Looking to buy first Digital camera for Wildlife

[nytecam]

I'm amazed at the money WAB photographers throw at their hobby - my backround is astrophotography eg stuff always at infinity and no perfect exposure - just as long as possible before more cloud rolls in Ok I've specialised static lenses/telescopes of focal lengths from 8mm to 3000mm and super sensitive Peltier cooled CCD cameras to suit. As it's rarely seen by other photographers it has no need for 'street-cred'

For my regular terrestrial photography I use M42 Pentax screw non-zoom lenses [typical s/h cost £15 - £50] with adapter onto my Canon DSLR - manual focus and exposure no worries I even use a low cost 70mm f/5 telescope for bridgecam afocal work at YouTube - 'long' video lens via telescope digiscope adaptor

[DanJeffery]

If you are looking to expand a dSLR kit in the future it might be worth considering what lenses you would be aiming to get in the future as this may influence which system to buy into (eg Canon, Nikon etc).

Popular wildlife lenses are the Sigma 150-500 and the Canon 100-400L. I have the Canon 100-400 and love it. This lens is the reason I am glad I bought into the Canon system. I think the Nikon equivalent is a little cheaper but a little less fast at focusing.

I don't know what lenses are available for other systems.

I believe the Canon 100-400L goes for around £1300 now (I bought mine about a year ago for under £800 - prices have got silly since then). If you intend spending a lot more than this then there are other choices for Canon and Nikon and other systems.

But be aware that the further you buy into one system the more expensive it is to switch track further down the line.

[Elean0r]

Originally Posted by Otter Spotter

Thank you for everyone's replies to my posting. I must say I have been thinking and thinking and I am definate that I want to go down the DSLR route.

Hi

I started off with a bridge camera which gave me an idea of technique, but it wasn't long before I realised it wasn't good enough and had to spend even more on a DSLR.

I ended up choosing an Olympus (e-system), which suits me fine, but it took me a long time to choose the one camera that suited me and my style of photography from all those that are available. Since buying the camera with two "kit" lenses I've bought a 70-300 lens which is fantastic. And I've never had to deal with a dust speck, which is a blessing.

If you've really got a limit of £500 have you thought about getting a second hand camera? You can get them from some reputable camera shops and also from camera or photography forums. Some people only keep a camera for a year or so, so there's a chance of a real bargain, especially in the run up to Christmas. You can tell if the seller is 'reliable' if they're regulars on the site.

The camera is just the beginning though, in no time you'll need a tripod and all sorts of other bits and pieces.

[Otter Spotter]

Thank yo uagain for your replies, this has been so helpful I cannot begin to tell you.

I am pretty set on a Canon 20D and hopefully I will be able to get a couple of lenses in as a bundle from the seller.

I think your advice is right on the early December being a good time to buy. I am going to save up and maybe put an advert on the forums or if anybody knows of a good Canon 20D for sale please let me know.

Thanks again for all your comments, any further advice much appreciated.
Take care
Andy

[wildwilly]

hi there andy,
lots of people don't search enough and miss out the fact that if you go onto well known brands websites like fujifilm and canon they usualy have cameras refurbished to manufacture stndards. also most will come with a 3 month warranty. you won't be able to tell its refurbished!

will

[Otter Spotter]

Hi Will,
Thank you for your reply. Have you got a web address for the Canon refurbed equipment I have had a look but i couldnt find it be very interested to see.

i have actually just bought a Canon 20D from EBay and it seems like an excellent camera but now looking for lenses and the big question is which one?

As I am obviously on a tight budget I am looking at two options the 75-300mm Canon IS or the equivalent Sigma lens?

Has anybody any experience with these lenses and if so was it good or bad?

Alse be interested to know if the 1.4 and 2.0 extender from Sigma will fit this particular lens? as I know the Canon will not take extenders

Or of course if anybody can recomend a lens that would be suitable for taking decent wildlife shots?

Budget around £400 ish mark, asking a lot I know.

Thanks
Andy

[WhiskyBottle]

I've not read all this thread so fogive me if I've missed something, but.

Have you already got a point'n'shoot? If so it could be worth skipping the 70-300, and going for a 300 f/4

Sigma make one, and I'm sure Canon will too.

This will give you far better performance, at faster shutter speeds, and will take a 1.4 convertor (a 70-300 doesn't), which on a small sensor digital body will give you the equivalent of over 600mm at f/5.6.

Check the known second hand camera dealers on the internet. Should be able to get one in your budget with a 6 month gtee.

Leave the convertor until you've got the hange of handling it.
Think about a tripod, you'll need it with the convertor.

BTW were are you

[Otter Spotter]

Thank you for your reply, i am very interested in your idea as I have tried a 70-300mm and there is no way it is powerful enough for what I want to achieve.

I have had a look for the lens you have suggested but it does semm to be way out of my price range?, I may be looking at the wrong one.

Could you send me a link to the lens you mean?
Many thanks
Andy

[Geoff F]

I'm afraid that everything which meets your criterion will be out of your price range, unless you are lucky enough to find a good quality secondhand lens. Otherwise it is just a case of saving up for an ideal lens.

However, to save you wasting your money. Don't touch the Canon 75-300 which is an old style lens and was always a poor cheap version. The Canon 70-300 with IS is an excellent general purpose lens but it won't take a Canon converter and I don't recommend using a third party converter either as the image quality will suffer. But if your fieldcraft is good enough to get close to your subject it is a possibility.

A prime lens plus a converter is an option but isn't cheap and will probably work out similar to the Sigma 150-500; although if you only use the wide end of a lens a prime could work out as the best choice and is better suited to adding a converter.

On the secondhand market, consider a Sigma 50-500 (Bigma) which is a well liked lens although it doesn't have image stabilisation or a Canon 400mm telephoto.

The Canon 20D is a good camera and apart from fewer pixels less and a slower burst rate, which won't matter to you, is very similar to the well liked 40D.

[WhiskyBottle]

I was thinking of a Sigma EX300 f/4, but a quick look around suggests they don't make one, sure they use to though.
Prime lens optics don't age much so try to find an older lens. Sigma's EX range, or Tamron's premium range (SP ?) should be good, or Tokina. All of which should be cheeper than Canon and still give good results.

Try AP mag for ideas of which dealer web sites to watch