and applying a factor to account for the sensor size. On the EOS camera, that factor is 1.6. For an effective 500 mm view, for example a 300 mm lens would yield 480mm view on your camera. The least expensive lenses for this camera line are the EF 75-300 which is notoriously "soft" aka not sharp at 300mm and the 55-250 lens, which isn't a stellar performer, but might be acceptable. The next step is the 70-300 IS (and there is a II version) has given me good results. Perhaps a used version of eth 70-300 IS USM lens can be found from a good source like KEH.com, Adorama.com, B&H.com or Roberts .com or Cameta.com.

It is clear that you have the composition and timing part of the bird feeder photo game down. My best suggestion is to look at the above sites plus Canonusa.com for highly rated used or factory refurbished SX model cameras to replace the one you know how to use. I'd guess that you will find one for about the cost of a decent used telephoto lens yielding a 500mm view (that's a native 300mm lens).

Using the DSLR will has a learning curve which will likely take most of the season to produce the kind of images you've posted here. It may be a worthwhile project, and if you take it on, I'd suggest starting with a more user friendly lens focal length like the kit 18-55mm which is available for 100-140 at KEH--buy teh f4-5.6 IS STM version on simpler regular life subjects that interest you. If you like doing that, the jump into a telephoto lens would become an easier transition.

If you want to duplicate and improve on what you're doing, I'd suggest replacing the Sx series.

Just another retired, on a way too fixed income, guy's two cents.
C

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

Holy Crap!!!

AndyGarcia

I'd stick with what you have. Your images are terrific. Maybe sell the Rebel plus your budget buy the latest version of what you know. Damn fine photos!

Brokenland

Couple of things you should be aware of.

1st: if the lens is not Canon compatible, you're looking at manual focus and manual aperture adjustments.

2nd: lenses under or around $300.00 would mean these are after market like Vivitar etc. which IMO these lenses are not going to offer you the imagery you want. suitable for travel (maybe) but not suitable for extreme bird watching like your images.

3rd: if one is able to locate a multiple focus length lens (100-400 etc) in most cases, you're dealing with manual focusing with a push/pull main lens housing. If you hands are anything like mine.. manual focusing and the push/pull feature is not an option.

4th: If by chance an after market lens is selected, you're going to need an adapter or even multiple adapters which could cause vignetting, that dark rounded area on the outer edge of you pictures. some say this is good while other say it's not.

5th: Then you're going to need a heavy duty tripod as well as an alternative lens mount for the tripod as you do not want to have the tripod connected to just the camera body with that heavy of lens on the front.

The best possible scenario would be to rent a lens as most of the 400mm, 500mm, 1000mm or more can range in the $1,000 - $10,000 Another alternative would be to hope that you're able to locate an estate sale or yard sale where the owner just wants it out of the hours. I've seen some sites like craiglist have these lens going for $5,000.

The problem is, most of these person selling this gear wants as much as they can get for the lens, But view this type of purchase suitable to be resold at a pawn shop or 1/3 the actual price. No one is going to let that kind of lens go for a pawn shop price. This is one reason I'll never be able to possess a 200mm, 300mm, 400mm or greater lens as it just doesn't benefit me unless I've been making money selling my prints.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

FYI, The 350 originally came WITH a tripod collar - but, today is missing from most offered for sale !

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamron-SP-350-5-6-TELE-MACRO-Reflex-Mirror-O6B-Lens-350mm-f-5-6-f5-6-mm-Adaptall/282991673469?hash=item41e39e407d:g:nS4AAOSwBCpbEiQJ:rk:3:pf:0

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davidb1879

Your bird shots are terrific. I located on ebay.com a "barely used" Sigma DG 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS lens for Canon. The present highest bid is $355. The seller has 100 per cent positive feedback, but does not accept returns. You should research the seller. Check to make certain that the lens is compatible with your camera. To locate the listing have ebay search for "500mm lens for Canon." Perhaps this lens will match your talent. Davidb

Sally D

I don’t have a suggestion but I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your bird photos! I especially like the Cardinal.