topic Re: Auto Zoom Lens in EF & RF Lenses

Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

jjescowart — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:52:05 GMT

Hello, my wife and I are new to photography, and we have a Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera. We would like to shoot some close-up shots of birds and other wildlife, what would be the best auto zoom lens to purchase for beginners like us?

Thank you.

John

Re: Auto Zoom Lens

rs-eos — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 15:49:51 GMT

What do you mean by "auto zoom"? For a lens to automatically zoom? That won't be the case. A zoom lens must be adjusted manually to amount of zoom (focal length) it would be set to.

Re: Auto Zoom Lens

MikeSowsun — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:11:50 GMT

I am curious why you are using the term “Auto Zoom”. I suspect you might be looking at buying a used lens. Back in the 1960s, zoom lenses and auto exposure were still new, and lens manufactures loved to print “Auto Zoom” as advertising the latest technology.

Don’t buy a used lens that says “Auto Zoom” on it. It means it is on old manual focus film camera lens from the 1960s, and will be near impossible to use on a modern camera.

Here is an example of a 1960s 80-200mm “Auto Zoom”. If you try to use it on a modern camera, there will be absolutely nothing “Auto” about it.

Re: Auto Zoom Lens

JoeySnaps — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 18:04:07 GMT

Close-ups of birds are very difficult, they're typically small and a long way away. If you've moved from a 'superzoom' fixed lens camera to your DSLR, you might be disappointed. To get reasonably close to birds (that aren't in cages) you'll need patience, practice, skill, as well as a long telephoto lens and these don't come cheap. The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 is probably your entry point. Note this isn't actually a zoom lens, it's a fixed focal length telephoto. If you do want a zoom lens, you might get some success with the Canon EF 70-300mm lens, there are several versions of it, mostly very good value. You will quickly discover, however, that most bird photographers are using lenses of 500mm and upwards. They need deep pockets and big biceps...

Re: Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

shadowsports — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:58:52 GMT

@jjescowart,

2 very popular lenses for birding on a Rebel are the Sigma or Tamron 150~600mm. The mount designation will be "Canon EF". For your own knowledge, your camera will accept lenses with EF or EF-S mounts.

These lenses are both about $1K new, and $750 or so used in good condition. A 300mm lens may not get you close enough without being super distracting or scaring your subject "bird".

As Ricky and Mike pointed out, these lenses need to be manually adjusted (how far or near) your subject appears. The focus (sharpness) can be done for you by the camera, or by you manually if you wish.

This is not the case with a fully manual "auto-zoom" lens. (Thanks to Mike) for mentioning.

Re: Auto Zoom Lens

jjescowart — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:56:50 GMT

Ricky, Thanks for the reply. I meant auto focus. Sorry about that. Am still learning... I will look at those suggestions... thanks again

Re: Auto Zoom Lens

jjescowart — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:59:24 GMT

Mike, thanks. I meant and should have typed auto focus. that was my fault. I am still learning.. 😊. I appreciate the advice on the auto zoom. I apparently have a lot to learn....

Re: Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

jjescowart — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:15:01 GMT

Rick, appreciate the help and the recommendations. We will look into a Sigma or Tamron 150mm - 600mm lens and go from there. Thanks!

Re: Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

Tintype_18 — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:09:44 GMT

I have a T7 and bought the Sigma 150-600mm for nature and bird photos. It has proven to be a good investment.

We are always learning.

Re: Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

jjescowart — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:22:38 GMT

Awesome! Thanks John. I appreciate the feedback. I agree, we are always learning!

Re: Auto Zoom Lens Recommendations for Birds and Wildlife

amfoto1 — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 19:31:14 GMT

The Tamron and Sigma 160-600mm lenses are popular among "birders". Sigma also makes a 60-600mm. These lenses currently cost between $1000 and $2000. Be aware that they are all relatively large, heavy lenses. The lightest of them is about 4.5 lb. (incl. tripod ring & lens hood). The heaviest is over 6 lb. For anything more than a few moments shooting you will probably want a sturdy tripod or at least a monopod with any of them.

150-600mm and 60-600mm lenses compared (B&H Photo).

If the above lenses seem a bit too much, some others you may wish to consider are a trio of 100-400mm lenses available from Sigma, Tamron and Canon. 400mm is still quite powerful telephoto on a Canon T7 camera and these 100-400mm are all considerably more compact and lighter weight than the above lenses, ranging between roughly 2.5 lb and 3.5 lb. The Sigma and Tamron are also a bit more affordable at $799. Between those two, the Tamron can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (sold separately for $129). There is no option to fit a tripod ring on the Sigma. The Canon is the largest and heaviest of these three and comes with a tripod mounting ring. It is easily the most premium of all the lenses listed here, with the best image quality, best build quality/durability, better sealing for dust and weather resistance and best general performance. The Canon EF 100-400mm II is also the most expensive at $2199 (on sale currently, regularly $2399).

100-400mm lenses compared (B&H Photo)

There also is an earlier version of the Canon 100-400mm lens that's quite capable, slightly lighter weight and might be found in reasonably good condition used for under $1000 (MPB.com);

There also were earlier versions of Sigma and Tamron zooms with 150-600mm, 150-500mm and 120-400mm focal lengths that might be found used. Honestly I hesitate to recommend any of them at this point, as they don't have as good image quality, functionality and features as any of the above lenses.

You can find much more detailed reviews about, sample images done with, and sharpness and other testing of most of these lenses at Bryan Carnathan's website.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2), EOS M5, some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR