Advice on cameras/lenses

[paddyfrog]

Hi folks
I want to upgrade from my 400d and low specs lenses. I am interested in landscapes, nature and wild life (mainly birds).
My budget is £3000 for a body (any make) + grip/batteries and hopefully 2 good lenses (zoom?):
# 1 wide angle
# 1 for long distance shooting with or without a converter

I have an idea of what i am after but would like to hear your views.
Thank you

 

[StewartR]

OK, first things first, if you want to shoot birds but you don't have the budget for £3000+ lenses then your camera needs to be a Canon. Your budget is reasonably generous so that suggests a 40D or 50D rather than a 450D or 500D.

Your nature/wildlife lens could be any of:
* EF 100-400mm f/4 L IS USM
* EF 300mm f/4 L IS USM with a 1.4x Extender for when you need 400mm
* EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM

They'll all get you to 400mm at f/5.6 which is just about the limit befoe you start talking silly money.

For your wide lens you have lots of choices. If you're only interested in landscapes then the EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM would do nicely. For more general purpose use you might want to look at the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM or the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

 

[paddyfrog]

Hi StewartR
Thank you for your advice, i will definitely go for a 50D and an EF 100-400mm f/4 L IS USM, not too sure yet about the wide angle