Rebel T6 Telephoto Options Advice

[EddM]

New to the Community.

Have the Rebel T6 and 3 lens:

• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III, and
• EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6

I would like to do wildlife/bird and othe longer distance photography with a 500mm plus lens.

I am a hobbyist/amateur and really cannot afford the pricey Canon lens in that 500mm range.

Am I better of to buy something like a:

• Canon Extender EF 2x Auto Focus
• Viltrox C-AF 2X Teleplus/Yongnuo YN-2.0X II Teleconverter or similar
• or even the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III Lens and Teleconverter

to use with the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

or

Buy an inexpensive manual focus only 500mm like the:

• Oshiro 500mm f/6.3 (T-Mount with Adaptor)
• Opteka/Bower/Vivitar 500mm f/8 (T-Mount with Adaptor)

I know you get what you pay for and all but would appreciate feedback, thoughts, recommendations.

[ebiggs1]

"I do have a fairly robust tripod with a 20lb capacity rating so should be good if I go that route."

Those lenses are very light.  Maybe even as light or lighter than you 75-300mm zoom.  The tripod will not be the issue.

"Not sure I am going to go with one of those 500mm manual focus."

OK, if that is the case and you go with one of the lenses I suggested the tripod could be an issue.  It will need to be 'robust'.

[EddM]

What is the opinion on the SIGMA 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO

[Waddizzle]

---

@EddM wrote:

What is the opinion on the SIGMA 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO

---

I suppose that mean the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 lens.  It is a pretty good lens.  If you can verify that it is in good condition before you pay for it, then I see no reason not to go for it.  New lenses came with a hood, a tripod foot, and a storage case.

Just be advised that lens has noticeable vignetting, so you photos will need lens correction.  This could be a potential problem because the Canon DPP software does not perform automatic lens correction on the third party lenses.  You would have to dial in lens correction manually.

You can get the best performance out of that lens by setting the aperture to f/8, which helps to reduce vignetting, and also produces sharper images than at f/5 or f/6.3.  Sunny shooting conditions produces the best results, because of the narrow aperture.  It is also a heavy beast of lens, for your T6.  You would need to support the lens, and not allow it hang from the front of the camerra body. 

I used to leave the tripod foot on the lens all the time, so I could use it as a handle to support the lens when shooting, or carrying the lens when walking.  A tripod would be advisable until you can figure out how to shoot with a super telephoto lens.  Aiming will be similar to looking through a drinking straw.

I think you will love it.  I do not know what the used selliing price is now, but they cleared them out two years ago for less than $700 each when it was discontinued.

[ebiggs1]

"What is the opinion on the SIGMA 170 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO

Like said before I have had three of these.  It is a good lens but not a great lens.  The one of three I kept and have now is better than the two I sold.  They were both acceptable but this one is just a tad bit better.  I can totally recommend it as a low cost option for a super zoom.  Keep in mind that the replacements for it from both Sigma and Tamron are better.  But they cost more!

To be clear the part of this lens that let's it down is the leisurely AF.  The IQ is fine. It wouldn't be a first choice for fast sports unless you take certain precautions.  Manual focus any time you want even in AF mode.  It isn't too heavy at about 4 lbs.  Totally hand holdable but on the T6 you are looking at focal length of 240 - 800 mm.  That is serious focal length.  Holding it still will be a challenge.  The OS is also a little tardy.  Build is really good. Better that some other similar lenses.

It is a lens that can make you happy.  Be careful buying used.  Check it out ON YOUR CAMERA. 

[RobertTheFat]

---

@ebiggs1 wrote:

"What is the opinion on the SIGMA 170 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO

Like said before I have had three of these.  It is a good lens but not a great lens.  The one of three I kept and have now is better than the two I sold.  They were both acceptable but this one is just a tad bit better.  I can totally recommend it as a low cost option for a super zoom.  Keep in mind that the replacements for it from both Sigma and Tamron are better.  But they cost more!

To be clear the part of this lens that let's it down is the leisurely AF.  The IQ is fine. It wouldn't be a first choice for fast sports unless you take certain precautions.  Manual focus any time you want even in AF mode.  It isn't too heavy at about 4 lbs.  Totally hand holdable but on the T6 you are looking at focal length of 240 - 800 mm.  That is serious focal length.  Holding it still will be a challenge.  The OS is also a little tardy.  Build is really good. Better that some other similar lenses.

It is a lens that can make you happy.  Be careful buying used.  Check it out ON YOUR CAMERA. 

---

Ernie, I think you and Waddizzle are answering the wrong question. There actually was a Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 lens.

[EddM]

Actually it is listed and shown as  SIGMA 170-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG

See pic.

[ebiggs1]

I have no knowledge of that lens so I am not able to comment.  Never touched one or even seen one. Sorry.

I can vouch for the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens for Canon so if you find a nice one go for it.

[Waddizzle]

I assumed incorrectly.  I have heard of that lens before.  I have never used it before, and I understand that it is an older design from over a decade ago.

As Ernie remarked about the more recent 150-500, there are a few issues with it.  It would be a fair to assume that the 170-500mm is likely to have similar issues, if not worse. 

I got my best results by turning off the Optical Stabilization with the 150-500mm, which solved many of the issues, except for the vignetting, which can be cleaned up in post processing, provided that you shot RAW.  I'm not sure if the 170-500 even has Optical Stabililzation.  

A few minutes of research suggests that the 170-500mm is basically a lens originally designed for film cameras.  Lenses designed for digital sensors have special anti-reflective coatings to minimize reflection off of the image sensor, and its' filters.  This lens was made "digital ready" by giving it the coatings needed for digitial sensors.

I would follow Ernie's advice, and try it out on your camera first.  If you are buying it from eBay or Amazon, then you are taking a risk with your money.  It is a risk that I find unacceptable, but some people do not mind the hassle of trying to return something for a refund.

[EddM]

Ok here's another lens I am looking at:

Tamron 200-500mm SP IF LD DI

Yes it is discontinued but the pricing may be right and in my limited budget.

Anyone know anything?

Thanks again.

Edd

[Waddizzle]

---

@EddM wrote:

Tamron 200-500mm SP IF LD DI

---

I do not know anything about that lens.  Be advised, that more times than not, you get what you paid for.  Because your T6 is an entry level camera, there are probably more disadvantages to using a third party lens, than a canon lens.

What type, or size, of birds are you looking to photograph?

The real trick to getting good photographs being close to the subject.  I shot the above photography with an EF-S 18-135mm lens on a Rebel T5, which was the predecessor to your T6.  The cameras seem identical, minus the Wi-Fi.

If you are just starting out, then there is a learning curve looming in front of you.  I suggest climbing the ladder, and starting out with an EF-S 55-250mm lens from the Canon Online Refurbished Store, and get a one year warranty backed by Canon.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses

.