Lens for University?

[Rob Jones]

Originally Posted by nikkilouise

I'm going to be starting a a BA Hons in Wildlife Photography at Blackpool and the Fylde College in September.

I am looking into buying a good 500mm for the course, I own a Canon EOS 350D.
I don't mind if it is second hand, but being a student means I don't have that much money to spend on lenses and camera equipment. I do also have a part time job but it doesnt go far! =]

If anyone could suggest a lens that would be suitable that would be a great help!

Thanks
Nikki

Good luck with your course Nikki.
If you get through your course OK and find you have a natural talent and abilty to take photo's that people will actually want to buy. Then be prepared for a big shock. You're talking serious money. £25k might get you the cameras, lenes and gear you need to start off with.
Then you would need plenty of exposure, contacts and business acumen to make a living from it. I don't want to seem negative, and I really wish you well, but it is an incredibly difficult branch of photography to make money from! I'm assuming though that you want to make a career from it?

[Paul Miguel]

Hi Nikki Louise

From my own experience I would say, buy the best you can afford - go for quality glass, so try and stick to canon if you can, rather than other brands. I've used a secondhand 300mm f4 with a 1.4x converter (canon again!) for wildlife photography ever since I bought it about 10 years ago. I honestly think this is a decent and cheaper alternative to buying expensive long lenses - and I was also a student trying to get decent gear on a small budget, so I know what it's like. My 300mm cost about £400 then. I'm sure a 300mm f2.8 would be faster but I've still taken some great action shots. If you're hoping to make a career of photography then sharp images are crucial, which means good quality glass above all else.

All the best and good luck.

Paul

[nikkilouise]

Originally Posted by Rob Jones

Good luck with your course Nikki.
If you get through your course OK and find you have a natural talent and abilty to take photo's that people will actually want to buy. Then be prepared for a big shock. You're talking serious money. £25k might get you the cameras, lenes and gear you need to start off with.
Then you would need plenty of exposure, contacts and business acumen to make a living from it. I don't want to seem negative, and I really wish you well, but it is an incredibly difficult branch of photography to make money from! I'm assuming though that you want to make a career from it?

Like most of us on the course none of us know what we are planning to do in the future, there is a varied age of people in the course, some in their teens like me, some over 50. At the moment we are just at the very beginning and learning about all the different things you can achieve being a Wildy

I know that some people on the course aren't necessarily doing it for a career, they are just doing it because they have a serious interest in it and want to learn more. Others do want a career to come out of the course, but at the moment none of us really know want we want to do =]

[lost in the woods]

Hi Nikki
As stated by other members good telephotos cost a lot of money.But there are some bargains on the market ebay is worth a look i have seen the sigma 170-500mm 6.3 for as little as £200.00 but check compatability as early versions will need rechipping to work on the canon 350d if your budget is higher than this a sigma 300mm 2.8 ex lens secondhand is another option about £475.00 and add matching 1.4 and 2x teleconvertors later you keep auto focus with both convertors again they can be bought for around £75 each rember to factor in a tripod as neither of these lenses have i.s. . the canon 300mm f4 early version only fetches around £300 on ebay as well again a 1.4 teleconvertor could be added you would have a effective 420mm 5.6 lens i hope this helps. Warehouse Express offer 12 months interest free with Chrismas and Birthdays it's another option. Good luck with course
Regards
Lost in the woods

[Vectisbirder]

A 500mm telephoto would wipe out your student loan in one go. I'd agree with other posters who suggest a decent zoom or the Canon 400mm f5.6 plus a teleconverter.