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:
I took your advice and ordered a 80D and a 18 x 200 IS from the refurb store. Already looking at a longer lens. They have a 75x300 that does not have IS. Thoughts?

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18 x 200?? Is that a typo?

[lurechunker]

I ordered the 80D and the EF-S 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS.

[ebiggs1]

"They have a 75x300 that does not have IS."       

 "Thoughts?"   Yes I do.  Surprise!        No, don't do it.  

IMHO, return the 18-200.  Don't even take it out of the box.  

[ebiggs1]

"I ordered the 80D and the EF-S 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS."

Save your money.  If a zoom lens is what you really want go for either the Sigma 150-600mm C or the Tamron 150-600mm.  Even if you have to buy a used lens, do it.

Top choice is still the ef 400mm f5.6L, prime lens.  There may be a refurb, check it out.

[lurechunker]

I canceled the order. The kit can include the EF-S 18 -135 IS or the 18-55. Which? I can order a long lens later.

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
I canceled the order. The kit can include the EF-S 18 -135 IS or the 18-55. Which? I can order a long lens later.

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 Both lenses will give you great photos.  I say go for the 18-55mm because it will work better with the built-in flash.  The larger lens is likely to cast a flash shadow when extended.  I know it does with a T5, which is slightly smaller than an 80D.  Besides, the 18-55mm camera kit is significantly less expensive.  You can order one of the 55-250mm lenses to get started on a backyard feeder.

[jrhoffman75]

Agree with Waddizzle. 18-55 and 55-250 makes a nice two lens kit as a starter. Make sure both are STM versions.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"I ordered the 80D and the EF-S 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6 IS."

Save your money.  If a zoom lens is what you really want go for either the Sigma 150-600mm C or the Tamron 150-600mm.  Even if you have to buy a used lens, do it.

Top choice is still the ef 400mm f5.6L, prime lens.  There may be a refurb, check it out.

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That's good lens advice, although costly.  You really need at least 300mm to 400mm to photograph smaller birds, even at the distances you're talking about.  

Because of the 24MP resolution in the 80D, I think that you can get away with one of the 55-250 lenses, just to get started.  They are not a huge investment.  You will want other accessories, too, like a carrying bag and a quality tripod.  

Mounting the camera on a tripod, and aiming it at the feeder will make your job easier.  You can take photos without a lot of motion on your part, which can frighten away small birds.  The 80D has a fairly decent frame rate for continuous shooting, too.

[lurechunker]

I reordered the 80D with 18-55. I got a very helpful sales rep. I have received notifications of private messages but have not been able to get the messages. Need help.

John

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"They have a 75x300 that does not have IS."       

 "Thoughts?"   Yes I do.  Surprise!        No, don't do it.  

IMHO, return the 18-200.  Don't even take it out of the box.  

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The ratio of the longest focal length to the shortest focal length, 200:18, or roughly 10:1, is called the zoom ratio.  A prime lens is optimized to perform at a specific focal length.  A zoom lens uses the same optical elements over a range of focal lengths.  The wider that range of focal lengths, or the higher the zoom ratio, then the less the lens elements can be optimized for a specific focal length.

It used to be a rule that zoom lenses were always inferior to prime lenses.  Today's lens production technologies has dramatically improved the accuracy of zoom lenses compared to primes.  However, the laws of physics will always prevail.  In order to make a zoom lens, then the lens elements cannot be optimized for one focal length.  The design trade-offs will likely reduce image quality, like introducing chromatic distortions at the extreme zoom settings.

Once you exceed zoom ratios of 3:1, or 4:1, then the design compromises made to the internal lens elements begin to degrade the image quality to a point that can be noticeably less than a prime lens.  Again, the 18-200mm zoom is arguably a 10:1 zoom ratio.  If image quality is most important to you, then this may not be the lens for you.