I'm considering the Tamron SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) for my Canon Rebel XT. Has anyone tried this lens with this camera body or another? I would like it for wildlife (eagles, Alaskan brown bears). Or can you recommend a telephoto 300mm+ prime under $1000 with a workable f-stop? Any of your thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.
If you don't need a zoom, and want super-fast AF for shooting flying eagles, the Canon 400 f/5.6L is tough to beat. I use the 300 f/4L IS with a 1.4x TC, but AF isn't nearly as quick as the 400 - sharpness is pretty close, at least with mine.
Edit: FWIW, AI Servo with the XT isn't so hot for flying birds, and if you could swing a few hundred $ and upgrade to at least the XTi, you'd be very happy with the upgrade (or a used 30D perhaps). Best to practice first on some local wildlife before the big trip.
