The trouble with Bird photography is that invariably you need a big lens, generally anything below 300mm leaves you hopefull you have that rare/action/interesting shot, but often disappointed when you finally view the slide only to see a small indistinct brown shape occupying about 1% of the frame.
So really 300mm is a good starting point for SLR/35mm wildlife photography, Obviously if your using a digital SLR then things are a lot easier as most prosumer DSLR's have a multiplyer effect of about 1.3x to 1.6x due to the size of the sensor.
Now then What to choose ?
I am a Canon EOS user so naturally first point of call EOS lenses.
Mmmm very nice too all white with Ultrasonic motors and low dispertion glass, Image stabilisers too and HOW MUCH !!!
Now I'm not saying Canon 'L' glass is'nt worth every penny but I want to take pictures with a clear conscience not with a huge bank loan around my neck.
Which after much digression brings me to the thorny subjct of 'Independent Lenses'
Some Photographers love them, some Photographers absolutely detest them, usually without trying them first ( Brand snobbery is a terrible thing )
My name is Scott and I'm a Sigma user...
I bought about 2 years ago the Sigma 300f4 HSM APO Macro, it cost 500.00 and was less than half the price of a Canon equivalent, is it half the quality ?
Well...
I cant tell the difference with my untrained eye between Photographs taken with my Sigma lens to those taken with a friends EOS 300 f4 IS.
It (The Sigma )focuses quickly due to its HSM or Hyper sonic motor, which is similar to Canons own USM
Its has a nice focus limiter as well as a MF/AF overide which is usefull for fine focusing in AF mode
APO construction, virtually nil flare with the Lens hood, NO noticable vignetting.
77mm Filter thread, Tripod collar, Nice case to store it in.
Now I have used this Lens all over the UK and it has never let me down, I've taken Hundreds of Rolls of slides with it and the results are always excellent.
So would I buy one?, well yes but only second hand now as its discontinued.
Is it good enough for Bird Photography ?
Probably not really, but using lens at about 300mm will discipline you and encourage you to learn good field craft ( i.e sneaking up on things !)
The only downside to this lens are,
Its heavy,
The Tripod collar is well made but inteferes with the camera if using a battery grip attached to the body when tripod mounted.
It might not work with newer EOS Cameras, But Sigma will re-chip it, possibly for free.
It wont keep its value like a Canon L lens will but Its such a good lens you probably wont care.
So really 300mm is a good starting point for SLR/35mm wildlife photography, Obviously if your using a digital SLR then things are a lot easier as most prosumer DSLR's have a multiplyer effect of about 1.3x to 1.6x due to the size of the sensor.
Now then What to choose ?
I am a Canon EOS user so naturally first point of call EOS lenses.
Mmmm very nice too all white with Ultrasonic motors and low dispertion glass, Image stabilisers too and HOW MUCH !!!
Now I'm not saying Canon 'L' glass is'nt worth every penny but I want to take pictures with a clear conscience not with a huge bank loan around my neck.
Which after much digression brings me to the thorny subjct of 'Independent Lenses'
Some Photographers love them, some Photographers absolutely detest them, usually without trying them first ( Brand snobbery is a terrible thing )
My name is Scott and I'm a Sigma user...
I bought about 2 years ago the Sigma 300f4 HSM APO Macro, it cost 500.00 and was less than half the price of a Canon equivalent, is it half the quality ?
Well...
I cant tell the difference with my untrained eye between Photographs taken with my Sigma lens to those taken with a friends EOS 300 f4 IS.
It (The Sigma )focuses quickly due to its HSM or Hyper sonic motor, which is similar to Canons own USM
Its has a nice focus limiter as well as a MF/AF overide which is usefull for fine focusing in AF mode
APO construction, virtually nil flare with the Lens hood, NO noticable vignetting.
77mm Filter thread, Tripod collar, Nice case to store it in.
Now I have used this Lens all over the UK and it has never let me down, I've taken Hundreds of Rolls of slides with it and the results are always excellent.
So would I buy one?, well yes but only second hand now as its discontinued.
Is it good enough for Bird Photography ?
Probably not really, but using lens at about 300mm will discipline you and encourage you to learn good field craft ( i.e sneaking up on things !)
The only downside to this lens are,
Its heavy,
The Tripod collar is well made but inteferes with the camera if using a battery grip attached to the body when tripod mounted.
It might not work with newer EOS Cameras, But Sigma will re-chip it, possibly for free.
It wont keep its value like a Canon L lens will but Its such a good lens you probably wont care.