Bird Photography Lens question?

old git · 12 Dec 2010

Hi

Please help and sorry, as i'm sure you seen this question a thousand times, yes I have searched but non seem to answer... I'm a motosports tog, but also have a interest in birds, have been since i was a YOC memeber..lol.

I'm used to short work in MX, so my longest lens is a 70-200..

So any advice on settings and on a decent lens would be a great help, have had a look at the sigma 150-500, but having used a 10mm fisheye for motorsports, great lens, poor service, just a bit concerned buying another sigma.

So what are you peps using??

Darth M · 12 Dec 2010

The most popular lenses for bird photographers in North America are;

400 f5.6 (popular for BIF)
100-400 if you get a good sample.
500 f4
600 f4

There's not a lot of people using the 800 f5.6 yet.

DonnaM · 13 Dec 2010

500 f/4 for me on an APS-C camera. You will certainly need similar for the APS-H Canon. If you can get really close and do not go for the very small birds then you might get away with a 100-400.

AJQS · 13 Dec 2010

I think a fast 70-300 would be a good place to start.

I use a 135mm f3.5 at prsent, but I'm not a bird tog, just every now and then attempt a snap or 2. The crop factor of my camera helps out greatly here though, the 135 giving a 35mm equivalent of 270mm.

salacalvet · 13 Dec 2010

I started with a Canon 100-400mm then changed to a Sigma 300mm F2.8 dg as I got a good deal on one. However the 500mm is a must and its the one I have finaly settled on.

My advice, funds depending get what your wallet lets you from above but add the Canon 300mm f2.8 is.

With my 300mm I have both converters as they come in useful at times.

hollis_f · 13 Dec 2010

salacalvet said:
My advice, funds depending get what your wallet lets you from above but add the Canon 300mm f2.8 is.

Yup. I started with a 70-300, moved up to a 100-400, tried a 500f4 and ended up with a Canon 300 2.8 with 1.4x and sometimes 2x TCs. The perfect combination of length, weight and IQ.

ChrisGilbert · 14 Dec 2010

I use a 400 f4 with 1.4x TC on the front of a 14MP APS-C. A really long reach. Gives me great results as long as the light is good.

Roy C · 14 Dec 2010

hollis_f said:
Yup. I started with a 70-300, moved up to a 100-400, tried a 500f4 and ended up with a Canon 300 2.8 with 1.4x and sometimes 2x TCs. The perfect combination of length, weight and IQ.

I went a similar route but via the 400/5.6 and then to the 300/2.8. I also tried a 500/4 but weight and bulk made it a non starter for my style of shooting. With the 300/2.8 and converters you have a stellar 300/2.8, a superb 420/4, a very good 600/5.6 and a useful 840/8. All combos will AF on a non 1 series but with the 840mm option you do need good light and contrast.