Telephoto lens for wildlife photgraphy?

ir37 · #1 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 04:15 PM

I am just about to buy a Canon 450d with the kit lens 18-55mm USM and want a telephoto lens but have a budget of about £300-400. I am trying to find used lenses.
I was originally looking at the sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX, Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS and Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II AF.
I would like a minimum aperture of f/3.5 really because I am going to be spending a long time in the rainforest where I'm assuming a faster lens would be essential in low light (and I may get a teleconverter).
Any suggestions/recommendations?

BillyPilgrim · #2 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ir37

I am just about to buy a Canon 450d with the kit lens 18-55mm USM and want a telephoto lens but have a budget of about £300-400. I am trying to find used lenses.
I was originally looking at the sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX, Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS and Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II AF.
I would like a minimum aperture of f/3.5 really because I am going to be spending a long time in the rainforest where I'm assuming a faster lens would be essential in low light (and I may get a teleconverter).
Any suggestions/recommendations?

Hi and welcome to WAB.

Do you mean the tropical rainforest?

If you do then I would think you might struggle with a camera/lens that doesn't have weather sealing?

I'm only guessing but I doubt if the 450d or any budget lens will have this?

Don't wish to be negative but you could end up with your equipment being ruined.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 09:30 PM

We really need a lot more details of exactly what you intend to photograph and how you will be shooting; ie hand held or on a tripod. A lens which goes up to 300 mm is OK for general use but it may be a bit small for birds, etc.

I found this Canon 70-300 lens to give good results Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS - Review / Test Report but it is outside your budget unless you find a secondhand copy.

I definitely wouldn't use a converter on this or any of your other suggestions, particularly in reduced light.

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 09:38 PM

Here is the Sigma Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG - Review / Lab Test Report

squishy · #5 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 12:41 PM

the 18-200mm sigma has a max aperture (minimum F/ number) of f/6.3 when at 200mm. the 70-200mm goes to f/2.8 for the entire range.

(the tamron 270mm is also only f.6.3)

the 18-200 and 18-270 can't be very fast lenses at the top end with those max apertures

I know someone who recently picked up a used canon L series 70-200mm F/4 for somewhere in the region of £400, and that is a very sharp piece of glass.

If you have limited light, a good tripod will serve you better than hand holding.

acherontia · #6 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 04:34 PM

The first thing that struck me reading your opening post was what Billy Pilgrim said about weatherproofing.
You'd really need a high speck pro camera for lengthy spells in an environment like that - if it is the tropical rainforest.
Even then I'd think twice about taking £1000s worth of gear in there. I even get twitchy going in butterfly houses with my gear!!

LOL
I even thought I was going to faint when someone at college carelessly picked up my camera without asking .......

Acher

momji1971 · #7 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 05:22 PM

A good waterproof bag is what I used for protection. I spent two months in and out of the Bolivian amazon and didn't have a problem with a not that expensive fuji bridge camera.

The sweat rolling off me was more of a problem. Also be very aware that some insect repellants melt plastic!

regards.
Stu.

Jim Ford · #8 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 06:53 PM

Weatherproofing is no big deal with a camera that's specified as such. I've spent 12 hrs on the Cairngorm plateau in sleet and rain with no protection on the camera, with no ill effect. Mind you, in those conditions there was nothing to photograph anyway, except at the end of the day when I took this:

The main problem with tropical rainforest that I can see, is fungus on the interior surfaces of the lenses. Even if a camera is weatherproofed, it still needs to 'breath' with atmospheric pressure changes and when using a lens that changes its internal volume (i.e. a zoom lens). Under these conditions warm moist air could be drawn into the camera and lens, providing ideal conditions for fungus to grow.

Jim

ir37 · #9 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies!
Yes, the Amazon rainforest of Peru (and possibly the lower reaches of the Andes). I haven't heard any weatherproofing problems from friends who have gone out in previous years for up to 2 months so I was confident that a waterproof bag will be adequate. I will be there for about 8-9 weeks.
Geoff F- Yes I know that I'd definately need a longer lens for birds but I need to be practical as I'll be lugging it around a lot! But I will definately be bringing my tripod.
The Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 would be great but I was orginally thinking of getting a 1.4 teleconverter if I got a lens less than 270/300mm but I see what you mean about it not being the best idea in low light conditions...
I have found a reasonable second-hand canon 70-300mm but was worried that f/4 would sometimes be too slow... Which is why I looked at f2.8 lenses (combined with a converter)
I was also conscious of getting a lens with IS (or equivelent)

squishy · #10 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 03:46 PM

all those features start to add up.

canon do a L 70-200mm F/2.8 IS, but that'll set you back more than £1000.

with a 1.4x tele you lose one f/ stop anyway remember

but that would still be faster (and possibly sharper on a 70-200) than the f/5.6 of the canon 70-300.

on a budget, you'll have to compromise in one area at least.

fast, sharp, IS and at least 200mm.

for £300-£400, i just don't know if you can get anything like that.