Canon or Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 lens on an EOS Rebel XSI - Advice?

[LaneW]

My only camera, coming from the film days, now is a little Rebel XSI kit setup. I want to upgrade to a good telephoto for wildlife, birds, etc and am looking at the Canon and Tamron 70-200 for the fixed aperture and focal length - would probably add a 1.4 converter.

Is it a silly idea to ad an good lens like these to this little camera? Which is recommended?

Thanks

[ebiggs1]

Well there is no doubt it will work.  Whether it is a silly idea is up to you!

I will tell you that a 200mm lens even with a 1.4x tel-con is not enough FL for birds. Particularly for small birds in general.

A better idea would be the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon.  If you like the idea of using a tel-con then you could opt for the very good Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens. It is a littler more expensive but folks tell me it works well. I am not a tel-con fan so I would still opt for the big Tammy.

The nice thing is either of these suggested lenses will travel to a more current camera if/when you decide to go there.

[LaneW]

Hey, thank you!  I will look at those options. I was leaning toward the 50 - 200 just because of the f 2.8 fixed aperture, Thinking I would appreciate the extra light when shooting darker situations. I dont know how concerned I should be about the f/5-6.3 in the Tamron that you mention. I'll look at it.

Another question - does this Rebel XSi have the capabiltly of using the IS capability of any of the Canon lenses and VC in the Tamrons?  Should I really be looking at a little more camera?

[kvbarkley]

IS should work fine. That is the nice thing about the Canon system, IS is up to the lens, so it can be optimised for that particular lens. Then again, it means you have to buy an IS system with each lens. 8^)

The only issue with an XSi is that the battery might not be able to handle the IS and focus on a large lens for very long.

[ebiggs1]

The problem with the 70-200mm zoom is, it doesn't have enough FL for birds.  A small bird will be a small bird in your photos.

A rule of thimb is 300mm minimum for birds. On your Rebel you do get the fact of a tele boost to make the 70-200mm equate to a 320mm lens. But again we are talking "minimum" required. A small bird will still be pretty small in the photo. The only solution for this is to get closer to the bird.  Sounds easy enough but not so much in reality.

So, another option is to add a 1.4x tel-con.  But this isn't without its own issues. It will cost you one stop so that f2.8 lens is now a f4 lens. The AF will slow, too and on a XSi that is not a good thing.

Let's still examine the other lens solutions. First the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens. It 400mm is pretty good. Your crop advantage makes it act like a 640mm lens. Nice! If you add the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, you are in to some serious FL. So, what's the down side? Your 400mm zoom has become a f8 lens and wil suffer from slower AF. Plus this combo is fairly expensive, $1800 for the lens and $400 for the extender.

The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon. Not nearly the build of the Canon. But is offers a native 600mm, 960mm on your Rebel. No f-stop penalty. I think they are selling for $1300.

"...does this Rebel XSi have the capabiltly of using the IS capability of any of the Canon lenses and VC in the Tamrons?"

I have not tried it personally on a XSi but I see no reason why either lens woul dnot work as advertized.  IS/VC is in the lens not the camera. I have ued these type lenses on an XTi and they worked.

"Should I really be looking at a little more camera?"

Yes, of course.  You always want, need, the latest, greatest, don't you? Upgrade your level a but and check out the EOS 80D. It's a great camera. The Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera is around $900.

Let me know what you decide!

[ebiggs1]

"The only issue with an XSi is that the battery might not be able to handle the IS and focus on a large lens for very long."

Not a concern but if it is, a second battery will cure that.

[LaneW]

Thanks for the great info.... big help.  I am looking at both the Tamron and Canon 100 - 400 options mentioned. I guess I'm a little stuck on the idea of the fixed aperture and the f 2.8 speed which is appealing on the 70-200. But then I am also finding that speed is not a critical as it was when I was shooting film. Should I be concerned about f 4.5 - 5.6 for armateur work? 

[ebiggs1]

"Should I be concerned about f 4.5 - 5.6 for armateur work? "

No, not for amateur or professional work. It makes no difference.  It is what it is. Thousands upon thousands of these lenses are in use every day with great success. To make a 500mm or 600mm lens like this in a f2.8 version would be cost prohibited by most of us and be so heavy most of could not carry it.

"...the f 2.8 speed which is appealing on the 70-200."

I think you are missing the main most point here. 200mn is not enough FL for shooting birds unless they are stuffed. It has nothing to do with the faster f2.8 aperture. 

[Waddizzle]

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@LaneW wrote:

Thanks for the great info.... big help.  I am looking at both the Tamron and Canon 100 - 400 options mentioned. I guess I'm a little stuck on the idea of the fixed aperture and the f 2.8 speed which is appealing on the 70-200. But then I am also finding that speed is not a critical as it was when I was shooting film. Should I be concerned about f 4.5 - 5.6 for armateur work? 

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If you want the 70-200, then go for it.  Just be aware that you lose a whole stop of with a 1.4x, and not every extender works with every lens.  Also, using a 1.4x with the Canon 100-400mm will most likely mean that you will lose the ability to autofocus, because the minimum aperture will be stoppped down to f/8.

[RobertTheFat]

One more point: The way to shoot birds with a lens that's too short is to persuade the birds to come closer. Many photographers have succeeded by setting up a bird feeder and waiting for the birds to notice that it's there. Once they get comfortable with the location, they won't mind if you take their pictures.