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Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

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Old 03-12-2008, 10:39 AM   #1
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Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

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
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Old 03-12-2008, 12:38 PM   #2
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

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
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Old 03-12-2008, 12:42 PM   #3
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlamoon View Post
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
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mjlamoon (03-12-2008)
Old 03-12-2008, 1:10 PM   #4
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Smile Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by iGiDK View Post
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

Last edited by mjlamoon; 03-12-2008 at 3:09 PM.
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Old 03-12-2008, 1:12 PM   #5
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Smile Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by jenufa View Post
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!
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Old 03-12-2008, 9:14 PM   #6
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlamoon View Post

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.





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Old 03-12-2008, 9:36 PM   #7
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

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
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mjlamoon (04-12-2008)
Old 04-12-2008, 9:11 AM   #8
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Smile Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

[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

Last edited by mjlamoon; 04-12-2008 at 9:17 AM. Reason: removed duplicate images!
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Old 04-12-2008, 9:16 AM   #9
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by Holowlegs View Post
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.
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Old 04-12-2008, 12:59 PM   #10
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Re: Best lens for wildlife for canon 50D

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjlamoon View Post
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.
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