High-power telephoto lens for Rebel T6i T7i

[RainyNight]

I was just wondering if anyone can please recommend a high-powered telephoto zoom lens that is compatible with the EOS Rebel T7i

I'm looking for something 400mm or higher for photographing the moon.

If possible I'm hoping to find one for under $500 but I know that might not be realistic.

Thanks for any help!

[Waddizzle]

TRIPODS and HEADS:

I prefer tripods without a center column, like how most video tripods are made.  Many birders use gimbal mounts, which are large and heavy.  Using a gimbal tends to test the stability of a tripod.  A raised center column only decreases the stability of a tripod.  Because of their size, gimbal heads tend to cost a few hundred dollars, which makes them cost prohibitive to most consumers and photo enthusiasts.

Ball heads are more compact than a gimbal, which makes them the most popular type of tripod head sold.  Ball heads are great for stills, and simple horizontal pans.  Ball heads are not so great for panning AND tilting, like would tracking a bird in flight.  No wonder so many folks prefer to hand hold the lens compared to using their tripod with a ball head.  Don't get wrong, though.  I prefer a ball head under most general shooting scenarios.  They are faster to setup than a gimbal.

Another type of tripod head design are tilt heads and pan/tilt heads.  I described a tilt head in the previous post.  A pan/tilt head adds horizontal panning.  Most video heads are pan/tilt designs, but they can have limited range when it comes to tilting.  They are frequently limited by how much they can tilt backwards to point up, usually around 60 degrees or so.  But, they are able to tilt forward much further, frequently to a full 90 degrees.  I use my pan/tilt on a tripod that i do not plan to move, like when I shoot the rare video.

Again, I like tripods without a center column.  Nothing beats the convenience and speed of setup than a center column.  But, your tripod is less stable with the center column raised.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on a couple of Benro Combination Series aluminum tripods before they were discontinued a couple of years ago.  A similar carbon fiber tripod that is available today would be the Induro Grand Series.

I still have a couple of "starter" tripods with center column that I still use on occasion.  They have a smaller footprint than my tripods that lack center columns.  They are great for macro shots.

[ebiggs1]

"I use a Tamron 150-600mm (version 1) and have had really good luck with it."

Yes you have!  Nice shot.

 I hand hold my big Sigma S on a 1 D Mk IV so I know it is possible.  I also have the C version and I agree it is much easier.  You can hold longer with it.  I own the Tamron, too.  I think they are too close to call a winner.

[RainyNight]

@kvbarkley - Thank you for the clarification and yes I suppose I meant 400mm actual now that I understand. Great shot of the moon too!

@StaNH - Thanks for sharing the amazing example of what you can do with the Tamron 150-600mm!

I most definitely do not have the steady hand it would require to make those shots, so...

@Waddizzle - Thanks for your input regarding tripods - I really have no idea where to begin and I'm not in a position to afford the "real gear" yet, so based on what you wrote and some searching I did, I'm guessing I *might* be able to pull off $80 ballpark for a "hobbyist" level tripod that will hold my Rebel T7i with something like the Tamron 150-600mm on it.

All of you - thank you so much for taking the time to post your feedback here. I'm sure you encounter your fair share of noobs like me who have caught the fever to become a better photographer and want to take the kind of shots we have in our heads, and it must be hard to want to answer our rookie questions sometimes. I really appreciate it very much.

My Rebel T7i was supposed to be here days ago and was lost in processing or shipping, so after some rigamoraul with customer service reps the tracking shows arrival today. So excited to begin learning!

[RainyNight]

@ebiggs1 - Thanks again for your previous advice, and I have another question if you don't mind - if you were going to do a mostly night sky & moon shoot, would you prefer to use the Canon EF 400mm or the Tamron 600mm or the Sigma 600mm?

[ebiggs1]

IMHO, the ef 400mm f5.6L is a tad bit too short for Moon shots although it can be done.  It is a wonderful lens and must be considered as a whole package.  It is light which makes it a dream to use. It is super sharp.  It does not have IS but that doesn't bother me at all.  There was time when none of my teles had IS.  We did OK, imagine that?  If some one said the ef 400mm f5.6L is the only tele you can own, I would still be happy.

On the 150-600mm twins, I think they are too close to call a winner.  Cook's choice!  The Tamron has some weather sealing the Sigma doesn't.  Make a difference to you?

[Waddizzle]

W

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@RainyNight wrote:

@Waddizzle - Thanks for your input regarding tripods - I really have no idea where to begin and I'm not in a position to afford the "real gear" yet, so based on what you wrote and some searching I did, I'm guessing I *might* be able to pull off $80 ballpark for a "hobbyist" level tripod that will hold my Rebel T7i with something like the Tamron 150-600mm on it.

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Normally, a "hobbyist level" tripod that lists for fifty to hundred dollars would work with a Rebel Series and the kit lenses.  Just as long as it is not plastic.  But, I don't think a budget is likely to work well with a heavier lens like th 150-600mm lenses.

If you're going to spend the money for a 150-600, give it a quality tripod.  You will only wind up buying a better one down the road, after you figure why the budget tripod was so inexpensive.  Most are suitable for point and shoot camera, not DSLRs, and not suitable for heavy lens.

Instead of buying a cheap tripod, buy a protective CLEAR filter for the lens, instead.  I recommend a B+W XS-Pro Clear MRC-Nano 007 Filter.  I have found UV filters not to be very useful shooting sports and wildlife.  Software can clean up skies, and i don't take many photographs trying to see below the surface of a lake.

[ebiggs1]

Not trying to talk you out of buying a tripod, however................

If you choose the ef 400mm f5.6L you may not need a tripod.   I know several guys that use that lens and do not own a tripod.  Yes, it is that light.  It is a dream to handhold.  Sans, tripod, give a monopod a look.

"I have found UV filters not to be very useful shooting sports and wildlife.  Software can clean up skies, and i don't take many photographs trying to see below the surface of a lake."

I have no idea what that means?  UV filters work as well as any protecto filter for sports and/or wildlife.  I don't think they show what's under a lake.  At least I never heard of it before!

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

Not trying to talk you out of buying a tripod, however................

If you choose the ef 400mm f5.6L you may not need a tripod.   I know several guys that use that lens and do not own a tripod.  Yes, it is that light.  It is a dream to handhold.  Sans, tripod, give a monopod a look.

"I have found UV filters not to be very useful shooting sports and wildlife.  Software can clean up skies, and i don't take many photographs trying to see below the surface of a lake."

I have no idea what that means?  UV filters work as well as any protecto filter for sports and/or wildlife.  I don't think they show what's under a lake.  At least I never heard of it before!

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Oops. I had meant to write "... found UV and CPL filters not to be ...". Phone rang in the middle of typing a reply.

I have stopped using UV and CPL filters on my super telephoto.  They are useless for the vast majority of shooting scenarios when I am using the lens.  I get sharper photos with a Clear filter.  My EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM is much sharper without a UV or CPL filter.  All I use is a Clear filter on all of my lenses now.  Much sharper photos.

[Waddizzle]

Ernie, also suggested a monopod.  That's good idea for using a super telephoto like a 150-600mm lens.  You can get a quality setup is you wait and look for sales.  I like to shop online at B&H Photo Video.  

You can get a quality monopod and head for half the price of a quality tripod, but it would still exceed your budget.  I recommend buying a protective filter, right out of the gate when you buy the lens.

[ebiggs1]

" Phone rang in the middle of typing a reply."

Hmmm...  Explains a lot !