topic Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Telephoto glass for wildlife

Layochum — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 07:02:16 GMT

Here's the deal, I have the 75-300 macro lens that came with my T6 but want to have more zoom. The problem I have is that im far from able to throw large amounts of money out there for the lens I would really want, I am a hobbyist on a small budget, father of 2 girls plus a wife (daddy don't get a whole lot). I need some suggestions for an affordable good piece of glass that would give me some distance with speed. All responses are appreciated.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

StanNH — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:50:31 GMT

What are your budget constraints? Both Sigma and Tamron make decent "budget" 150-600mm lenses, but even those are in the $1,000 range and are not fast lenses.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

kvbarkley — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:23:23 GMT

The 75 to 300 is not that good of a lens.

If $1000 is too much for you, you can get a 1.4 teleconvertor which will make your 300 mm a 420mm equiv, which will be equivalent to a FF 672 mm.

I have had pretty good luck with my Tamron TC, though I don't use it much since I got my 150 -600 mm lens. 8^).

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

ebiggs1 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:45:35 GMT

"I am a hobbyist on a small budget, ..."

Aren't we all?

Here is the cheapest option and it does a 'reasonable' job but keep in mind it is totally manual. Completely manual. The Opteka 500mm f/8 High Definition Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon. It is 800mm on your Rebel. If that ain't enough, I don't know what is. These sell in the $100 range. New!

Your next and better option is buying used. The big tele super zooms are goof buys on the used market. Somewhere in the $500 to $600 range.

Last choice, save longer.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

Layochum — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:19:07 GMT

Thanks for the help

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

lly3988 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:46:16 GMT

If you can't afford a telephoto lens at this time, buy a SX40/50/60 HS for the reach.

Anyone of these ultra zoom will satisfy you with a small budget.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

Layochum — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:46:28 GMT

What is everyones thoughts on teleconvertors? I noticed I can get pretty inexpensive ones like Bower and Vivitar and even Tamron has one on the cheaper side. I have always thought of these as a poor substitute but have never tried them.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

kvbarkley — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:58:40 GMT

They are OK:

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/tc3.html

They certainly get you the most bang for the buck. I had pretty good luck with the Tamron. I would not trust Vivitar or Bower, though.

If you find the 75-300 acceptable, they should be fine.

Re: Telephoto glass for wildlife

ebiggs1 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:08:57 GMT

"What is everyones thoughts on teleconvertors?"

I don't like tele converters. But I admit there are a few, very few, lenses that handle them really well. The Canon 1.4x on a ef 70-200mm f2.8L for instance. Works well.

I have maybe six or sever converters and I have had another six or seven in the past. Don't like'em. I have the Tamron and the Sigma and if you must buy one that is not a Canon brand get one of them. Then only the 1.4x versions. Never the 2x.

The best third world converter is probably the Kenko 1.4x.

Don't waste money on the off brands, Bower or Vivitar.