What EF-series Telephoto Lens Should I Buy for Wildlife and Bird Photography?

[CurtL]

I bought my wife a Cannon Rebel EOS T7 for Christmas last year. She has hinted that she wants a better telephoto lens for wild life/ bird pictures. I did a little reading and I think she needs either a 600 or 800 mm lense. Can I get a suggestion of what lens she needs and what lens I should buy? Thanking you in advance- Christmas is coming!

[Ron888]

I think you guessed right.Bird photographers usually like very long lenses.
If you want to stick with canon lenses the EF100-400mm L II has excellent image quality.
If you want to go longer and don't mind off brand ,i'll add another vote for the Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm lenses.
Sigma have two 150-600mm lenses-
The 'C' (for contemporary) lens is the lower priced option.
The 'S' (for sport) has slightly better optics and some weather sealing but is heavier and higher priced.
Tamron have the 150-600mm 'G2' model which is similar to the cheaper model Sigma (or perhaps slightly better).
There may still be some older 'G1' Tamrons on the shelves so be aware of that.From what i can gather the G1 has very (VERY) slightly less image quality to the G2
All of these lenses are heavy but there's no getting around that.Using them on a tripod/monopod will likely be the norm

*edited to correct EF lens info

[Tronhard]

Hi Curt and welcome to the forum:
As a wildlife photographer, I can only echo the advice of my colleagues that either the Sigma 150-600c or the Tamron 150-600 (G1 or G2).  For the focal range available, they are not heavy, but one does have to have the strength to heft them, or use a monopod.   All of these 3rd-party lenses must be identified as Canon EF mount.  I have had the Sigma 150-600c and still have the 60-600s (which both have similar optics) and they are capable of giving excellent results - the rest is up to the photographer.
80D, Sigma 150-600@ 435mm, f/6.3, 1/250sec, ISO-1000R6II, Sigma 150-600@403mm, f/7.1, 1/80sec, ISO-100

If you are in the US, then KEH.com will be a reliable source for used lenses (to stay within budget) - they rate their gear and offer a warranty.  For example, the Sigma 150-600c: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM C (Contemporary) Lens for Canon EF-Mount {95} with TS-71 Tripod Co...

Amazon has some risk for used gear.

[CurtL]

Trevor

Thank you for your post. - do you know weight wise what are the differences between the 
EF 100-400 and the. Tampon 150-600 G2?

I appreciate your suggestions.

thanks

[ebiggs1]

"I can only echo the advice of my colleagues that either the Sigma 150-600c or the Tamron 150-600 (G1 or G2)."

Any of these lenses even the previous 150-500mm versions are capable of producing nice images. And probably enough to satisfy most armature photographers. So that boils down to which one appeals to you most or perhaps price. You would likely be happy with any of them but from a guy that has every model that has been produced from the older 150-500mm super zooms to the latest 150-600mm models (excluding the latest 60-600mm from Sigma but I have used one) the very best top of the heap is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. If you have to have the best that's it not by much but it's the best one. 

My personal favorite is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens and is the one I use 95% of the time I need a super tele. I never actually bought the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens  although I did get the opportunity to try one, I see no reason or advantage to it. Nobody buys one of these type super zooms to use it at the short end. Even 150mm is not going to be used a lot. You will be on the long side way, way more than on the short side. When Canon finally decided to jump on the bandwagon they realized that and correctly made the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens. And 200mm does make more sense the 60mm or even 150mm.

So there you are want the best of the bunch get the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. 

[ebiggs1]

"The 'S' (for sport) has slightly better optics and some weather sealing but is heavier and higher priced."

Talk about an understatement! The weather sealing of the Sigma S model vs any and all the others isn't even comparable. The SIgma S is as weather sealed as any lens can be. The Sigma C model basically has none. The Tamron G2 has some but nowhere near the Sigma S.

As to better optics the S just might have slightly better optics than the C model but you are going to be in pixel peeper mode to see it. The Tamron G2 dose have very good optics perhaps the best. Any of Tamron's G2 lens lineup that I have used have great optics.

[JamesHarvey]

Get a good used EF100-400m2, & possibly an EF1.4x TC.  You would actually have been better off giving her an R series camera, there are many good zoom & prime teles made for the R series, at multiple price/performance points. 

[Waddizzle]

“ I bought my wife a Cannon Rebel EOS T7 for Christmas last year. She has hinted that she wants a better telephoto lens for wild life/ bird pictures. “

I am going to repeat my previous comment regarding the weight of lenses.  The often repeated suggestions regarding the 150-600mm class of lenses may not be taking into account the end user.  

What is the model number and focal length of the lens she is currently using?  What is the maximum focal length?   

Capturing wildlife photos is a great hobby, but it challenging one.  The T7 is an entry level camera body, which makes the challenges more difficult.  

[ebiggs1]

"The T7 is an entry level camera body, which makes the challenges more difficult."

Yes and this would make it even more "challenging",... "Get a good used EF100-400m2, & possibly an EF1.4x TC."

The ef 100-400mm zoom, OK, the tel-con, no. IMHO, as always.