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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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"I am old and dumb. Abe and I did our homework together ..."

Show off !   Me and George W. had to use a bird feather and parchment which we had to make.  Anyway might I suggest you look into Lightroom by Adobe.  It is similar to the free DPP4 but is well worth the cost. If you are seriously delving into this new hobby you will want a more robust post editor.  Great photos are made in post, not in the camera.

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He's right..

But, I would suggest cutting your teeth on DPP first, until you can get acclimated with post processing.  Lightroom is far more complicated than DPP.  When you feel more comfortable with the techniques, and if decide to buy LR, you can always go back process your old files.  

You may also want to look into image editing software, too.  Photoshop Elements is available, if you don't want a subscription. There are also freeware applications, too, like GIMP.  PaintDotNet is more sophisticated than MS Pain, but nowhere near as complex as GIMP.

[lurechunker]

Just got eight shots of a male cardinal. May need a longer lens. I'll write to Santa. LOL

[ebiggs1]

One word, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon.  Well maybe it is more than just one word.

Reality.  Birds are small. You need extreme focal length or you can get closer.  One or both.  There is an old photographer's saying, "The more focal length, the better."

[RobertTheFat]

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@lurechunker wrote:
Just got eight shots of a male cardinal. May need a longer lens. I'll write to Santa. LOL

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He may not mind posing for you closely enough for your current lens. Cardinals aren't as fazed by humans as some birds are. My daughter once had a cardinal couple build a nest in a bush right outside her kitchen window (in a fairly densely settled suburb of Philadelphia).

[lurechunker]

Maybe a 1.4 X lll extender?

[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.