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.

[RobertTheFat]

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@lurechunker wrote:

Maybe a 1.4 X lll extender?

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Extenders, even good ones like the 1.4X III, can be tricky. They work better with some lenses than with others, so you have to read the specs carefully. And because an extender costs you aperture value, it can affect your lens's ability to autofocus. My advice would be to not get into extenders while you're still asking newbie questions.

[ebiggs1]

"Maybe a 1.4 X lll extender?"

Maybe NOT.  

[lurechunker]

I'm getting good shots of doves, woodpeckers, painted buntings, cardinals and blue jays with my Canon 100-400. I'd like to reach out for egrets, hawks, etc. at longer ranges. What about the Tamron 150-600 G2? Is there a similar prime lens in the same price range? I appreciate your help.

[ebiggs1]

"What about the Tamron 150-600 G2? Is there a similar prime lens in the same price range?"

If you are asking if there a 600mm prime, the answer is, no.  The big Tamron zoom is a great lens.  The Gen 2 is even better than the first model.  There is another zoom that is pretty much the same lens from Sigma. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens.  Also a great lens.  Plus, if you have to have the top of the mark the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens.  It is just a tad better then either of the first mentioned zooms.  It is heavy and it is expensive.  It is hard to hand hold.  I love it.  I use it all the time.  I have the others so I can personally recommend any one of them from personal and extensive use.

If you are looking for a top notch bargain, take a look at the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens.  It has been discontinued so it is a used only proposition.  If you find a good one, it will be very good.  I have had three of them.  The first two were not good but the third one is great.  It is light and easy to use.  Easily hand holdable.  Best of all they are cheap to buy.

Did you say you had version 2 of the ef 100-400mil?  If so it is probably right below the big Siggy S in IQ but maybe slightly better than all the others.  If you have version 1 of the 100-400, all of these zooms will have better IQ.  But when you come right down to it, you will need a post editor to reveal the slight differences.  You being the determining factor, more or less.

[lurechunker]

The hood (ET-83D) for my 100-400 L ll lens has a slide open window. What is the purpose of the window? Should I leave it open? Thanks to all who have helped.

[jrhoffman75]

Its an access port so you could rotate a circular polarizer with the hood on.

Page 1 of the manual:

[lurechunker]

I am planning the Sig 150-600 sports lens. Should I also buy the Benro gimbal head? Is it compatible with my Mefoto globetrotter carbon fiber tripod? Thanks.

[ebiggs1]

The Benro gimbal head is OK but I don't have the tripod you are asking about.  The lens/camera combo is heavy and requires real heavy duty support. This is what I use;

It is a 3046 with a 501 head.  Otherwise I shoot it hand held!

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
I am planning the Sig 150-600 sports lens. Should I also buy the Benro gimbal head? Is it compatible with my Mefoto globetrotter carbon fiber tripod? Thanks.

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I don't think that tripod is big or robust enough.  The legs are too short, and the center column can extend too far.  With a big lens like that, you really don't want to raise the the center column very high, at all.  Raising a center column reduces the load capacity, and destabilizes the entire tripod.  

Buy a tripod that''s big enough to use when the center column is in its' lowest position.  I use tripods without center columns.  Ernie's setup has pretty good height with the center column fully lowered.  Most tripods do not.  

There are advantages and disadvantages to going carbon fiber.  The obvious advantages are less weight to carry around, and reduced chance of rust.  The disadvantages are less stability caused by the lighter weight in the legs, which is exacerbated by raising the center column.  

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
The hood (ET-83D) for my 100-400 L ll lens has a slide open window. What is the purpose of the window? Should I leave it open? Thanks to all who have helped.

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That little door in the hood is there so that you can turn a CP filter.  You can mount the hood so that the door is either at the top, or at the bottom positions.