What zoom to buy?

[Norm53]

I put up a bird feed at the edge of a woods about 80 feet from my lunch table behind a french door. My Canon EOS Rebel T3i with EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6 will not bring into focus the birds, large and small.

What lens do I need to buy that will do the job? Cost is no object.

Thanks, Norm

[Norm53]

Never claimed to be anyone else. What's the point of the array if it doesn't solve my lense problem?

Norm

[Norm53]

You: There is really only two options for you in lenses right now. One is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.  And two is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Canon.  Both are a little under $1100 bucks.

Me: Beautiful shots. Dont want to move outside. Best I select one of the above if I don't  receive any better advice in the meantime.

Norm

[Norm53]

"There is really only two options for you in lenses right now. One is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.  And two is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Canon.  Both are a little under $1100 bucks."

Ratings were the same (4.7) at google. Pros: Basically, unbeatable for the price. Cons: heavy. Both price at $879 online. Everyone here agreed that either would work as well with my Canon T3i?

Thanks to all posters for their valuable help.

Norm

[ebiggs1]

"Both price at $879 online."

There is something wrong!  Do not buy that lens at that price.  It needs to be further scrutinized because something is wrong.

The two lenses mentioned are so close to each other they could be brothers.  Your choice.

Take whatever ratings and reviews you read with a grain of salt.  Neither of these lenses is heavy.  Unless you are comparing them to a kit lens or a tiny 50mm prime.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Canon EF lens is heavy.  Maybe you read a review of it by mistake.  It is a far better, higher quality lens that either of the afore mentioned lenses.  But it is $2000.

I have all these three lenses.  Well I did but I sold the C model Sigma in prefference of the S model.

This is my set up.

 It is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens mounted on a 1D Mk IV body.  My tripod is a Manfrotto 3046.  A good tripod is absolutely a necessity.

Good luck and don't buy that cheaply priced lens with out checking it out.

[Norm53]

"Good luck and don't buy that cheaply priced lens with out checking it out."

I'll take your seasoned advice and buy at B&H for $200 more to be sure I'm not stuck with a lemon.

One final question: Most of the specs are identical for both cameras, but Sigma has Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22 and Tamron has Aperture Range: f/5 to f/40. Do these differences have any practical value considering my setup: 80 feet away at a lunch table behind a french door? (Can't use a tripod because it limits my shooting flexibility and I don't want to move closer outside.) IOW, knowing nothing about how these focal numbers relate to resolution or magnification, if I leave them on camera default, will my shots be of maximum quality?

Norm

[RobertTheFat]

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@Norm53 wrote:

"Good luck and don't buy that cheaply priced lens with out checking it out."

I'll take your seasoned advice and buy at B&H for $200 more to be sure I'm not stuck with a lemon.

One final question: Most of the specs are identical for both cameras, but Sigma has Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22 and Tamron has Aperture Range: f/5 to f/40. Do these differences have any practical value considering my setup: 80 feet away at a lunch table behind a french door? (Can't use a tripod because it limits my shooting flexibility and I don't want to move closer outside.) IOW, knowing nothing about how these focal numbers relate to resolution or magnification, if I leave them on camera default, will my shots be of maximum quality?

Norm

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There is no practical value in the higher f-number. Remember that it's the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the aperture. So the higher the f-number, the less light gets in and the longer the exposure required. Without a tripod, you'd never be able to get anywhere close to f/40.

[Norm53]

Thanks for the education. I infer from it that because the camera will be hand-held, then the smallest f-no. is best. I just will have to remember to use the camera in full light, not twilight.

Norm

[ebiggs1]

"...  then the smallest f-no. is best."

Not necessarily.  The best f-stop is usually one or two down from wide open.  Example, the 150-600mm from either company has a max f-ratio of f5.  I have found the best IQ for either is f8.  And then you must realize the f-ratio changes as you zoom.  So this will only be possible (f5) at a 150mm focal length.  At 600mm the max if f6.3, however, f8 still seems to be very good.

A good strategy is to use the camera's Av mode and set it to f8.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens has much better center IQ than either of the other two.  Not to mention quicker AF.  It can be used at f5 but it is better at f8, too.  It is just not that much better then the other two when all are set to f8.

Warning: The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens is very heavy.  It is a tripod or monopod only lens.  Unless you are a pro weight lifter.  And if you weren't you will be after using this lens hand held for any length of time.

[ebiggs1]

Another option that was glossed over is the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens.  Yes it is only 300mm.  Add to the fact I don't like tele converters but in certain cases they work.  This is one where it works.  The Canon 2x tele converter and EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Lens combine to make a 600mm f8 lens with IS !  This combo is very good.  The only other tele combo I ever recommend is with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens but then only with the Canon 1.4x, yields a 98-280, f4 lens.

But it is way too short for birding.

The Canon  EF 300mm f/4L IS USM is a fantastic lens by itself.  Very sharp and quick AF.  Everybody raves about the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens and how sharp it is but most over look the 300mm, which is better.  Plus the 300mm gives you IS and the 400mm doesn't. The EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens doesn't handle tele converters very well. So, if you must limit it to the 1.4x version.  Remember no IS with that combo!

[Norm53]

"At 600mm the max is f6.3, however, f8 still seems to be very good. A good strategy is to use the camera's Av mode and set it to f8."

Just learned from wiki that the f-no. is used to control the depth of field, the larger the number, the less fuzziness in the background and foreground. I'll start with Av @ f8, as you suggest, and then play around with it later to see what results I get.

Norm

Never underestimate a squirrel's determination.