Which lens would work best?

timberrattletimberrattle Registered Users Posts: 40 Big grins
edited March 19, 2013 in Wildlife
I'm wanting to take pictures of frogs and reptiles. My camera is a Canon 7D. I have two lens to choose from.....24-70mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8.

Let's say I can get as close to my target as I want to....touch them if I wanted to. Which lens would be better suited for the job? And do I need to stay back a minimum distance in order to get the lens to focus on my subject?

Thanks so much :)

Comments

  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited March 12, 2013
    it that case the 24-70 but the 70 200 is a great lens ,you just have to back up
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  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited March 12, 2013
    And if the reptiles are rattling, please back up regardless of lens used! Best, Pam
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited March 12, 2013
    Also depends on the size of the subjects and what type of shot / how you want to 'fill the frame'.
    Assuming you want to go for a typical 'macro' style of shot, rather than environmental, I'd suggest the 70/200 ...with a set of extension tubes.

    Both lenses have a native mfd (minimum focussing distance), but the addition of 1 or more extension tubes will greatly reduce this distance and effectively let you fill the frame to a greater extent.

    Using extn tubes with the 70/200 @ upper end will also let you stay a bit further away from some subjects and still get decent sized images.

    Because the longer lens has a smaller angle of view, it allows you to control (what's in) the background better.

    Presumably you've considered (and rejected) a macro lens?

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  • wave01wave01 Registered Users Posts: 204 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2013
    I think either will produce good results
  • squirl033squirl033 Registered Users Posts: 1,230 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2013
    i'd go with the 70-200. the 24-70 is a great lens, sharp and very good image quality. but the longer lens will let you stay a bit back, which is less disturbing to your subjects, and will also reduce the chance of your own shadow, etc., interfering with your light. and of course, it's more versatile for critters you CAN'T get close enough to touch. the only down side is that the minimum focus distance is about 5 feet. the 24-70 has the obvious advantage here, it can focus at about 16".
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  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2013
    squirl033 wrote: »
    i'd go with the 70-200. ... // ... the only down side is that the minimum focus distance is about 5 feet....

    T'was why I suggested also getting a set of extn tubes ... using appropriate combinations of the 3, coupled with the zooming aspect of a 70/200 provides a lot of versatility.

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  • D'BuggsD'Buggs Registered Users Posts: 958 Major grins
    edited March 19, 2013
    The best lens is the one that's handy.
    Learn the nuances of each and each will produce excellent results.
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