Wildlife Lens. Renting.

TJDIV

Looking at this 28mm-300mm from LensRentals.com for some shooting next week. We have a wildlife refuge nearby and I want the "right" lens, but only want to have one lens. That's why I'm looking for the range of this lens.

I'm new to a lot of the lens stuff, rented a 10-22mm last week and really enjoyed it.

Thanks in advance for any tips. I shoot with a 40d.

-Tom

ziggy53

The Canon EF 100-400mm, f4.5-5.6L IS USM is a very popular wildlife/birding zoom lens and it would be my choice over the Canon EF 28-300mm, f3.5-5.6L IS USM.

I generally use a Sigma "Bigma" 50-500mm, f4-6.3 EX HSM for that application. I would rate it as not quite as fast to focus nor as sharp as the Canon 100-400mm "L", but still a pretty good peformer.

TJDIV

Thanks for the quick reply. The feedback on the Sigma isn't bad there either.

Hmmm. I'll try it. Not bad for a week either

Thanks again,
Tom

ThatCanonGuy

If you're going to rent, why not a 500 f/4? The perfect wildlife lens. You can't have a wildlife lens AND a wide-angle in one lens. If 300mm is enuf for you, and I'd be surprised if it is, then you can use that 28-300, but 28 isn't very wide and you're sacrificing a lot of IQ with the long range. Why not 2 lenses, say, 17-85 and 100-400 or a supertele?

TJDIV

You're right. My 'everyday' glass is a 28-135mm. I will have that available.

Interesting. That's why I rent before I buy

[Deleted User]

ThatCanonGuy wrote: »

but 28 isn't very wide

In fact, on the OP's 40D its almost a "normal" length lens (~45mm). I know, I started with the 28-135 "kit" lens on my 50D crop camera, along with the 100-400, but they did not offer anything else at such a low price ($200).

puzzledpaul

<< 500 f/4? The perfect wildlife lens >>
Shorter mfd would be nice

pp

davev

A little more info.

The 28-300 is a good lens, but not really considered a wildlife lens.
Unless you can get very close to what you're shooting, the 100-400, or the 50-500 may be the better choice.

The 500 f4 weighs a bit. So unless you're a bigger - stronger person, you'll want to use a tripod or monopod with it.

But if you're going for bigger "L" glass, you could try a Canon 400 f4 DO lens with a 1.4 tc to bring you up to a 560mm.

I usually use a Canon 100-400 or a Canon 300 F2.8 with a 1.4 tc, or a 2x tc. to make it a 420mm or 600mm respectively.

I don't know what you'll be shooting, but be aware of the weights of these lenses.
If you're hiking quite a bit, the lighter lenses may be the way to go.

mr peas

The 28-300mm is one a huge puppy! If you're shooting animals from an extreme far, everyone who is anyone will definitely recommend the 100-400mm Canon L or the 50-500mm Bigma. However, these lenses are so darn bulky and expensive! If purchasing one in hopes to resell I would also suggest buying a 'lenscoat' in order to protect it from any thrashing it may take itself upon. I would however suggest getting a quality tele-converter to apply an extra reach to your current lens line or perhaps to a Canon 70-200mm, so as to get a longer grab but for minimal cost+weight. Those lens rentals are expensive!! Perhaps finding a friend that has those lenses may lend one to you for free or half/price before making a purchase will alleviate any buyer's remorse. But if you really need to rent out, I really like the Canon 100-400mm L. Just make sure you get a decent monopod or tripod w/ a gymbal head otherwise you won't be needing to head to the gym to pump up those arms of yours, EVER. ha

TJDIV

mr peas wrote: »

The 28-300mm is one a huge puppy! If you're shooting animals from an extreme far, everyone who is anyone will definitely recommend the 100-400mm Canon L or the 50-500mm Bigma. However, these lenses are so darn bulky and expensive! If purchasing one in hopes to resell I would also suggest buying a 'lenscoat' in order to protect it from any thrashing it may take itself upon. I would however suggest getting a quality tele-converter to apply an extra reach to your current lens line or perhaps to a Canon 70-200mm, so as to get a longer grab but for minimal cost+weight. Those lens rentals are expensive!! Perhaps finding a friend that has those lenses may lend one to you for free or half/price before making a purchase will alleviate any buyer's remorse. But if you really need to rent out, I really like the Canon 100-400mm L. Just make sure you get a decent monopod or tripod w/ a gymbal head otherwise you won't be needing to head to the gym to pump up those arms of yours, EVER. ha

They are big. I used a friends 400mm during our U.P. Overland 2010 trip:
Here's Pat just after whipping out his little friend. I chose to sit and shoot They are HUGE and bulky. I think the "Bigma" would be fine, but I agree, the longer range (50 all the way to 500) isn't a big draw to me. I'd rather net good crisp images.



I really enjoyed messing around with the 400mm

5 minutes before Pat pulled this lens out, I was shooting this scene with my 'out of the box' 28-135. Imagine if I had had the 400mm on!!!!


I was impressed with the 400's reach. This lighthouse is a couple miles off shore as seen in the second pic with the Eagle below:


This was with my 135mm full zoom and cropped quite a bit. You can tell why I want a better lens



So, at any rate, I truly appreciate the feedback and have snagged the 70-300mm from Mr. Peas. Honestly can't wait to try it out. Will still likely mix in some rented glass to see what else is out there.

Thanks!
-Tom

borrowlenses.com

If you can swing it the super-tele primes are the bee's knees when it comes to sharpness and AF performance. The 100-400 and 28-300 zooms are decent and very popular due to their smaller size and affordability.

TJDIV

got me wondering how a 100-400 with a 1.4 or 2.0 tc would do...

mr peas

TJDIV wrote: »

got me wondering how a 100-400 with a 1.4 or 2.0 tc would do...

They work great! Look up 'Canon 100-400mm 1.4x or 2.0x samples' on Google.

*on Google image mode

puzzledpaul

<< got me wondering how a 100-400 with a 1.4 or 2.0 tc would do... >>

A 40D won't AF with either of these TCs + 100-400

pp

mr peas

TJDIV wrote: »

got me wondering how a 100-400 with a 1.4 or 2.0 tc would do...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=9090014

Art Scott

Borrow Lenses is running a special right now ..............7 days rental for the price of 3.............

mr peas

Art Scott wrote: »

Borrow Lenses is running a special right now ..............7 days rental for the price of 3.............

Ha, nice link Art.

kdog

The 100-400 when used with a TC is NOT a good option, despite the fact that some folks have reported some successes with this. I have tested this extensively because I really, really wanted this to work. I've used TC1.4 extenders by three different manufactures (Canon, Tamron, and Kenko). I've also tested it on three different bodies. I've done controlled tests on tripods, and hand-held in real life situations in the best of lighting conditions. The AF can be made to work by taping pins, but it's extremely unreliable. Your focus motor will oscillate like a machine gun, which I can't believe is good for your lens. Yes, you can occasionally get a decent shot with this combo, just as a stopped clock is right twice a day. But it really doesn't work, nor does Canon support it on anything other than the 1D bodies.