topic Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting in Gear Guide

Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:08:02 GMT

I have a Canon Rebel T6i that is still working perfectly and frankly I'm scared to make the jump to mirrorless - so I am thinking of investing in a bigger lens so I can photograph from a greater distance. I don't mind the weight, mostly looking for something that's under $2k. I especially love photographing birds and other wildlife at the ocean and the lakes I visit every summer, as well as some local sports games. I can never get close enough for my taste even with my 55-250mm lens.

A friend of mine has a Sigma 150-600mm for her Nikon and I've played with her camera and absolutely love the length and the quality of pictures she gets. I've seen a 60-600 out there as well as 150-600 from various brands, so I want to make sure I'm getting the best (and most reasonable) bang for my buck since it's a big investment for me.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

kvbarkley — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:01:43 GMT

That would be an excellent choice. I have the Tamron for my T6s, but most folks here prefer the sigma. I personally prefer the 150-600 focal length. I don’t see that a monster like a 60-600 would be a handy walking around lens!

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

Tintype_18 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:59:22 GMT

My T7 digests a Sigma 150-600mm just fine. Heavy so it requires a monopod or tripod.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:25:22 GMT

There are really only two reasonable choices ...

1> Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF

2> Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon EF

There is the 'Sport' version of the Sigma which is the lens I personally use and prefer but I warn folks it is big and very heavy but it is a fantastic lens. Since your handle is MrsCatLady I am assuming you are female and probably not a professional power weight lifter so the Sport may not be for you. Buy you never know unless you try it.

However, the first two options are outstanding with the Tamron G2 being just a tad bit better. Don't forget the used market if filled with these big lenses and some are in excellent shape since most people don't realize how big they are or how to use them. I noticed you said....

"I can never get close enough for my taste ...."

That is not the first or best case for using a big super zoom. The main most thing is making the subject larger in the image. And that means you should still be close to your subject not at a great distance. Of course they do act as a telescope so there is that, too. SInce you said you have already tried one you should know how it works in real life situations.

Two recommendations try before you buy and buy the Tamron G2. (<--IMHO) 😁

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:33:34 GMT

"Heavy so it requires a monopod or tripod"

Yes it does sometimes need a tripod but by far I use my 150-600mm Sport hand held. I rarely use or am confined to a monopod or much less a tripod. A tripod is way too confining for the good shots and more of a shoot the Moon type stuff. Everybody is different and everybody has certain limitations but restricting yourself to a tripod is a big handicap. Big super zoom teles are by their nature big and heavy. You need to realize that before you lay your money down.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:57:41 GMT

" I don’t see that a monster like a 60-600 would be a handy walking around lens!"

Neither do I ............... for most people. The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens is a very big and very heavy lens. Know that going in.

I carry my Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens out walking generally in the woods or wildlife areas ro the zoo for long periods of time. Sometimes, I have it on a 1 Series and another 1 Series with a shorter zoom. Once again it all depends on the person.

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens hand held on my 1D Mk IV.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:11:59 GMT

Thank you! The 60-600 seems like it'd be a bear to carry around - as if the 150-600 isn't already heavy enough lol

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:12:27 GMT

Thank you. I do have a good monopod and tripod.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:55:26 GMT

Lol thank you! I take it you're fond of the Tamron G2? 😁

I'd totally be down with buying a used lens as opposed to a new one. Especially since I'm not a pro. I mean I've done weddings and events before and sold some prints, but I'm not a trained pro. So I don't really need a brand spanking new lens.

I guess what I mean by "I can never get close enough for my taste" is that I do want the subject to be larger in the image. I can usually get pretty close to the loons and the eagles by way of boat (pontoon boat so I'm safer lol) but I can't get the subject as large as I would like in my frame.

My friend's lens was heavy, but it was amazing to be able to actually see and watch the animals in much more detail. Half the time I'm just using the camera as binoculars lol..

Thanks for your detailed input! I may actually end up renting both lenses for a week to see what I think.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

kvbarkley — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:27:54 GMT

If you are in the US, you can rent from Lens Rentals, and if you really like your copy, you can purchase it from them. That is what I did with my Tamron.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:44:20 GMT

Oh that's great to know! Thank you. I'm nervous renting even though I baby my equipment, but I think it would be a good trial run for me to make sure it's something I want to invest in.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:48:08 GMT

You do have DPP4? It is free form Canon. You may be surprised how a little cropping in your images can make them a whole lot better. D/l DPP4 from the Canon website.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

MrsCatLady — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:07:23 GMT

I do - I also use Lightroom for most of my editing, including cropping. I shoot in RAW with manual settings and have learned the basics of editing in LR. Here is an example of a Bald Eagle I photographed in Belgrade, Maine. This was quite cropped from the original. More cropping would have killed the quality. This was taken from the water level just below the tree it was on. Sometimes, I'd just love a little more zoom 🙂

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:41:14 GMT

You rock!

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:09 GMT

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

shadowsports — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:05:21 GMT

@MrsCatLady ,

I couldn't agree more with the lens suggestions made by my colleagues, having owned at least one of them myself.

The only other suggestion I may add is buy used or second hand from a reliable reseller. KEH, MPB, Adorama or B&H used departments.

Understandably if your current camera is meeting your needs, then upgrading your body is not a necessity, but whatever apprehension you're having about upgrading to mirrorless is unfounded. Mirrorless bodies are superior to DSLRs in just about every way. They've been around long enough now so that price is also very reasonable. DSLRs remain very good, but mirrorless has eclipsed them from a performance standpoint. I'm not suggesting that you run out and upgrade but you have nothing to be "scared" of when the time comes.

Re: Most reasonable x-600mm Lens to use with Canon Rebel T6i for casual shooting

ebiggs1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:32:25 GMT

"I take it you're fond of the Tamron G2?"

Not to labor this further but I have, or have had, every single version or model of the so-called super zoom lenses. About a dozen or so! I didn't buy and do not have the Tamron G2 since it was introduced after I had bought my Siggy Sport. I have a best friend that shoots all the G2 lenses so that is why I can vouch from experience how good it is well as all the other G2 lenses. They are fantastic. I think Tamron knew it fell behind when the Sigma Art series came on line, so it prompted the redesign and the new G2 line.