Affordable lens good for wildlife/bird photography

marklori43 · 11th of January 2010 (Mon)

I have a Canon 70-200mm L USM F4 lens and I really could have used a lens with greater range for photographing bald eagles this weekend.
Any recommendations for a good lens in the $500.00 range maybe up to a 500mm.
Or should I opt for a 1.4x or 2x tele convertor?

Thanks

GoneTomorrow · 11th of January 2010 (Mon)

Try renting a 1.4x teleconverter first and see how you like it. It will bump the max aperture down to f/5.6, but will still auto focus. The 2x converter will not allow auto focus. Other than that, the only lens even coming close to your price range with that much reach is the Sigma 150-500mm. There's also the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 USM IS, but that's a step down in IQ from your 70-200.

gasrocks · 11th of January 2010 (Mon)

Winefiled IL? You are welcome to visit me and try out a TC or 2, and play with the lenses you'll get someday. Best choices for longer on a budget are either: EF 400/5.6 for hiking and handholding or Sigma 150-500 OS if you do not mind a tripod/monopod and need the reach.

GoneTomorrow · 11th of January 2010 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasrocks

Winefiled IL? You are welcome to visit me and try out a TC or 2, and play with the lenses you'll get someday. Best choices for longer on a budget are either: EF 400/5.6 for hiking and handholding or Sigma 150-500 OS if you do not mind a tripod/monopod and need the reach.

Great Caesar's Ghost, that's one hell of a lens collection you have!

11th of January 2010 (Mon)	#1
marklori43 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Winfield, IL Posts: 205	Affordable lens good for wildlife/bird photography I have a Canon 70-200mm L USM F4 lens and I really could have used a lens with greater range for photographing bald eagles this weekend. Any recommendations for a good lens in the $500.00 range maybe up to a 500mm. Or should I opt for a 1.4x or 2x tele convertor? Thanks __________________ Nature Sniper Canon 40D, Canon 7D, Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip, Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip, Canon EF 70-200mm 4.0 L USM, Canon Extender EF 1.4x II, Canon EF 100mm 2.8 USM Macro, Canon EF-S 18-55mm, Canon EF 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip, Tamrac 5375 Backpack Bag, Manfrotto 055XPROB with 498RC2, Manfrotto 055XCCSB Short Center, Manfrotto 679B Monopod, Canon 430EX.

11th of January 2010 (Mon)	#2
GoneTomorrow Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,125 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Affordable lens good for wildlife/bird photography Try renting a 1.4x teleconverter first and see how you like it. It will bump the max aperture down to f/5.6, but will still auto focus. The 2x converter will not allow auto focus. Other than that, the only lens even coming close to your price range with that much reach is the Sigma 150-500mm. There's also the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 USM IS, but that's a step down in IQ from your 70-200. __________________ Canon 5D Mk II (35/1.4L \| 24-70/2.8L \| 135/2L \| Euro Nifty \| 430EX II \| Gitzo G1125 + 494RC2) flickr I bought a new camera. It's very advanced - you don't even need it. ~Steven Wright

11th of January 2010 (Mon)	#3
gasrocks Cream of the Crop Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portage, Wisconsin USA Posts: 12,487	Re: Affordable lens good for wildlife/bird photography Winefiled IL? You are welcome to visit me and try out a TC or 2, and play with the lenses you'll get someday. Best choices for longer on a budget are either: EF 400/5.6 for hiking and handholding or Sigma 150-500 OS if you do not mind a tripod/monopod and need the reach. __________________ GEAR LIST http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...&postcount=842

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