WILDLIFE EXPERTS PLEASE

[Longjohns]

Hi All,
My friend has a Rebel XT and he shoots a lot of wildlife ( just starting out)
He lives 1/2 the year right next to Yellowstone and has access to some amazing wildlife.
He wants to get closer to his subjects. He would like to know which lens would be best for his needs. He has been thinking he would get the 100-400. Then he went into a camera shop yesterday and the guy told him the 70-300 is a much better lens. He has also been considering a prime but is concerned it will limit the spontaneity of walking through the woods and getting a good shot of an elk.. or somehthing.
Can you please share your experience and thoughts.
I am trying to get him to become a member here so maybe put in a word or two about that. We call him "Wild-Bill" so he ain't shy but maybe not computer savy... LOL
Thank-you

[coreypolis]

the 70-300 is no where near as good. the 100-400 is good, a prime might be better.

[SYS]

I was at the Yellowstone two summers ago for a week. While you certainly can get close to lot of wildlife, there will arise many occassions also where you'd feel that 300 is too short.

[cazray]

I use a 300mm F4 prime with a tele which works but the other half has the 100-400 IS which is a great lens.And thanks to the others on here uses a 1.5 kenko tc which gives him the distance thats sometimes needed. So I say go 100-400 for all round as there are times when you need the shorter lengths.

[Tony-S]

Can you please share your experience and thoughts.

I'd vote for the Bigma (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=380686&is=USA&addedTroughType=search) and either the Canon (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=351542&is=USA&addedTroughType=search) or Sigma (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=381610&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) ultra-wide angles if he's near the Yellowstone/Teton areas. The wildlife is only half the reason to be there. I'd also recommend a polarizer and neutral density filter for the UWA. And if he has money left over, get a good 1.4x TC (Canon, Sigma or Kenko).

[Longjohns]

Thank you all for posting.
This is just what he needs to make a choice.
Plus you thew in some added info like the filters. He and I both appreciate hearing what you all use.
Anymore out there?

[ed rader]

Hi All,
My friend has a Rebel XT and he shoots a lot of wildlife ( just starting out)
He lives 1/2 the year right next to Yellowstone and has access to some amazing wildlife.
He wants to get closer to his subjects. He would like to know which lens would be best for his needs. He has been thinking he would get the 100-400. Then he went into a camera shop yesterday and the guy told him the 70-300 is a much better lens. He has also been considering a prime but is concerned it will limit the spontaneity of walking through the woods and getting a good shot of an elk.. or somehthing.
Can you please share your experience and thoughts.
I am trying to get him to become a member here so maybe put in a word or two about that. We call him "Wild-Bill" so he ain't shy but maybe not computer savy... LOL
Thank-you


tell your friend not to listen to that guy. there are guys like that at my camera store too who have real strong opinions but sometimes don't know what the hell they are talking about.

you'd be better off soliciting opinions on this forum (like you are doing) than listening to some self-proclaimed expert in a camera shop.

i've never used the 100-400L but i believe it's canon's best all-around wildlife lens when you factor in what you are getting -- 100-400mm, IS -- versatility and cost.

ed rader

[gasrocks]

Some missing info needed to help with any answer: Budget, how much weight is he willing to lug around, to start with.

[Longjohns]

Ok I called the guy (who turns out is not computer savy)
I have to go over and set him up to be on this forum.
Anyway I asked him about budget. He'd like to keep it under 2 grand.
The weight is not a factor. He lives with so much wildlife around him
that he doens't have to go searching for animals/ birds, they come to him.
He says he will use a tri-pod mostly. ( I gave him an old remote I had.)
He would like to ask you about filters for what ever lens you recommend.
I went through that with him (I don't ever use one) but he wants the experts to respond... he's a happy camper you guys are helping him.
Thanks

[Longjohns]

More questions...
please read my last post above... Thanks

[T.D.]

Anyone who says the 75-300 is superior to the 100-400 is a complete idiot (IMHO). I wouldn't solicit any more advice from that guy.

The 100-400 is an excellent lens and probably the best bet for what your friend is trying to shoot given the parameters you listed.

Regardless of lens choice, he needs a circular polarizer (get a quality filter like B+W).