Hi mglotspeich,
I agree 100% with ebiggs1 "best lens for us consumer grade bird photographers, is the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens. I would not even look at any other lens. IMHO, 400mm is the very shortest FL for birds so than makes the 100mm to 300mm wasted money. The only other solution is to get closer and some times that is not possible. If you don't have enough FL or can get close to a tiny bird if will remain a tiny bird in your photos.
EB".. I started with a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens, and that's because the Canon RF200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM lens wasn't around and when it did come out it sold like tequila and tacos and nowhere to be found. Canon and all retailers were sold out and everyone was on a waiting list. Rick, shadowsports, and I were both on those lists and got ours at the same time. We waited and waited, and in the meantime, we used our Sigmam150-600mm. However, when we got that RF200-800mm, it was well worth the wait. What a game changer! It is the best thing next to using a very, very expensive prime lens. The RF200-800mm lens with a canon 1.4x will give a whopping 280mm-1120mm. For birds and wildlife, one needs reach for shy wildlife and skittish subjects. The Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary is a solid performer, for bird and wildlife photography. Especially if you're looking for reach and versatility, without braking the bank. It's a favorite among wildlife shooters. However, at this time you can only get it in a EF version so you'll also need a EF-RF converter so you would be saving only a couple hundred dollars, so I would wait, save my money for the RF200-800mm. Sigma is supposed to come out with an RF version soon, but it will probably be a bit more expensive than the EF.
Used a Canon RF200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM lens @ 800mm
Sumatran Tiger taken with a Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3mm Contemporary lens.
Sumatran Tiger Hutan Taken with a Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary Handheld
Cheers,
Joe
Ancora Imparo
"A good photograph is knowing where to stand."
--- Ansel Adams >
"You don’t take a photograph, you make it."
--- Ansel Adams
