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Archive 2015 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?

  
 
billsamuels
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Hey,

I've been looking at a lot of your birding work, especially the eagles and other game, and I would like to get a lens that would get closer to the action. I have the Canon EF 70-200mm F/4L and I was thinking of getting the Canon lens extender 2x III that should work for that lens, but I have some money to get a better lens, so I think it would be worth while just getting a better lens(?).

I have about $1,500 and as much as I'd like to spend it on the new 100-400mm that was just reviewed and I think I just missed the chance to get a Canon refurbished because they sold out of them between yesterday and today, not to mention that I was getting back and forth information about that lens (the first generation).

What lens should I consider getting in the "L" family that would be good for birding, realizing my budget? I'm willing to look into getting a used version, including the first generation of the 100-400mm F/4.5L?

OR perhaps I should just get the the extender for $450 because I already have a great lens

Oh ya, I'm not stuck on getting a zoom lens - I'd be okay with a prime lens, just price is the issue often with prime lenses.
Thanks.



Feb 17, 2015 at 11:56 PM
ox0312
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


What camera bodies you have?


Feb 17, 2015 at 11:59 PM
Fred Meebley
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I love my 400 5.6. I think you would be much happier with it than a 2x extender on a 70-200.


Feb 18, 2015 at 12:01 AM
arbitrage
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


With a 2x on the 70-200 you'd be shooting 140-400 f/8. You will need a 7D2, 5D3 or any 1 series to even AF. Even the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II has noticeable slowdown with AF even on my 1DX when I use it with the 2xTC (and it is still at f/5.6)..

I'd look at the 100-400 so you'd be at f/5.6. Or the new Tamron 150-600 or the soon to be released Sigma 150-600 Contemporary version.



Feb 18, 2015 at 12:06 AM
wtlloyd
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Get a 400 f5.6 - I'm selling mine, or you could also pick up one from Canon refurbished


Feb 18, 2015 at 12:07 AM
lowside67
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Sell your 70-200 for about $400 (if it's an F4 non IS), add $1500, buy a new 100-400 II and you will be a very happy camper. You'll have double the reach, image stabilization, and a substantial increase in sharpness.

Mark



Feb 18, 2015 at 12:12 AM
billsamuels
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I have a Canon 6D.

Edited on Feb 18, 2015 at 01:27 AM · View previous versions



Feb 18, 2015 at 12:57 AM
billsamuels
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Get a 400 f5.6 - I'm selling mine, or you could also pick up one from Canon refurbished

wtlloy - How much do you want for your 400mm and what condition is it in?



Feb 18, 2015 at 01:04 AM
billsamuels
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I have a Canon 6D!

I guess the real question I should ask from this point from the information you all have provided is, which lens is a better buy and produces better pictures for what I can afford, the 400mm, the 100-400mm I, or the new 100-400mm II?

I think I want to keep the 70-200, so it would really be between the older 100-400mm or the 400mm. Which would be a better choice and why? If you have the 400mm, why do you love it



Feb 18, 2015 at 01:23 AM
lowside67
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


billsamuels wrote:
I think I want to keep the 70-200, so it would really be between the older 100-400mm or the 400mm. Which would be a better choice and why? If you have the 400mm, why do you love it

Just curious, why are you so bent on keeping the 70-200? Its range is mostly covered by the 100-400 II and while the 100-400 II may be 5.0 at 200mm, the IS vastly outweighs the 2/3 of a stop penalty. The 100-400 II is also literally sharper everywhere than the 70-200 F4.

Mark



Feb 18, 2015 at 01:26 AM
docsmiles17
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I wouldn't recommend a 2x with your f/4 for birding. Highly consider the new 100-400 if considering zoom lens. I personally like fast primes for birding but with your budget it might not work out.


Feb 18, 2015 at 01:28 AM
billsamuels
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Just curious, why are you so bent on keeping the 70-200? Its range is mostly covered by the 100-400 II and while the 100-400 II may be 5.0 at 200mm, the IS vastly outweighs the 2/3 of a stop penalty. The 100-400 II is also literally sharper everywhere than the 70-200 F4. Mark

That's a good point. I guess because it's very lightweight (non-IS) and the sharpest lens I have, so whenever I want super-sharp, I use that lens. it even seems sharper than my Zeiss lens.

And yes, it would cover almost the entire spectrum of the 70-200 minus 70-100, which is trivial because I also have a 24-105, so I guess that's trivial as well. I should be able to get a good price on it because it's in perfect condition as well. Where do you go to get a reliable bluebook price for a lens?



Feb 18, 2015 at 01:35 AM
Ferrophot
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Heh? slow down. The 70-200F4 and the 100-400L are two different beasts. Keep the 70-200F4, it's a fine all rounder for short tele work. For your birds and wildlife the 100-400L is about the minimum, especially with the 6D. Maybe the Tamron or Sigma 150-600 will be better because of the extra reach. I would wait until there are some reliable informations about these three lenses and how they rank, then choose one to suit your budget and aspirations. In the meantime save up the necessary $s for one of these.
For wildlife there are no cheap gears.



Feb 18, 2015 at 02:01 AM
ox0312
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


Keeping the $1500 budget in mind and you are just entering into bird/wildlife photography.

With your Canon 6D (a FF camera and will focus lenses upto F5.6 (not F8)) - 400mm F5.6 lens will not be enough for most Bird situations. You will not be able to use teleconverter due to max 5.6 limit on the Canon 6D body.

I would suggest getting Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm for $1069 (or used around $950 mark) - that will give you a 600mm on the FF body.

The rest of the money you can spend on buying a used Canon 7D (or a 70D) (can get good deals these days for around $500 - $600 mark). Canon 7D (or a 70D) will give you extra (1.6x) cropped factor plus 8 (or 7) frames per second. Canon 6D is a good camera but with 4.5 frame/sec (and mediocre buffer size) is not really a great camera for bird photography.

That should be a nice entry level setup into bird photography.



Feb 18, 2015 at 02:59 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


lowside67 wrote:
... The 100-400 II is also literally sharper everywhere than the 70-200 F4.


I agree that the 100-400L IS is sharper than the 70-200/4L + 2x extender, but not the 70-200/4L without extender.




Feb 18, 2015 at 06:24 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I think arbitrage, Ferrophot and ox0312 are making good sense. A Tamron or Sigma 150-600mm zoom would be a great entry level lens for birding.


Edited on Feb 18, 2015 at 07:35 AM · View previous versions



Feb 18, 2015 at 06:26 AM
JVthePT
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I'd pick up a Tamron 150-600, mine is really sharp on the 6d and pretty darn good on the 7d2.


Feb 18, 2015 at 06:42 AM
RikWriter
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I agree with JV. For the money you're talking about, the Tamron 150-600 would be a good choice.


Feb 19, 2015 at 09:47 AM
Bsmooth
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


I also do a lot of birding and have the 70-200 and first generation 100-400. I haven't used my 70-200 in about 3 or 4 years.
I would sell the 70-200. I thought the same thing since it was my first L lens, but it sounds like its time to move on. Plus its $400-500 towards what you will probably use more often.
I'm going to be moving to the newer version of the 100-400 as well, not sure how much of an optical and image change it will make though. I hope its a lot ,but maybe not as much as I think.
Either a first version 100-400 or the Tamron are both good choices. I would tend to go with the 100-400 unless its birds in flight, where I'd go for the 400 5.6 prime.
The 100-400 is a great all around lens, and I'm talking either version.



Feb 19, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Wrei
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Zoom Telephoto for Wildlife recommendation?


You might also check out Lens Authority for used lenses. The equipment I have bought from them has been exactly as described.


Lens Authority



Feb 19, 2015 at 10:12 AM
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