Some money to spend on lens(es)

[zach]

Well as of late I've been working at lot of OT and my wife made me a deal to let me spend some of my OT money on whatever I want. So I'm looking at a new lens or possibly two. Should I go "L"?

My set up right now is the DReb, kit lens, 50 1.8 and Tamron 75-300. My main focus is leaning toward wildlife. Not just birds, but Deer, Elk, etc. So I'm thinking longer lens, but I also enjoy the prospect of macro. So I have a delema, a good one. I'd rather go quality over quanity.

What you you spend the money on? I'm thinking long term here. Some day I plan on upgrading with an additional body(don't know what yet). I'm still working OT so I might end up with more holes in my pockets.

[tim]

How much can you afford to spend? The 75-200 probably isn't long enough for wildlife, 100-400L is one option but it's $1400 or so. Then again the 75-200 might be ok if you can get close to larger animals, and the F4 is "only" around $550.

[zach]

Tim, I have somewhere around $1500 USD. I had thought of the 100-400L, but was also looking in to the 400 f/5.6 Prime. That limits what I could use if for though. I like the flexability of zoom, but don't want to sacrifice quality(sharpness).

I assume you like the 100 f/2.8 Macro? I've been debating that with the along with the sigma 105 f/2.8 EX.

To many decisions. LOL

[RJSorensen]

I have much the same dilemma regarding lens . . . I borrowed a Sigma BigMa 50-500 and what I found out is that I wish it went to 1000mm! I don't think one can get enough reach. You are right too about the speed of the primes over the zooms . . . and I can tell you that in low light things get tough for a f4/xx lens. Sometimes not even finding focus at all on my 20D.

Dreaming of which len(s) to get is half the fun however . . . so take your time and don't settle for less than that which you wish.

[Eric DeCastro]

maybe you should rent some lenses and see what you really want. I myself have no use for lenses that long. I would be happy with a second hand 70-200 2.8l and a new pair of shoes. =)

[ron chappel]

Just a thought-
Macro is one of those things where there are a ton of cheap ways to achieve good quality results if you can do without a dedicated macro lens

Some options are:
Using an add on diopter
extension tubes
reverse adapter
reversing a lens onto the front of a normal lens
Most of these techniques can be used with high quality cheap old manual focus lenses.The only real drawback is speed-you have no AF and you have to set the aperture manually before each shot

Perhaps you might want to do macro one of these ways so you have more to put towards a tele lens (where there are no shortcuts to quality)?

[Akreager]

Good wife!!! Mine tends to tolerate alot of camera bucks, but I think it is so she can not feel guilty about buying cloths...

You said you were working OT and had about $1500. This is what I would/did do. Get a Gitzo carbon fiber Reporter tripod that levels with just a quick twist of the wrist. Add the Bogen horizontal grip ball head. Also very easy/quick. It has a level bubble and friction/tension adjustment. (go to the Bogen Imaging web site for info on both). I use this set up with a 300mm for sports with great success so wildlife should be no problem. there is a short learning curve. Get the Canon 300mmF4.0 and a 1.4 teleconverter. This will give you 480mm at F4 and 672 at F5.6 whick is a monster! Just don't jab at the shutter release. F5.6 may seem a little slow and with the rebel the viewfinder will be a little dark in low light- you may miss a few shots, but overall it will perform great. The IS will get you back to f2.8 type speed if you handhold but will not allow you to stop fast action. When you upgrade to to a 20D or to a 1DmarkII (I just did and I am loving it), the viewfinder issues will go away and you can bump the ISO to 800 plus and still get very good immages. The higher iso will get your speed back. In summary:

Gitzo TP $632 From Adorama
Grip head 99 From Adorama
300f4Lis 1200 From Adorama
1.4 TC 290 From Adorama........=$2221 Oops a little more OT but this will be the bomb

All f2.8 300mm options are over $2000 and big and heavy

Hope this helps

Andy K

[Akreager]

I just saw above a 20D owner that has focus problems in low light above f4. I have none with my MarkII but I had better not that and one stop less noise is about all you get extra for the 2.5X price over the 20D.

My advice is switch to manual focus in low light. Again the 2.8 option is $$$$$. The bucks you spend on the tripod and the TC can be used with other lenses!!!

[Jon]

Get the 100-400 L. Anything less than a real 400, however well it works in your back yard, will be too short in the field. Even 400 may be a tad short for birds, for that matter. Unless you're in a large wildlife preserve or game park, you aren't going to be able to rely on sneaking up close enough to get that shot. Don't rely on the cra^hop factor to make up for shorter lenses, either; it's just not enough.

[zach]

As said in another thread, I'm renting the 100-400 this weekend for a whale watching trip. That should give me a pretty good test of the lens. Someday hopefull will own all of them.

[Scottes]

Tim, I have somewhere around $1500 USD. I had thought of the 100-400L, but was also looking in to the 400 f/5.6 Prime. That limits what I could use if for though. I like the flexability of zoom, but don't want to sacrifice quality(sharpness).

A long post I wrote comparing the Canon 400m L and the Canon 100-400mm L:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43436


My thoughts: Get the 100-400 L. It's my favorite lens, so very versatile... Ahh, read the link. :wink:

[zach]

A long post I wrote comparing the Canon 400m L and the Canon 100-400mm L:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43436


My thoughts: Get the 100-400 L. It's my favorite lens, so very versatile... Ahh, read the link. :wink:

Thats a great comparison. I'll probably read it a couple times.( It sinks in better that way:D )

[MrChad]

$1500, sounds like a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and a Canon 70-200f2.8L to me.
Sell the Tamron 70-300 and get a Canon 1.4x converter down the road.