What would you suggest?

[John Mc]

In July, I'm heading back down to Bude for a week's Holiday. I went last year, Me and My mother in law loved the area soo much we booked for this year too, Same house and everything, Rather excited!

Last year I hired a UWA lens, and to be honest, It wasn't used that much, I was using my kit lens more often then not. So this year, I'm opting for a Canon 17-40 f4 L for a wide angle.

But this year, I want to try and get photo's of people surfing and a fair few photos of birds and animals. So I was thinking of getting a telephoto lens. Im slightly unsure of what to hire. Ive thought of two primes and two zoom's, Primes are canon's 300 f4 is and 400 f5.6. I like the idea of a fixed focal point and not having to zoom in on a subject. And me having to physically get close to it and use field craft(Currently building a Ghillie suit for this purpose).

The zoom's i've looked at are; Sigma/C APO 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM and Canon's 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM. Advantage with these is I wouldn't have to carry much bar the one lens for near enough everything. And the zoom could be an advantage for closer/wider views.

I'm Kinda looking for personal opinions, Previous use etc. I know at the end of the day it's down to me, I'm, just a tad unsure at the moment of what would be better for Wildlife.

Thank's for your help, John

 

[artyman]

The Sigma has the better focal range and pretty much on a par with the Canon for IQ, though it is a bit heavier. I used the Sigma 150-500 for three years for birds and it was a cracking lens. I know Bude well having spent a number of years on holday there as a child. It had changed a bit when I went back a few years ago.

 

[cymruchris]

I'm a bit worried that you only go on holiday with your mother-in-law..

But aside frrom that - do you mind carrying the extra weight on a family holiday?

I had the 100-400 in my hands the other day and I couldn't imagine wandering around with it on holidays so much.. It was a fair old weight...

Whatever you choose - consider the size and weight along with the focal length...

 

[cmonkey]

I shot some surfers last year and the 100-400 L was fine for this on the 7D. In fact having a zoom was ideal because you can change the framing as they come towards you, or frame the shot as you want. I haven't used the Sigma but as others have said, it's quite heavy.

Definitely get a monopod and a sturdy head that will take the weight.

 

[John Mc]

Yeah, Reading that back, seems a tad odd, I go on holiday with my fiancee's family as my parents dont usually organise a holiday.

I've considered a longer lens as I dont plan to use it daily, Just for specific day trips. And that on an evening I generally go to the beach and watch the surfers and walk round to the canal and watch the otter's but didnt get many good shots as I wasn't close to them(only had a 105mm as the longest lens I owned)

Weights not to much of a problem, As im used to carting around heavy kit on walks and my bag these days is much better then last years shoulder bag. That being said, It would be left in the house or car when its not needed.