Hi all,
I'm currently in the US and am looking into buying a new Canon body and a couple of lenses.
So far I'm thinking of going for the Canon EOS 7D and a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS as an everyday lens.
So my real dilemma is what to get as a long-range zoom lens, which I'd primarily use for bird photography. I've been reading up on the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS.
I know there are quite a lot of experienced bird photographers on this site, so does anyone have any experience with the 70-300L or we recommend any other lens for such a purpose without blowing the budget?
Thanks!
Hi
I am sure that a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens would be far more useful for your bird photography. Not saying the lens you mention is bad, just that 300mm is not quite long enough most of the time, unless you're photographing friendly ducks in a pond. :-)
Best wishes.
That was the other lens I was considering, but it is a much older model and is due for an update! What lens/s do you use? My other question is whether the 70-300L is the exact same range as an old 70-300 kit lens? As in, I know that the range is different when using certain lenses on a full-sensor camera compared to an APS-C such as the 7D.
I agree with windhover the 100 400mm is a better bet for birds for the same reasons,i have seen some spectacular photos on this forum using a 7D and this lens.
I see you are going to be using a sigma as your everyday lens why not have a look at the sigma 150-500mm not in the same class as the canon but i have used one on my nikon and was very happy with the results.
I am not sure I understand the difference between the 75-300 kit and 75-300L lenses. The focal lengths are the same, so magnification will be the same. Only the image quality will be 100x better in the L lens. Nothing else will change probably, except the price as well.
Don't let "older" model put you off, that 100-400 is a killer lens in its right and used on an APS-C sensor body it will have an equivalent field of view of 160-640mm, so not that bad at all. That particular lens was not something I considered at the time when I bought my first L, which was a 300/4L IS, because I rarely use less than 300mm anyway for wildlife and I always prefer a fixed tele compared to a zoom. But the 100-400 will give that extra bit of reach, which is quite significant over 300mm. In fact, stepping from a 300mm to a 400mm focal length gives you an increase of nearly 100% in magnification! (not 25%)
I have recently acquired both a used 500/4L IS and 1D body, which are a kick-ass combo to be honest. A bit expensive (even used), but for me well worth it as I am obsessed with wildlife photography.
The extra focal length is definitely something I'd be interested in, and there's no doubting that it's a very good lens, yet I'm curious to see whether Canon has anything install for us before the end of this year in terms of announcing an updated model of the 100-400.
There would be a few benefits in waiting- an updated model would certainly bring faster focusing speeds and a better IS system. Although that could mean Canon bumping up the price a bit. The current model would probably get a price cut as well, if I ended up deciding to go with it, or at least rebates would probably be offered leading up the release of the new model.
I'm not really in need of the long range while in the US, so it wouldn't hurt to wait the next two months just to see whether Canon does indeed announce/release an updated model. Then come late November/early December I can make a call on which lens to get. I think that's a practical/sensible tactic.
The 160-640 equivalent field of view on an APS-C sensor body you refer to was what I was trying to determine before. That field of view will be shorter on a full frame body, is that right? Do you know of any websites that have those details readily available. Canon doesn't seem to publish them on its product pages.
The easiest way to remember is that you have full frame, APS-H (1.3x) and APS-C (1.6x) sensors in Canons.
On a full frame camera like a 1Ds or 5D the lens focal length will have the field of view as it is; eg 100mm will have a FOV of 100mm. On an APS-H body, it will be 100 x 1.3 or 130mm field of view, not magnification. On an APS-C body it will be 1.6x 100 or 160mm field of view. Remember that FOV is not the same as magnification, it's just the sensors on crop bodies are smaller, therefore they will cover a smaller area than full frame would. But the lens' magnification in essence does not change.
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Well, I am not really sure if the 300mm lens would be enough for your bird photography. I suggest that you get a 400 option at the very least so that it will be great to get the job done.
The 300 option seems to be pretty normal and nothing really special with it. There are even those which rank in the 600mm limit though that would be a bit big for casual use, and you are probably to get a tripod with it every time.