topic Re: Wildlife + macro/micro photography? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Wildlife + macro/micro photography?

SnapDragon1 — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 19:36:44 GMT

Currently looking at the Canon EOS R10 for wildlife and macro photography. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, but I would prefer something more portable, with Bluetooth and an articulated screen. What are some suggestions I should take into consideration when deciding for a camera? Budget wise I don’t think I would like to exceed the 1k mark. I should add I’m fairly naïve and trying to learn as much as I can, perhaps my T3i is plenty enough. I do own a Canon SX720HS that I reach for often because it’s light and small, but I would prefer far more quality and control that a dslr can offer

Re: Wildlife + macro/micro photography?

Tronhard — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 21:31:37 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum:
Can I suggest reading the following guide for those folks in your situation:
Considerations when considering buying camera gear

Wildlife and macro are both fairly specialized areas in terms of the lenses involved. One of the traps that people often fall into is to concentrate on the camera body, whereas the optics are often the greater investment and have a greater impact on the resultant image.

$1,000 is not a great budget when considering getting both optics and a body, so I will pose a couple of immediate questions for you:

1. What lenses are you currently using - please be specific as to the models as there may be several for the same focal range.

2. It is tempting for folks in our position to suggest camera bodies and lenses that we like or use, but what you get must be specific to your needs and limitations. In that respect, what is it precisely that your current gear is not doing for you, or holding you back? Or, to rephrase it, what do you hope to gain by switching from your current gear?

Re: Wildlife + macro/micro photography?

SnapDragon1 — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 18:53:52 GMT

I’ll be embarrassingly honestly, I only have the kit lenses that came with my T3i, been using the 55-250mm more often, but thank you, I think I’ll keep with my T3i until I learn more and experiment with lenses, what’s a decent starter lense for macro photography, or what can I learn with my kit lenses before I jump ahead?

Re: Wildlife + macro/micro photography?

Tronhard — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:04:02 GMT

The kit lenses - 18-55 and 55-250 are both OK lenses. The STM version of the former is the best of the many variants.

For macro photography, I would recommend either the EF-S 60mm f/2.8, or the EF 100mm f/2.8. Both are good for macro work and the also make great portrait lenses.

They are not available new, but you can get some great ones from reputable resellers like KEH.COM. They rate their gear and they come with a warranty:
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Autofocus APS-C Lens, Black {52} at KEH Camera and...
Canon 100mm F/2.8 Macro USM EF Mount Lens {58} - Used SLR & DSLR Lenses - Used Camera Lenses at KEH Camera at KEH Camera

To boost your general photographic work, I would suggest one of those two, plus the EF-S 18-135 IS STM or USM lens. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS NANO USM AF Lens for APS-C DSLR {67} - Used SLR & DSLR Lenses - Used Camera Lenses at KEH Camera at KEH Camera

As you may observe from the images below, you can get some decent close-up images with the ED-S18-135 lens, and it is also a great walk-around lens. If you are prepared to go up to your budget, you could sort out the wildlife as well with either of the following lenses - you would have a lot of flexibility.
The excellent Canon EF 70-300 MkII IS USM:
https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-is-ii-usm-ef-mount-lens-67-1.html
See my article on Canon EF 70-300 lenses: Canon EF 70-300mm lenses In Depth
Or a Tamron 100-400:
Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 DI VC USD Lens for Canon EF-Mount {67} A035 at KEH Camera

To give you an idea of the lens quality here are some sample images: all taken hand-held, available light.
The camera referred to as the 600D, is called the Rebel T3i in North America, so exactly the same as you have.
The first two show how well the 18-135 can take a crop, which is a good test of a lens.

80D, EF-S 18-135 USM @135mm Full, f/5.6, 1/200sec, ISO-2000 EOS 80D, EF-S 18-135USM@135mm, f/5.6, 1/200sec, ISO-2000 EOS 650D, EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, f/14, 1/40sec, ISO-400 Canon EOS 600D, EF-S 60mm, f/3.2, 1/13sec, ISO-200EOS 60D, EF -S 18-135 USM@85mm, f/10, 12/100sec, ISO-200 EF-S 18-135 STM@ 135mm, f/8, 1/200sec, ISO-200