Recommendations for bigger zooms and tripod for n00b

[LIme85AW11]

Greetings, all! I was recently given a Canon EOS 630 because the owner went digital. It currently has a 75-300mm zoom, but I am looking to go larger, if possible. I have the trouble that most of the smaller birds I am attempting to photograph are very jumpy, and I cannot get in with as much detail as I would like with the 300mm. What are common, good combinations of 400-500mm zooms and tripods for the heavier EOS models?

Thanks a bunch in advance!!!

[Muskrat]

Erica....I'm currently using the Canon EF 100-400mm "L" IS zoom, as are a lot of other birders. (It's quite expensive, however) The results are outstanding. Others are using the Sigma 50-500mm zoom with very good results as well. You can check out my gallery to see some of the shots with the 100-400mm. If you want to see some really GREAT shots with this lens, check out Gene's gallery!!!!!
Muskrat

[martinrobinson]

I recently bought the Sigma 80 - 400 OS lens. This is Sigma's Optical stabilising lens which is the equivalent of Canon's 100 - 400 IS lens, except of course it's a good deal cheaper. I've got some photos is my gallery using this lens. I'm not really sure how the two lenses compare head to head but I'm pretty pleased with it.. The sigma is fairly heavy ( presumably because of the OS ). I've used it with Sigma's 1.4x convertor but you lose the autofocus. It does seem a bit slow to focus sometimes as well. Still I would recommend it as a cheaper alternative.

[LIme85AW11]

wow, thanks guys! I'll have to check out the used equipment section for these; my budget is limited at the moment due to an inevitable trip or 2 to FL to see my grandfather as his health is rapidly declining :( Thank you so much for your advice :) I have so much to learn still.

[Andy Bright]

The image stabilised lenses hold their value very well and won't often be seen at a bargain price on the used equipment lists (the Sigma OS has only just been released, so you won't find that secondhand for a while).

Forgetting the luxuries of Image stabilisation... Muskrat's suggestion of the Sigma 500mm zooms is a good one for those on a budget ... the latest version is the 50-500mm but the older version 170-500 can be picked up at a very good price (new or used). 500mm and a 1.4x teleconverter will give you plenty of reach.

[LIme85AW11]

Thank you all so much for your help! I will definitely look into these options as soon as I can!