Wanting a longer lens

[wellinghall]

<p>Hi everyone<br>

I'd like a longer lens for birding and wildlife photography. I am currently using a 300mm f/4 lens on an EOS 100D body, sometimes with a 1.4x extender; I could spend up to £2,000 to get more reach. Options I am thinking about are:</p>

<ol>

<li>400mm f/5.6. Pros: cheap, light. Cons: I can't use the extender and keep autofocus unless I buy a new body as well; and no image stabilisation.</li>

<li>400mm f/4 series I. Pros: fast, can use extender with autofocus, image stabilisation. Cons: expensive, heavy.</li>

<li>100 - 400mm series I. Pros: zoom, image stabilisation. Cons: heavy.</li>

<li>100 - 400mm series II. Pros: zoom, good image stabilisation. Cons: expensive, heavy.</li>

<li>Lens options 1 or 3 with a new EOS 80D body. Pros: this will let me use the extender with autofocus. Cons: expense, heavy.</li>

<li>Accept I can't get a great solution at my price point, and stick with my current set-up.</li>

</ol>

<p>Any thoughts?<br>

Thanks<br>

Andrew</p>

[Robin Smith]

If you are using a tripod then the 400mm f5.6 would be excellent, if not I suggest the zoom 100-400 ver 2, if that is

affordable for you, otherwise the ver 1. Have you considered the Sigma Contemporary and Tamron 150-600mm zooms

too? They are great value.

[BelaMolnar]

<p>I used on the Namibia African safari a Tamron 200-500 on a Nikon D3s or D4, ( I never use an extender ) and I get home with lots of beautiful images, more then half a price and weight as the other guys super expensive lenses. See the images in my portfolio. The new Tamron 150-600 mm probably as good too. The slow f/5-6.3 used fully open, f/5 or at f8-11 most of the time, was no problem even in hand hold use, with high ISO.</p>

[AzDavid]

<p>As you've outlined your budget and options, I'd go with No. 5 with the older Canon 100-400mm. IMO, you can't go wrong upgrading to the 80D body. And I own the older 100-400mm lens and can attest to its quality and performance. You point out that the lens is heavy ... yes, indeed. And it's still quite pricey even with the availability of the newer model. If you have any remaining cash, make sure you have a good, solid tripod for the lens. </p>

[brett_w.]

<p>I also use the older original 100-400 with good results but if it's exclusively for wildlife take look at one of the newer 150-600 zooms (Sigma and Tamron) If you're shooting at the long end it could be a good value especially for birds<br>

60D - orig. 100-400 400mm<br /> <img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7417/28068695915_4e7bb4b849_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="502" /></p>

<p> </p>

[wellinghall]

<p>Thank you for your suggestions and comments. I will give it some more thought, and I will also let you know what I get.</p>

[johne37179]

<p>Unless you feel the need for the shallow depth of field of a fast lens, the current (and future) crop of auto focus technology and high ISO/low light sensors make the slower lenses the obvious choice. Not only are they less expensive, but also much lighter in your pack.</p>

[wellinghall]

<p>E. J., I don't think I really need the faster lens / shallower depth of field. The chief benefit would be that I could use a 400mm f/4 (in some form) with my current 1.4x extender and 100D body, and keep autofocus.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Just to say, I bought the older 100-400mm after I saw the specs on the newer one. I've not regretted the purchase, though there's little question the newer one is better if price is no object.</p>

[Laura Weishaupt]

<p>Andrew,<br>

Can you rent any of the gear in question from your location? Consider using some of your monetary resources and rent the 80D along with the 400mm, the 100-400 zoom and one of the newer zooms mentioned above, like the Tamron 150-600. Rent it all together for at least a week and try everything out. See what you like and dislike about each, then make your decision. If you rent the camera, ask about software.<br>

The 100-400 is a really nice lens, but it is a beast. After renting it for a week, I knew it was not for me. After renting the Canon 400mm f5.6 twice I felt confident about the purchase and found a used one. It's a very nice lens. The newer zooms, such as the Tamron and Sigma, are very nice. They are also heavy, but may serve your purposes with greater range. Best wishes.</p>

<p> </p>

[ed_avis2]

<p>I see that the older 400mm f/4 IS DO is within your price range if bought used.<br>

There is also the option of a 2x teleconverter. Apparently Canon's newer model is much improved. You would face the same loss of autofocus as with the 400 and 1.4x.<br>

<br />I don't have an opinion on these, I just mention that they are other possibilities.</p>

[dcstep]

<p>For birds, none of these are heavy. I shoot thousands per year, hand held with a 500/f4 II. I know women that hand hold the 500/f4. Just do it.</p>

<p>I'd suggest either the 400/f5.6 or the 100-400/ II IS. Both are light and fast. The 100-400mm has the incredibly important advantage of the latest IS, which is good to hand hold down to 1/100-sec. and lower, when you gain experience. For bird-in-flight you'll want 1/1000-sec. or higher, but you can go much lower for perched birds. The Series I 100-400mm is not so great at 400mm and it pumps dust and dirt like a bellows. </p>

<p>The new 100-400 Series II has a close minimum focus distance, so it's also excellent for insect and flower photography. Paired with the EF 1.4x TC-III on a body like the 7D MKII, there's hardly any delay in AF. It's quick and accurate. </p>

<p>The 400/f5.6 is the top alternative only if money is the limiting factor. It's old, old, old, with lack of IS and long minimum focus distance. It is sharp and the AF is quick.</p>

<p>If you don't already have the body, for birds, the 7D MKII is a much better body than the 80D. The 80D has some other strengths, but the AF system will run circles around it and the extra fps are extremely useful for BIF. If you already own the 80D, you can manage with it, but it's aimed at other types of uses.</p>

<p>Buy used for both body and lens. With a lens, you should be able to recover you investment if you resale after buying used. Used L-series lens usually sell for 805 to 90% of new. I sold my old Series I 500/f4 for what I paid for it, after six-years of usage. It's safe to consider current edition L-series as investments, particularly when purchased lightly used. Whatever body you buy, it'll ultimately be worth less than 200-pounds. With bodies, buy used to minimize depreciation.</p>

<p>100-400mm Series II, hand held:</p>

<p><a title="Blue Darter Damselfly" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7428/27965145102_dffaa5408d_c.jpg" alt="Blue Darter Damselfly" width="800" height="534" /></a></p>

[dcstep]

<p>You can see from that cardinal shot that the Series I 100-400mm is not sharp. The Tamron and Sigma 150-600mm lenses have the same issues. I know several people that started with those lenses and all moved to Canon after a few months. Just skip the marginal lenses. If you buy used, you can afford Canon and you can get back out if you don't stick with bird photography. If you do decide on one of the 150-600mm, then buy used. They take a beating in the first year, but are a decent bargain used.</p>

<p>Those lenses, particularly the Sigma, are unbalanced and very hard to hand hold.</p>

<p>BTW, a light tripod will NOT do the trick. You need a heavy tripod, with a gimbal head. That adds up to a bulky, heavy accessory which will limit your BIF photography. Hand held is the way to go.</p>

<p><a title="Great Blue Heron Flies In" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1511/24635724704_8c03e037d4_c.jpg" alt="Great Blue Heron Flies In" width="800" height="534" /></a></p>

[User_6667263]

<p>Canon 100-400 II IS. If you get a body that can autofocus at f8 in the future you can add a 1.4x III teleconverter and have a 140-560mm.<br>

Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.<br>

Sigma 150-600mm Sports.<br>

I would not consider the Tamron. I own one (which I am going to sell) and the Sigmas are much sharper, particularly as you move away from the center.</p>

 

[dcstep]

<p>Also, note that the Canon 100-400/II doesn't jump to f/5.6 until past 300mm. On a 7D MkII, it focuses really fast with the EF 1.4x TC-III attached.</p>

[wellinghall]

<p>I had just about decided on a 400mm f/5.6 and an EOS 80D ... when I got the news that I will be made redundant in a few months' time. So, I will be sticking with my current setup until I have a secure job.</p>