Long focus zoom lenses (1 Viewer)

I am completely new to this forum, and do not yet know how to navigate it. The question I am asking has probably been 'done to death' before. I have recently had a holiday in South Africa, where my animal photos are pretty good, but my bird photos abysmal except for ostriches and a couple of Southern Ground Hornbills. I would appear not to have a long enough focal length lens. I have a Canon EOS 350D/Rebel XT digital camera with a Canon f4 70 - 200mmL lens and Canon 1.4 extender. On the digital camera this represents a maximum equivalent of 448mm. I am thinking of getting a lens up to 500m which would give a maximum equivalent of 800. I cannot afford the Canon L lenses, and have narrowed the search to the new Sigma 170 - 500mm DG lens and the Tamron 200 - 500mm lens. Have any members of the forum experiences or views on either or both of these lenses for bird photography? Comments would be appreciated.

Hi baillieswells,

A warm welcome to BirdForum from all the Moderators and Admin. I'm sure you'll find your way round soon - if you need any help just ask.

You may get a better response to your question if you post it in the Photography forums - http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=111

Hi baillieswells,a warm welcome to you and good to have you with us.

Hi baillieswells and a warm welcome to BirdForum :t:

Big Welcome from me too..........

hello, welcome to bird forum!

I use the Tamron, and rate it pretty highly. Most of the photos in my gallery were taken using this lens. I'm not a "great" photographer, but, they should give you a rough idea of what you can achieve.
My gallery