Wildlife lens

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wildsam90

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Sam
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Hi, ive came her for help as my knowledge on cameras is pretty rubbish!
I currently have a 1000D with 18-55 , 50 , 70 - 250mm but i always find my self no where near the wildlife and its realy put me off taking the camera out.
Also thinking of a camera upgrade as the speed of the focus is rather slow i find.

I was hoping if any one could just give me some general advise the best way about it,

money is pretty limited but my motorbike is on ebay this week ;)
lens - £400/600
Camera - 500+ (depending on price and cash flow+ depending when my 1000D finishs on finance)
2nd hand iteams aint a problem for me either

Any tips or advise i will be very greatful of!
Thanks for reading
 
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Hi Sam

I use Nikon and have a SIGMA 150-500 which they do in a fit for both Nikon & Canon. It cost me £750.00 new at Christmas.

I took it out to the Farnes with me the other weekend, posted some puffin photos in the Birds section which are probably down on page 2/3 now.

A few more shots in the animals / birds and the reed pictures in landscape here https://picasaweb.google.com/staffitaxi were all taken with it, haven't uploaded my Farnes photos yet.

Its a budget lens but for what I want it for I'm fairly happy. Its v heavy and as someone who prefers to shoot hand held it does give a bit of neck ache and you feel it in your arms the day after. Its not something you could just carry around on the off chance you'd use it but I guess none of the bigger lenses would be. Oh, and its still not enough reach for some shots.
 
I'm not a Canon user but lots of canon people seem to suggest that if you are on a budget the Canon 100-400mm is a good lens for wildlife photography.
 
I have been looking at the SIGMA lens as they seem to fit my buget more,
Had a scan of your photos staffi and im impressed :) Seems you like close ups like i do. Would a Sigma 2x APO Tele Converter be safe with one tho?

Weight is a problem with me as im down the gym most of the week so theres always a somthing acheing!


Psifox- Ive also read this but from the looks of it they come in 2nd hand past 600 pounds :(
 
If I understand correctly what a converter does I wouldn't recommend one with the SIGMA, it only stops down to F5.6/6.3 to start with.

The weight is a problem with me because I don't like going to the gym!! I need the work out off the lens to tone my arms up.
 
dont forget you can also try and get closer :) and maybe use a hide.

although i have loads of pro grear, i always find myself creeping and waiting ..... closer ... wait :)

Some of my best shots were using a 24-70 and a little sneaking around.

Just another cheaper way maybe ...... oh ... dont do it with lions :)
 
Staffi - O right so does it affect the final photo then?
Personly i dont like going either mayb a heavy lens will help me quit haha.

Tokk- The last hide i was in there was a hovering king fisher beside me i had 3 chaps all with white lenses taking plenty of shots and me looking though my eye peice looking at a pin prick in the sky :D

We also have herron nests not far from me but that also is't near the hide,
Reason i thought mayb a coverter could be the easy root,
p.s i dont even get out of the car if theres a lion near :D
 
Look at a used Sigma 50-500 non OS,you should get one for your budget.
 
My advice would be spend the budget on a lens first. Then save up for another body for next year. Glass IMO is the most important first up:)

Try Canon 100-400mm IS a great firs wildlife lens. Prices seam up at the moment but you should get one second hand around £750-800 or less if you keep a close watch on things.

The sigma mentioned abouve should be fine but never used one. It will give you the reach.

Be worned if your like me you will grave bigger and better :D
 
salacalvet said:
My advice would be spend the budget on a lens first. Then save up for another body for next year. Glass IMO is the most important first up:)

I agree, get the longest zoom you can afford first, ( and maybe a x1.4 converter )then you have the reach.

I have bought used from Mifsuds in devon on several occasions their descriptions on condition are very accurate and would buy mint- and exc ++ with confidence from them. Check out their website "use equipment".
Click to expand...
 
If you are serious about using the lens for wildlife then yes you could go for the 100-400, but my guess is that you will be using it at 400 for most of the time. At this focal length you will be working at f5.6. My point is that you might be better going for the 400mm prime. Although it doesn't have IS it has lightning fast autofocus and the IQ is stupendous. You can use a 1.4 converter on it with very little loss of IQ but you won't be able to use AF with it. (This is the same for the 100-400 the 100-400).

2X converters are generally to be steered clear of unless used with a really top quality lens and body.
 
Not gonna lie... But 250mm should be enough to get by with. Being a student I know how it feels to get by with what you've got.

My initial kit started with a 450D and a 100-200mm canon lens from the mid-1990's! That was a slower combination that James may in his panda!!

What is a much cheaper option is working on your fieldcraft. Getting in the know, getting inside the heads of the animals, being aware of what the hell is going on. I still use a 210mm lens for my main wildlife lens, and I get by just fine. From time to time I get my 300mm out but I'd rather be in the thick of it, it's alot more exciting being 30yards from a perched barn owl, than 200yards, and getting a keeper!

Just my 2p's worth :)
 
I'm currently using the 70-200 F4L, 300F4L and the 1.4x converter. With the 1.4x on the 300, that gives me 420mm (technically even more if on a crop body).

I've found that this is a good compromise for most situations and the image quality of the 300 and the 1.4x is still excellent.

I've been looking at options for getting towards 500mm, but you start to hit two problems. First, the price gap between a 400mm prime and 500mm is enormous and secondly you have to remember that unless you've got a 1D-series body, you'll lose autofocus if you go above f/5.6 as your max aperture.

That's what put me off getting the 400mm F4 prime. If I added my 1.4x to that, I could in theory get beyond 500mm, but wouldn't have any autofocus.

I'm still stuck on deciding what to do. The 500mm f4 prime is lovely, but pretty much out of my league.

I'd very much recommend the 70-200 F4L. It's the cheapest L lens out there, and the image quality you get is amazing. Then work up from there. I'd echo what the other posters said about trying to get closer. If you can do it, it makes things much easier!
 
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Sigma 150 - 500 from DigitalREV - £660, two days delivery from Hong Kong. top service.

Cracking lens

Phil
 
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