EOS M6 Mark II - Lens recommendations for Wildlife

[Jinxie]

Looking to buy a new lens for my EOS M6 Mark 2 camera that I have had for 2 years now. I am really getting into wildlife photography. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which one would be the best to buy? I photography a lot of foxes, waterfowl, and birds at the moment. 

I mainly uses these photos as references for my wildlife artwork. 

Appreciate any insight!

Thank you!

[Jinxie]

Took this picture for a photography class then used it to create an oil painting for another class. Took a bit to find the picture. The finch picture is on my computer which I will have to find tomorrow in Lightroom.

[ebiggs1]

"Neither provides the stellar build and optical quality of a Canon "great white" prime ..."

One of the very few topics I disagree with Rodger on. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens is every bit as well made as the Canon big white lenses. As well as the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. IQ isn't in question since Canon did not see fit to make a super zoom in the 150-600mm category. A mistake as I see it on Canon's part but that's history now.  I also own both Sigma's and a Canon big white lens. All used for years now.

The Sigma C is plastic and, yes, very much below the quality of the Canon super primes. However for the average armature photographer they are fine. 

That said if I were buying today and did not have my big Siggy S, I would but the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Canon EF. It is better built with some weather sealing and perhaps a tad bit better IQ. Just a tad bit better.

I either have or have had all the versions (I think around six different models) of the super zooms from Sigma and Tamron. To clarify, I would go for the Sigma C over the Tamron non-G2 model every time. But the Tamron G2 is the better lens right now. Just a tad bit better, IMHO as always.

[ebiggs1]

"Took this picture for a photography class then used it to create an oil painting for another class."

I did some work like that for several of the local community colleges' art classes a few years back. You don't need a super high quality zoom lens for that work. You might be well satisfied with a lesser lele lens and save a few bucks. Check out the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens at half the cost of a super zoom Sigma or Tamron. It should pare well on your M62.

[Jinxie]

My focus is really foxes. Unfortunately, I cannot get close enough with my current lens setup. The spotting scope works okay but I would like to be able to move around and not have to move the whole setup. The deers don’t seem to be that bothered by me. They seem to have gotten use to me and will come within 6 feet of me even with their young. But the fox will not let me closer than about 20 feet without telling me off or taking off for the backside of the neighbor farm house/tree line. I would like to get my own pictures instead of using ones from unsplash or asking other photographers if I may use their images to create artwork from. I eventually do want to move to using the images to create the photos onto metal etchings. But that is a little down the line. I think eventual I will be moving to a different camera base. My husband bought this camera for me for my photography classes I was taking in college because it was very light weight, had overall good reviews, and he thought it was a good overall camera for the purpose I would be using it for. I do not think that he thought that I would ever want to take photography more serious that a hobby and taking photos on our trips. 

[Tronhard]

Definitely, given the information on the distance to your subjects, I would agree with Ernie about considering the EF 70-300 IS USM MkII.   It should be much lighter, less bulky and significantly cheaper than either of the lenses I and others had considered - as we had expected that you would be shooting at much greater distances.

[Jinxie]

I definitely want to be shooting at much greater distance but still be able to get close looking pictures. I also do plan on buying the Canon EF 70-300mm. I was looking at that one too. Especially for my what I like to do around the trail hikes. 

I appreciate everyone’s information and it definitely as given me a lot to look into before buying my next lens for my camera!

I think I might rent the the Canon 70-300mm and the Sigma 150-600mm and see which one is going to work better for what I am trying to do for right now. As, I grow into what I want later, I can always move up in lens as my art/photography takes off. 

😊

[Tronhard]

I think renting before you buy is a great idea.  Note, however, that it takes a while to get used to the characteristics of a lens, especially of a type you do not normally operate.

[ebiggs1]

I would definitely try one of the big 150600mm super zooms before you buy one. The M6 Mk II is, although it will work, not the best fit for a big lens like the 150-600mm zooms. The smaller ef 70-300mm will be a lot more friendly in your hand. When you go to replace your M6 keep in mind what lenses you want to use. The lens is far and I mean far an way the biggest part of the photo making job. The camera is merely a glorified storage box.

Either one of the big 150-600mm super zooms will work on a new R series mirrorless camera. Unfortunately far away and small subjects require big and heavy lenses. Canon has a series of long focal length R series lenses that are easy to handle but IMHO, they are too slow for most tele wildlife work.