topic Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography? in EF & RF Lenses

What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

CurtL — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:44:17 GMT

I bought my wife a Cannon Rebel EOS T7 for Christmas last year. She has hinted that she wants a better telephoto lens for wild life/ bird pictures. I did a little reading and I think she needs either a 600 or 800 mm lense. Can I get a suggestion of what lens she needs and what lens I should buy? Thanking you in advance- Christmas is coming!

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

zakslm — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 20:41:24 GMT

CurtL,

I will leave a lens recommendation to others with more experience and insight.

I would like to mention that the T7 is a crop sensor camera and the effective 35mm focal length equivalent of any lens is 1.6X times the focal length of the lens. That makes a 600mm or 800mm lens equivalent to 960mm and 1280mm lens. Those focal length equivalents may very challenging to use on the T7. In addition to magnifying the subject, a longer focal length also magnifies things like camera shake, etc. and even with image stabilization, may result in less than desirable results.

So, subject to the advice of others, you may want to include 300mm and 400mm lenses (or zooms with a long end of 300-400mm’s) in the lenses you may consider. The equivalent focal length for a 300mm or 400mm lens on the T7 would be 480mm or 640mm and that may work nicely for wildlife/bird photography.

Good luck!

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:25:02 GMT

Since you don't mention a budget, I'll throw these out there and let you decide.

Either of the Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm, which come in a couple of configurations at different price points. Another popular lens is the Sigma 60-600mm which is a bit more expensive than the others I mentioned, but a bit more versatile.

[EDIT] Just be sure you get the versions made for the Canon EF mount. They come in various camera mounts.

Newton

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

Waddizzle — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:22:58 GMT

Welcome to the Canon Community. Do you have a price range or budget?

I think you may get suggestions for a 150-600mm lens by either Sigma or Tamron. I would downsize that recommendation to one of the 200-400mm lenses by the same companies.

Why? Because the lenses are beasts and are quite heavy. I would expect most women would need some sort of support like a monopod. Also, because of its weight the lens would be a significant drain on the battery. Canon DSLRs tend to reduce maximum frame rates once available battery power drops below 50%.

Does she have any specific lenses in mind?

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

CurtL — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:52:47 GMT

Thank you for your post. I appreciate your information. I think to spend about 1000 or so. Any suggestion are very welcome. Happy Thanksgiving!

Curt

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

CurtL — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:58:20 GMT

Newton

Thank you for your post. I am hoping to spend about 1000 or so. Is Amazon the best place to purchase?
Thanks

Curt

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

CurtL — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 23:01:59 GMT

Thank you for your post. I appreciate your comments. I am hoping to spend no more than 1000. My problem is I know very little about cameras. I understand that a 400 mm may work fine for my wife's needs. What lens would you recommend?

Thanks

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 23:02:26 GMT

I'm inclined to agree with Waddizzle. The "wife" element went right over my head, and it's not that all women couldn't deal with the big heavy lenses, I just know that my wife wouldn't want to. She chose the R6 and mark II with the Canon RF 100-400 for that very reason. She also used the T7i with the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM II before moving to the R6 series because it was so light.

I consider 400mm to be about the minimum for birding for most folks, although I was quite successful using a 70-300 L on my croppers for years, but I am a stalker and quite good at it. I eventually bought the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM II and used that on my 7D II and 5D IV. What a nice lens that is and if it's within your budget, I would prefer that over a non Canon lens in the same focal range, but I am a bit of a Canon L snob. I also like the versatility of the EF 100-400L II because when I'm out birding, I can shoot flowers and insects up close without a lens change.

Newton

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 23:17:42 GMT

@CurtL wrote:

Newton

Thank you for your post. I am hoping to spend about 1000 or so. Is Amazon the best place to purchase?
Thanks

Curt

Hello, Curt!

I have had a great experience with Amazon over the years and I've bought a lot of Canon gear from them. You just have to make sure that it is "Sold and Shipped" by Amazon! I can't stress that enough... Avoid the "Marketplace" like the plague. I've also had a great experience with B&H, but prefer Amazons return policy and have never had issues with delivery.

Newton

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

Ron888 — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:01:02 GMT

I think you guessed right.Bird photographers usually like very long lenses.
If you want to stick with canon lenses the EF100-400mm L II has excellent image quality.
If you want to go longer and don't mind off brand ,i'll add another vote for the Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm lenses.
Sigma have two 150-600mm lenses-
The 'C' (for contemporary) lens is the lower priced option.
The 'S' (for sport) has slightly better optics and some weather sealing but is heavier and higher priced.
Tamron have the 150-600mm 'G2' model which is similar to the cheaper model Sigma (or perhaps slightly better).
There may still be some older 'G1' Tamrons on the shelves so be aware of that.From what i can gather the G1 has very (VERY) slightly less image quality to the G2
All of these lenses are heavy but there's no getting around that.Using them on a tripod/monopod will likely be the norm

*edited to correct EF lens info

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

Tronhard — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:51:57 GMT

Hi Curt and welcome to the forum:
As a wildlife photographer, I can only echo the advice of my colleagues that either the Sigma 150-600c or the Tamron 150-600 (G1 or G2). For the focal range available, they are not heavy, but one does have to have the strength to heft them, or use a monopod. All of these 3rd-party lenses must be identified as Canon EF mount. I have had the Sigma 150-600c and still have the 60-600s (which both have similar optics) and they are capable of giving excellent results - the rest is up to the photographer.
80D, Sigma 150-600@ 435mm, f/6.3, 1/250sec, ISO-1000R6II, Sigma 150-600@403mm, f/7.1, 1/80sec, ISO-100

If you are in the US, then KEH.com will be a reliable source for used lenses (to stay within budget) - they rate their gear and offer a warranty. For example, the Sigma 150-600c: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C (Contemporary) Lens for Canon EF-Mount {95} with TS-71 Tripod Collar/Foot at KEH Camera

Amazon has some risk for used gear.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:33:18 GMT

"I can only echo the advice of my colleagues that either the Sigma 150-600c or the Tamron 150-600 (G1 or G2)."

Any of these lenses even the previous 150-500mm versions are capable of producing nice images. And probably enough to satisfy most armature photographers. So that boils down to which one appeals to you most or perhaps price. You would likely be happy with any of them but from a guy that has every model that has been produced from the older 150-500mm super zooms to the latest 150-600mm models (excluding the latest 60-600mm from Sigma but I have used one) the very best top of the heap is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. If you have to have the best that's it not by much but it's the best one.

My personal favorite is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens and is the one I use 95% of the time I need a super tele. I never actually bought the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens although I did get the opportunity to try one, I see no reason or advantage to it. Nobody buys one of these type super zooms to use it at the short end. Even 150mm is not going to be used a lot. You will be on the long side way, way more than on the short side. When Canon finally decided to jump on the bandwagon they realized that and correctly made the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens. And 200mm does make more sense the 60mm or even 150mm.

So there you are want the best of the bunch get the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:44:47 GMT

"The 'S' (for sport) has slightly better optics and some weather sealing but is heavier and higher priced."

Talk about an understatement! The weather sealing of the Sigma S model vs any and all the others isn't even comparable. The SIgma S is as weather sealed as any lens can be. The Sigma C model basically has none. The Tamron G2 has some but nowhere near the Sigma S.

As to better optics the S just might have slightly better optics than the C model but you are going to be in pixel peeper mode to see it. The Tamron G2 dose have very good optics perhaps the best. Any of Tamron's G2 lens lineup that I have used have great optics.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

Waddizzle — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 20:33:37 GMT

@CurtL wrote:

Thank you for your post. I appreciate your comments. I am hoping to spend no more than 1000. My problem is I know very little about cameras. I understand that a 400 mm may work fine for my wife's needs. What lens would you recommend?

Thanks

I just noticed a typo in my response. Both Tamron and Sigma offer 100-400mm lenses. These are fairly lightweight and would make a good pairing with the T7.

I would recommend the following camera settings. You have two choices, single point or all points. Enable all points. Select the AF Servo focus mode for action photography.

These settings take advantage of the camera;s instinctive behavior to focus on the closest object to the camera within the AF zone.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

JamesHarvey — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 07:22:05 GMT

Get a good used EF100-400m2, & possibly an EF1.4x TC. You would actually have been better off giving her an R series camera, there are many good zoom & prime teles made for the R series, at multiple price/performance points.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

CurtL — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 21:33:55 GMT

Trevor

Thank you for your post. - do you know weight wise what are the differences between the
EF 100-400 and the. Tampon 150-600 G2?

I appreciate your suggestions.

thanks

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

Waddizzle — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:24:47 GMT

“ I bought my wife a Cannon Rebel EOS T7 for Christmas last year. She has hinted that she wants a better telephoto lens for wild life/ bird pictures. “

I am going to repeat my previous comment regarding the weight of lenses. The often repeated suggestions regarding the 150-600mm class of lenses may not be taking into account the end user.

What is the model number and focal length of the lens she is currently using? What is the maximum focal length?

Capturing wildlife photos is a great hobby, but it challenging one. The T7 is an entry level camera body, which makes the challenges more difficult.

Re: What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 15:29:19 GMT

"The T7 is an entry level camera body, which makes the challenges more difficult."

Yes and this would make it even more "challenging",... "Get a good used EF100-400m2, & possibly an EF1.4x TC."

The ef 100-400mm zoom, OK, the tel-con, no. IMHO, as always.