Lens selection...Canon, Tamron, Sigma? (1 Viewer)

Geordiestew · May 9, 2014

Morning. My first post.

Bird photography is something I've wanted to do for such a long time. I have 1000-1400 budget for a lens. I don't intend to buy for a couple of months as I'm stowed off with work at the moment. Body is currently a 450d but I'll be upgrading to 7d, 70d or something around that price point.

I'm sure it's been done to death, but which lens should I go for? Main target will be stationary-ish birds. Maybe in time I'd be good enough for BIF.

300mm F4 and a TC?
400mm F5.6?
100-400?
Sigma 150-500?
Sigma 50-500?
Tamron 150-600? (If it's available by then)

So torn. So many differing opinions.

I know it's probably better rolling some dice to decide.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Hor Kee · May 9, 2014

Most important is: what is your budget like?

Geordiestew · May 9, 2014

£1000-1400 ish. Obviously don't want to overspend if possible. But if I need to go to the top of my budget or buy used to get the "best" of this bunch, then...so be it. I'll just have to wash more dishes for my wife!

I know there's also talk of a new 100-400 but they're expecting much higher cost (probably outside of my budget).

stevo · May 9, 2014

Bang for buck the canon 400mm 5.6l,the best lightweight lens with sharp optics.(I have one)

Cheers.

Steve.

Geordiestew · May 9, 2014

Hi Stevo. Thanks. And that's certainly what I've been reading elsewhere. How do you cope with no IS? Is it an issue? I should have mentioned that I'll probably mainly handhold it.

Roy C · May 9, 2014

Although I no longer have one I would certainly go for the Canon 400/5.6 myself - cracking lens and no problems handholding as long as you use the correct shutter speed.
Attached is a few shots taken with the 400/5.6, all hand held (and mostly cropped a fair bit) to give you some idea.

Roy C · May 9, 2014

Attached are a couple of massive crops to show how well the lens captures fine detail - again both hand held. First shot shows original image and second one is the heavy crop.

Geordiestew · May 9, 2014

I think you may have convinced me with those pics. Thank you. Just got to discuss with the boss.

johnf3f · May 9, 2014

Just my 2p!
Get the Canon 400 F5.6 L - it is simply the best affordable birding lens. Yes there are better lenses out there but they are MUCH more expensive - like 3 times as much for a used one!

stevo · May 10, 2014

Geordiestew said:
Hi Stevo. Thanks. And that's certainly what I've been reading elsewhere. How do you cope with no IS? Is it an issue? I should have mentioned that I'll probably mainly handhold it.

The lens is so light that is isn't needed.

Cheers.

Steve.

johnf3f · May 11, 2014

Sorry STEVO I would disagree.
The larger/heavier lenses damps down the small movements that can blur images. Hand-holding my 800 F5.6 (IS off) at 1/500 sec is quite practical (my arms disagree!), I don't think I would have too much luck at 1/250 sec with a 400.
The point is mute really as the subjects normally demand a higher shutter speed anyway!

Roy C · May 11, 2014

I must admit I could handhold the 300/2.8 steadier than the 400/5.6 because of the extra weight, a while back a had a little Canon SX50 'point an shoot' and trying to hold that steady was very difficult because it was so light (good job it had a 4.5 stop IS!!).
As for the 400/5.6 handholding is all about the shutter speed IMO although a good hand holding technique also helps a lot. When I had the Camera I shot in Tv mode and set the shutter speed I wanted (with auto ISO) whereas normally I would use Av mode.

stevo · May 11, 2014

johnf3f said:
Sorry STEVO I would disagree.
The larger/heavier lenses damps down the small movements that can blur images. Hand-holding my 800 F5.6 (IS off) at 1/500 sec is quite practical (my arms disagree!), I don't think I would have too much luck at 1/250 sec with a 400.
The point is mute really as the subjects normally demand a higher shutter speed anyway!

I can understand your point,in that mass equals stability because I had the sigma 300mm 2.8 prime(until focus motor packed up)I now have the canon 400mm 5.6l.

Cheers.

Steve.:t:

johnf3f · May 11, 2014

As Roy points out a lot of it is to do with technique, but any single lens is a compromise. The Canon 400 F5.6 seems to be one of the better ones.

Roy C · May 12, 2014

stevo said:
I I had the sigma 300mm 2.8 prime(until focus motor packed up)I now have the canon 400mm 5.6l.

Cheers.

Steve.:t:

How do you find the difference in IQ between the Two Steve?

stevo · May 13, 2014

Roy C said:
How do you find the difference in IQ between the Two Steve?

Shooting wide open f5.6 with the canon the images are sharper,one thing I did find with the sigma was on a pro bodied camera such as the 1d2mkn the images were sharper,than on the 50D.Now that i've retired the mk2n in favour of the mk3 i'm getting sharp shots with the 400mm on either the mk3,or the 50D.

Cheers.

Steve.B

Roy C · May 13, 2014

stevo said:
Shooting wide open f5.6 with the canon the images are sharper,one thing I did find with the sigma was on a pro bodied camera such as the 1d2mkn the images were sharper,than on the 50D.Now that i've retired the mk2n in favour of the mk3 i'm getting sharp shots with the 400mm on either the mk3,or the 50D.

Cheers.

Steve.B

Thanks for that Steve, interesting especially the bit about getting sharper shots on a pro body. I was reading somewhere yesterday that getting really good shots with a crop camera demands the very best optics whereas some lenses that do not perform well on the cropper will do a lot better on a FF camera, your findings seem to bear this out.

Paul Jarvis · May 13, 2014

Interesting find stevo mk3 are at rock bottom at the mo and may produce cleaner images than with higher mp cameras. have you used this with a 1.4? whats the IQ like out the 400 5.6 please.

kneonlight · May 14, 2014

Roy C said:
Attached are a couple of massive crops to show how well the lens captures fine detail - again both hand held. First shot shows original image and second one is the heavy crop.

Roy - those pics are superb!! I am absolutely stunned at what you have managed to do with the original images. Absolutely amazing and I can see why you have been telling me how imortant post-processing is. May I ask if you use photoshop, photoshop elements or lightroom? (I have gone for elements to start with but was just wondering?)

Thanks

Glenn

David Smith · May 14, 2014

Unless I am missing it no-one has recommeded the 100-400. I am not suggesting IQ is better/worse but I think the OP should have it in the equation. There have been quite a few occassions when the zoom has been invaluable for me.
I also think the IS is important......even though some have quite rightly pointed out the 400 may not need it so much.
I will now duck behind the setee:-O

Lens selection...Canon, Tamron, Sigma? (1 Viewer)

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