180mm MACRO Rules Bird Photography

[PetKal]

I have been very impressed with the EF180L lens. Its resolving power and colour/bokeh qualities are excellent. The AF speed seems quite adequate for most practical applications.
These are all handheld, unprocessed, close to 100% crops.

[PetKal]

Here is some white flying chicken.

[canonloader]

Nice. I've been using my Sigma 105 for closeup bird shots and am happy with the results. Wish I had a 180. What's the lowest f/stop[biggest opening] it will go to? I'm too lazy to look it up. :D

[Reyno]

Haven't really thought of macro for birds but I think it's time to look into the possibilities. Thanks Petkal & Mitch for sharing your experiences.

[condyk]

They're almost as good as my Sigma 17-70mm DC Pigeon shots. How much does that Canon Macro cost? Maybe I could have saved some money :-)

[PetKal]

Thank you Mitch, Reyno and Condy.
I see your point.....the 17-70 is almost as good for significantly less money.;)

[DDA]

Nice closeups Petkal!

[dewmuw]

A macro is next on my to buy list - even more so now.

[apatchy]

Great series of close-ups, love the in-flight. I never thought of using my macro for birds, really must give it a try one day.;)

[StealthLude]

unless you need the working distance, id get a 100mm Canon Macro.

I wish could afford both the 100 and 180. Id love to have an L macro, but im not sure if i need that much working distance for bugs, stamps, coins, and other small items.

[PetKal]

Thank you for your kind commets, folks.
Well, I happen to have the 100 f/2.8 macro as well....and indeed, it's an exceptional lens, particularly so when one considers the per $ value of it. Although a bit on the short side, the 100 f/2.8 also makes a very good birding lens (see two examples below, uncropped, unprocessed....) .

However, the 180L is better ! More money fer sure, but both macro and regular telephoto applications simply shine...again, I am very impressed by that lens, quite a treat.

[Alex Paul]

Pete you are absolutely right!!! The 180 rocks for bird shots....All amazing.... Of course that is in your hands. Any Tx?? If not you are getting up close and personal with these guys..... I'll have to give it a go..... The gulls are all around the shop now and so I could hit a dock, hit a bush, hit a dock, hit a bush, and never change lenses.... Thanks for showing what the lens will do....I'm in awe of the detail.....Alex

[PetKal]

Thank you Alex on your encouragement.
It is so wonderful when an item, a lens in this case, exceeds our expectations. (In life, all too often things work the other way around.)
No, these were not shot using any TC's, just the "proximity principle".
I am looking forward to seeing more bird images of yours.:D

[Alex Paul]

Thanks a lot Pete.... I'll get out and do some shooting this weekend.... The birds are coming in now so I should have some excellent oppurtunities out back.... Saw my Osprey the other day and the Egrets and Herons are out back as well..... Pete you are an inspiration with the birds..... I appreciate ya man..... Take care and I'll post whats me gets.....Alex over and out for now;)