Birding Lens

[Dave freear]

Hi

Has anyone had any experience with a sigma 120-400mm lens for bird photography, I would be interested to know of any recommendations.

[DRB]

i use that lens on a canon 50d and quite happy with it although i am very much a beginner

[Dave freear]

Thanks for your reply, I am trying to weigh up between 120-400 or 150-500 lens.

[barnbear]

I'm in the same boat, 120-400 or 150-500 to nail on to the front of a 550D. Some reports say the 120-400 can lose a bit of clarity, but it does look like a good option.
BB

[DRB]

this pic was taken at a great distance away with the 120 400







dave

[Geoff F]

I haven't used the 120-400 but if you want to reach 500 mm (and everybody, particularly bird photographers, always wants a little bit more) then a lens which 'naturally' goes to 500 mm is usually the best option.

However, while the 150-500 will produce good results under ideal conditions it does have some limitations. I usually regard it as being an F8 lens instead of the fully open F6.3 setting. Also the auto focus can be a little on the slow side for flying birds. But that, in varying degrees, applies to most 500 mm lenses; at least the affordable ones.

But, starting again from the beginning, do you need a bird lens or a general purpose lens which is also suitable for birds. If just for birds, etc, have you also considered a prime lens like a 400 mm plus a 1.4x converter when needed? Or even a grossly expensive 500 mm prime.

They will often produce better results than a zoom, apart from the zoom function.

[Dave freear]

Hi All
Thank you all for the replies you have posted, they have been most helpful, I will re-post and inform of my purchase once my mind is made up.

Dave

[galanthophile]

I'm also looking to upgrade my Canon lens. I have a Canon 500D which is fine for me. What is the price difference from a lens + converter to a 150-400mm lens as you mentioned Geoff? It's a minefield. I have a 75-300mm lens at the moment and it just doesn't get close enough.

[momji1971]

Something to bear mind the 100mm difference between the 400mm and 500mm lens equates to the bird being almost half the size again larger in the viewfinder. Not a small difference.

regards.
Stu.