back from holiday and guess what i bought???

[mark f]

Took the family to spain for the week and i couldnt resist in the airport and mr barclaycard kindly bought me my first dslr. I got the 40d with the 17-85 is.

Really i want it for bird and wildlife photography so am now choosing a lens.

My friend has the 100-400 which is what im leaning towards, because of the price, the versatility and of course the results i see can be possible.

Obviously reach will be an issue but i dont mind waiting for a good shot and i have plenty to learn and play with in the mean time!!;)

So do you think that lens is the right choice for me or is there an equivelent gem of a lens you know of??

Wish i had it in spain! (picked up on the way back). Saw black wheatear, lots of thekla lark close up. Saw a lesser grey shrike which must have been on migration as well as the usual suspects. Mum had loads of black redstart out the front of hers which would have been great to practice on. Oh well next time!

Now back to the manual....

[postcardcv]

The 40D is apparently a very nice camera so you're off to a good start there. The 100-400 IS is a very good and very popular birding lens. It has a good range, fast focus and the IS mena you don't always need a tripod. Another lens worth considering is the 400 f5.6 - this is a bit lighter and focus faster, but is a fixed length and does not have IS. If you are a birder who has a tripod out anyway then IS is not so important. I've owned both of these lenses and like them both, it's just a matter of working out which suits you best.

[Keith Reeder]

What Peter said, really - though predictably the 40D/100-400 combo is one I'm rather keen on..!

;)

[mark f]

thanks guys. think i will go for the 100-400. like the idea of the IS when on the move. have been shopping round. Which shops do you use. Thinking of getting jessops to price match. They will match u.k prices. Warehouse express sell it for 999.00. could go abroad. Dunno really!

Wish they had it in the airport. Would have got it then.

[postcardcv]

thanks guys. think i will go for the 100-400. like the idea of the IS when on the move. have been shopping round. Which shops do you use. Thinking of getting jessops to price match. They will match u.k prices. Warehouse express sell it for 999.00. could go abroad. Dunno really!

Wish they had it in the airport. Would have got it then.

Given that you can currently get £70 cash back from Canon on this lens I'd be inclined to buy in the UK. You could probably get an imported one for a bit less but if you were to have any problems it's easier to have got it locally.

[a.dancy]

I like Keith would favour the 100-400. You would be surprised at how often you don't need the full range even, or especially for flight shots. the prime lens is however considered by many to be the best there is for flight shots. Good luck with your decision.

[Taxboy]

thanks guys. think i will go for the 100-400. like the idea of the IS when on the move. have been shopping round. Which shops do you use. Thinking of getting jessops to price match. They will match u.k prices. Warehouse express sell it for 999.00. could go abroad. Dunno really!

Wish they had it in the airport. Would have got it then.

Try www.camerapricebuster.co.uk - it's a very useful price comparison site

HTH
Andrew

[Keith Reeder]

Or contact Ian Kerr ("Kerso" on Ebay - his Ebay shop is called "Flash Camera").

He's currently doing the 100-400 for £840 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-CANON-100-400MM-IS-LENS-IN-SCOTLAND_W0QQitemZ130167024551QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3 0070QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem) - and if you contact him directly, possibly even cheaper.

[postcardcv]

Or contact Ian Kerr ("Kerso" on Ebay - his Ebay shop is called "Flash Camera").

He's currently doing the 100-400 for £840 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-CANON-100-400MM-IS-LENS-IN-SCOTLAND_W0QQitemZ130167024551QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3 0070QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem) - and if you contact him directly, possibly even cheaper.

certainly a good place to try if buying an imported lens, I have dealt with Ian - good service and good price, I'd certainly recommend him...

but check out that bargain I PM'ed you about first...