Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

[mjlamoon]

Can any one help, I am looking for an affordable lens for Wildlife photography for a Canon EOS 50D and possible for a Canon 5DII, mind not yet made up on 5D II as varying reports.

I was thinking of the Canon 100-400 or Sigma APO 150-500mm. Or has any one experience of other lens that would be of use. Cant really afford a Canon prime 500mm!
M

[iGiDK]

What lenses do you currently have?

Reason I'm asking is to see if there would be much overlap in focal ranges if you were to get a long zoom.

The Canon 100-400 is ok, variation in quality at the long end wide open, gets a bit of stick for being a 'dust pump' due to the push pull zoom mechanism (some folk love it, some hate it), old gen IS as well (2 stop I think) so it may be due an upgrade in the next couple of years.

Can personally vouch for the 300mm f/4L IS with 1.4xTC combo

The Canon 400mm f/5.6L is also very highly regarded

I'd take either of these any day over the versatility of a long zoom

[jenufa]

Originally Posted by mjlamoon

Can any one help, I am looking for an affordable lens for Wildlife photography for a Canon EOS 50D and possible for a Canon 5DII, mind not yet made up on 5D II as varying reports.

I was thinking of the Canon 100-400 or Sigma APO 150-500mm. Or has any one experience of other lens that would be of use. Cant really afford a Canon prime 500mm!
M

I have the Canon 100-400 and it does the job.
Its been on safari and many other places shooting wildlife and will go with me to Sri Lanka in January on a 50D.
If you did'nt get the 5D II and saved your pennies you would be able to get the Canon 500mm

[mjlamoon]

Originally Posted by iGiDK

What lenses do you currently have?

Reason I'm asking is to see if there would be much overlap in focal ranges if you were to get a long zoom.

The Canon 100-400 is ok, variation in quality at the long end wide open, gets a bit of stick for being a 'dust pump' due to the push pull zoom mechanism (some folk love it, some hate it), old gen IS as well (2 stop I think) so it may be due an upgrade in the next couple of years.

Can personally vouch for the 300mm f/4L IS with 1.4xTC combo

The Canon 400mm f/5.6L is also very highly regarded

I'd take either of these any day over the versatility of a long zoom

Thanks, Currently using 24-105 L and 70-300DO IS. and these are just not quite long enough, Will look at the 400 f5.6, I just take photos for fun (expensive hobby)
www.pbase.com/mjlamoon

[mjlamoon]

Originally Posted by jenufa

I have the Canon 100-400 and it does the job.
Its been on safari and many other places shooting wildlife and will go with me to Sri Lanka in January on a 50D.
If you did'nt get the 5D II and saved your pennies you would be able to get the Canon 500mm

Thanks, but I can hide the 5dII from the wife!

[Jas H]

Originally Posted by mjlamoon

I was thinking of the Canon 100-400 M

Canon 100-400 all day long. Fantastic lens Great range, and is just on the right side of the portable/too heavy line.

I think the newer ones are sharp enough anyway.

Here's a pic of a handheld shot with IS active, at 400mm on a 40D. 100% crop follows.

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

I will go with iGiDK on this, and say if you are on a budget try a 300mm f/4L IS with 1.4xTC combo or the Canon 400mm f/5.6L.

I did try the 100 - 400 once but couldn't get on with the pull push system.

If your budget can take you a little higher there is also the Canon EF 300mm f2.8L 2nd hand ones can be had for about £1500-£1700


Cheers Holo

[mjlamoon]

[QUOTE=Jas H;8271485]Canon 100-400 all day long. Fantastic lens Great range, and is just on the right side of the portable/too heavy line.

I think the newer ones are sharp enough anyway.

Here's a pic of a handheld shot with IS active, at 400mm on a 40D. 100% crop follows.

Thanks, for including photo's at the price it looks very good, and if it takes a convertor then this mat be my best route

[mjlamoon]

Originally Posted by Holowlegs

Hello there

I will go with iGiDK on this, and say if you are on a budget try a 300mm f/4L IS with 1.4xTC combo or the Canon 400mm f/5.6L.

I did try the 100 - 400 once but couldn't get on with the pull push system.

If your budget can take you a little higher there is also the Canon EF 300mm f2.8L 2nd hand ones can be had for about £1500-£1700

Cheers Holo

Wow so many choices! I think the fixed lens would be best with a TC if I can afford. Maybe i need to drop getting a new 5D II and get a better lens, Thanks M.

[Jas H]

Originally Posted by mjlamoon

Thanks, for including photo's at the price it looks very good, and if it takes a convertor then this mat be my best route

You're welcome

However, do be aware you will lose autofocus with a converter (except when using a 1.4x TC on a 1 series body).

To be honest it probably does not matter. I've only used a converter on it when photographing the moon, so autofocus did not matter anyway.