New member needs help

[lurechunker]

I am new to the forum and asking for help. Our granddaughter plays basketball and I would like to photograph her. I kayak and would like to photograph birds. Is the EOS 760D the camera for me? Other? What lens or lenses? How can I protect my equipment form damage from saltwater? Thank you.

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

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@lurechunker wrote:
My 80D with 18-55 from Canon store will arrive tomorrow. I think I made a mistake by not getting the 28-135. Should I leave the 18-55 in the box and send it back? I'd like to start with an "all-round" lens and one long enough for back yard birds.

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Do you mean 18-135, instead of 28-135?  The 18-135 lenses are pretty good.  BUT, they will likely cast a shadow when you try to use the flash.  I know that older 18-135mm lenses cast a major shadow on a T5, so I would expect a shadow on an 80D.  The 18-55mm lens has a 35mm equivalent of 29-88mm, which is pretty close to 24-70mm that is very popular for use with full frame camera bodies.

The  STM version of the 18-55mm is a really good lens.  I would hang on to it.  I can guarantee you that whatever plans you have for using the camera, you will find new scenarios to use it.  I would keep the 18-55mm, and pass on buying a 18-135, so that you can budget more money towards your birding lens.  If you can afford to do all of the above, then by all means, buy all of the lenses you want.

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
I have decided on the 80D. Now I need to choose lenses (3?) and find the best deal.

John

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One VERY high quality lens is better than buying more than one (3?) good lens.  Meanwhile, there are many enthusiast oriented lenses, which are not professional grade, that offer image quality that nearly rivals the professional lenses.  What separates the professional lenses from the rest of the field is build quality, and other functional features like weather sealing and more advanced Image Stabilization.  

While the refurbished store is a great place to get a good deal on some of Canon's better camera bodies, it is a little tougher finding deals on their professional grade "L" series of lenses.  Why?  Because the most coveted lenses seem to rarely be in stock, and sell out in a couple of hours when they are.

What lens did you get with the 80D?  Let's start there.  There is nothing wrong with the starter lenses that come with the 80D.  Their only real drawback is their aperture sizes, which limits your ability to use them in low light situations.  Fortunately, the 80D has rather good low light performance, much better than what the specifications might suggest.

[jrhoffman75]

What is your budget?  Since your interest is birding maybe start with 18-55mm STM kit lens and a 70-200 f/2.8L IS. 

As budget allows then get the 400mm f/5.6. 

[ebiggs1]

"...start with 18-55mm STM kit lens and a 70-200 f/2.8L IS."

Except they almost give the 18-55mil away, I would waste neither time nor money on it.  If you are truly into this you will replace it soon besides.

The 70-200 f2.8, despite it being one of the best lenses ever, made in the entire world, it isn't a bird lens.  Unless you can get very close.  The a fore mentioned ef 400mm f5.6L is the one you want for birding.  300mm is pretty much minimum for birds and I mean minimum. 400mil to 600mm are better.  Much better!

To start you never ending journey into the fabulous world of photography get the 80D along with the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens and Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens.  Yeah, two lenses to start.  Add the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens as you progress.

[jrhoffman75]

Except if you're not birding you max out at 55mm. The 200mm image can always be cropped. Starting out sometimes means compromises. 

You are correct, the 18-55 is almost a disposable lens. But it is decent in good light, can be sold, and frees up resources to put into a one-time purchase lens. 

[lurechunker]

Our bird feeder is 20 meters away. How about starting with a EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS?

[ebiggs1]

"How about starting with a EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS?"

Too far.  Way too far!  That will even tax the ef 400mil.  Or feeder is 8 or 10 meters and I use a 600mm zoom.

[jrhoffman75]

The EF-S 18-135 is a good all around lens. If you go with that I'd also spend the $180 for a refurbished 55-250 STM. See post 44 above to see a screenshot of that lens. 

ebiggs1 has excellent recommendations if cost is not an issue. Only you can decide what works for your wallet. 

Another factor to consider is what you are going to do with your images. 40x60 wall hangings vs digital sharing present two entirely different quality demands. 

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
Our bird feeder is 20 meters away. How about starting with a EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS?

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That is a great lens for walking around like a tourist.  Not very good for shooting birds, not unless you're in a zoo and the birds are in a cage that's 10 feet away.  

The image quality of the 18-55mm STM kit lens that comes in some 80D camera kits is a great lens, too.  I would go for the 18-55 camera kit over the 18-135 len because the larger lens WILL cast a shadow when used with the built-in flash.  They really do practically give away the 18-55mm lens with the 80D, while the 18-135 kit costs significantly more.  

The higher cost of the 80D with 18-135mm lens kit will cut into your budget for a birder lens, and accessories like a quality tripod.  You will want a quality tripod to take pictures of your feeder.  I think you will need at least 300mm of focal length, although,

I think that you can get into the hobby just fine with the aforementioned EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens.  Is it a state of the art lens?  No.  Does it take sharp photos?  Yes.  Will you learn about birding?  Most certainly, you will.  Will it be fun?  I hope so.  Just remember that it takes patience.  Birding reminds me a whole lot of fishing.

If a feeder doesn't work, because it attracts squirrels, then a bird bath is the next best thing, maybe better.   

[RobertTheFat]

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lurechunker wrote:
Our bird feeder is 20 meters away. How about starting with a EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS?

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It doesn't matter where the feeder is; it matters where you are. When you have a feeder, the object isn't to hide from the birds; it's to hang around the feeder and get the birds used to seeing you there and have them conclude that you're not a threat. Then you can take as many pictures as you like with pretty much any lens with a modicum of telephoto range. Where you need the really long lenses is for birds of prey. They usually don't frequent feeders, and they tend to stay up pretty high while hunting small animals or deciding to dive for a fish. And they move fast (otherwise the food gets away), so you need a camera that can track that motion.

[ebiggs1]

"Then you can take as many pictures as you like with pretty much any lens ..."

You don't do any bird photos do you Robert?  What about the birds that are traveling through? The migrants?  Why don't you give it a try, "with a modicum of telephoto", and I will use the suggested 400mil?