Help with choosing wildlife lens. please!

Magpie70

Magpie70

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Mark
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Hi,
I was just wanting some advice on a complimentary lens to use for wildlife alongside my forthcoming 500mm f4 lens. I want something shorter to shoot wildlife that is quite close and something that I can comfortably carry in my backpack.

I would be very interested to hear what people use alongside their 500mm lens and what they think could be a good option around the £1000 (ish) price range.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
much appreciated, Mark.
 
Havent got a 500, but do have a 600, and have a 100-400L and 70-200 2.8 ISL with the 1.4 and 2x converters. Both lenses are a good second lens, and are both around the price you are looking at :) the 70-200 is obviously a bit faster aperture wise than the 100-400 if you need that low light capability.

The other good lens is the Sigma 120-300 2.8, doesnt have IS and is a bit of a beast but also a great second lens for one of the big ones :) may be a bit more than your budget though.
 
Thanks Paul and Ian,
Yeah I've been looking closely at the 70-200f2.8. The only concern I have with this lens is its weight. Do you think this is much of a problem? or is this a small compromise for the image quality you get from the lens?
Also, do you generally carry the 500 and have the 70-200 (or other lens) in a backpack, or vica versa?
Cheers for the help, mark.
 
If you are getting a 500 F4 the weight of the 70-200 is pretty insignificant ;)

I hardly notice the 100-400 or 70-200 when on the camera now ! lol

I will sometimes have the 600 on the mk3 and the 70-200 on the 20D and sometimes in the backpack depends what im shooting.
 
FOr a trek to a site, I normally have the 500 in a backpack with the 70-200 round my neck (with a body for each). I then normally move around a site with the 500 on tripod or monopod over my shoulder... It's heavy but worth it.

I also have a 300 f/2.8 prime but I rarely take that and the 500 out at the same time as that is starting to get heavy...
 
Got to agree with what's been said. I use the 500mm and either the 100-400L or the 70-200 2.8, I can't think of better combinations to cover all the bases. A zoom can be a real boon for those opportunistic closer shots when the long glass is just too long.

Definitely get IS versions if you can - I've pulled off shots at around 1/40 second which just shouldn't have worked at all!
 
Although I don't have the luxury of a 500 or 600...I do have the luxury of the 70 - 200 2.8 IS and a 2x extender, and have had the 100-400!! Both give the same results but the 2.8 at the closer range is a god send!
 
I use a 500mm f4 on a tripod and carry a 100 - 400 with me, as has been said weight is not really an issue, I have and use the extenders as well, I'm getting the 300mm f2.8 very very soon so the 100 - 400 will go and I'll replace it with a 70 - 200 f2.8 (y)
 
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