Zoom lens advice

I need advice on lenses. What would be a good telephoto/zoom lens

for taking up close nature photos with my 7D?

 

And if I would look for a used lens, what do I need to watch out for.

 

Thanks,

Jodi

Your post leaves me unsure whether you want a true macro lens (lots of lenses call themselves macro, but can't fill the frame with anything smaller than 4x the sensor size) or a long lens. Most true macro lenses are not zoom lenses, and most are in the 50 to 100mm range (i.e., a single focal length in that range), but can focus close enough to fill the frame with a butterfly (or even something smaller). On the other hand, maybe you just want a long zoom lens to take pictures of distance (or relatively distant and relativelty small) subjects.

Jody- You didn't indicate whether you're talking about macro shots of flowers, bugs, etc., or of shots things like birds and animals. However, to cover either type of 'nature photos', a lens you might consider is the 'Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO Super II DG'. This lens when used with a 7D would be equal to a 450mm lens on a 35mm camera, plus this lens will focus down to 1:1 with the 7D, (it focused down to 2:1 with a 35mm camera) which makes it a true macro lens. Make sure you get the APO Super II version, as Sigma made another 70-300 zoom, called the 'DL Macro',which is a none APO lens. And if you get the 'DG' version, it will have better coatings than the original APO Super. A check with B&H Photo shows a price of $219.

Hello Jodi,

 

 

"ColorFoto Digitally" magazine recommended Tamron Macro Di 1:1 SP AF 90 mm f/2,8 mounted on a Minolta 7D gear. This is a fix lens, more easy to operate than zooms and having a superior optical quality. It earned the 2004-2005 good design Award japanese prize. Dutch "FotoMagazin" gave it a very good note in january 2006.

 

Tamron produces also a kind of 1:3,9 Macro zoom : SP AF 28-75mm F/2,8 LD ASPHERIQUE [iF] MACRO (it has a very good reputation, here in Europe : Europas Objektiv des Jahres 2003-2004 EISA, "FotoMagazin" 07/2003 SUPER, "ColorFoto" 10/2003 TESTSIEGER, "Computer Foto" 04-2004 Testsieger, "Stiftung Warentest" 01/2005 GUT etc.)

 

Usually, true macro lenses are not zooms (Nikkor makes its exception). Avoid common zooms lens having a modest "macro utility" (read macro publicity) fonction, that is offered instead of a bigger lens aperture.

 

Another option can be the expensive Minolta AF 100 mm f/2,8 Macro D 1:2.

 

Hope that helps.

 

J.A.

Thanks for answering. I'm sorry I wasn't clear. Actually I am interested in both types of lenses. The close-up nature and at a distance wildlife are what I'm interested in.

Thanks, Jodi