Which Lens - Advice needed please! - Page 2

geordie1970 · #11 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 10:38 AM

If you opt for the Sigma 50-500mm it will leave you enough to spend on a " quality" tripod and head which is just as important as the lens imo

GerryNick2 · #12 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 11:33 AM

The Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM was my best buy and is very rarely off the camera these days. Also invested in the EF70-300mm F4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, a great general purpose lense, lightweight so you can walk around with it all day and not be conscious of the weight. Produces excellent images.

Gerry

Jon · #13 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 02:56 PM

Canon 100-400L IS lens - without a doubt your best bet - flexible in use and high quality. Even works after you drop it - though I don't recommend it! This lens has transformed my photography.
Perhaps a little expensive but it will last. If you don't want all the advantages of a zoom then I would suggest the Canon 400mm f5.6.
Disadvantages of zoom - have not found any other than poor performance with a 1.4TC.
Apart from birds and mammals you can use it for Dragonflies and butterflies - you may need extension tubes for some.
I think you will see all the owners just love the lens - have a look at Arthur Morris's (google: birds as art.com)images taken with the 100-400L - they will blow you away! Trust me I am a scientist!

I am just waiting for Canon to produce an updated lens perhaps 200-500mm f4 with latest IS system, now that should work a treat with a TC!
Jon

rs250man · #14 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 03:21 PM

Hi, just to let you know that i bought anOPTON 500mm f/8 Lens off ebay and its ideal to start of and learn with. The quality of the pictures isn't great and it has to be used in good daylight and it is a manual focus but for me on a budget it is ideal.

glsammy · #15 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs250man

Hi, just to let you know that i bought anOPTON 500mm f/8 Lens off ebay and its ideal to start of and learn with. The quality of the pictures isn't great and it has to be used in good daylight and it is a manual focus but for me on a budget it is ideal.

Good luck with it. It would be interesting to see some images taken with it, I hope you'll upload some here so we can all have a look.

span130502 · #16 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 08:12 PM

i was in this same situation a few weeks ago and decided to go for the 400mm i am also going to get a canon 100mm or sigma 150mm macro lens by shopping around i think i shall be able to get both for around the £1000 mark. i hope this helps its great having the money to spend but a nightmare making sure you make the right choice for yourself

glsammy · #17 (**permalink**) 18-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by span130502

i was in this same situation a few weeks ago and decided to go for the 400mm i am also going to get a canon 100mm or sigma 150mm macro lens by shopping around i think i shall be able to get both for around the £1000 mark. i hope this helps its great having the money to spend but a nightmare making sure you make the right choice for yourself

If your main interest for the Macro is wildlife I'd recommend the 150mm, for the simple reason your working distance is greater, making getting those awkward close ups all the easier.

BillyPilgrim · #18 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 08:07 PM

After owning several zooms I've settled on the Canon 300mm f/4 L IS with a 1.4x converter.

I found that I never got close enough to a bird or mammal to use a zoom on any setting other than maximum so it seemed a bit pointless having the zoom facility. Especially as there is a compromise on image quality with a zoom.

I dithered over the Canon 300mm f/4 and 400mm f/5.6 for some time but eventually chose the former for these reasons -

The excellent image quality is not noticably decreased when using the tele-converter. So you get 420mm at f/5.6 which is slightly better than the 400mm and you have the advantage of image stabilisation. Personally I find this invaluable as I do not carry a tripod or monopod.

Closest focus is just 1.5m. A full 2m shorter than the 400m which is great for close-ups of butterflies etc. It isn't true macro but if all you want is good close-up pictures then it does the job.