Posted by David Taylor on February 23, 2007 at 6:01 AM
I know it's only a grey squirrel, but beggars can't be choosers at the moment, whilst recovering from a heart attack
Taken from my living room window practising my limited telephoto abilities with my obsolescent Sony DSC F717, in anticipation of my first dslr (Sigma SD14) Roll on 6 Mar 07.
I would appreciate any advise on what telephoto lense would be suitable, zoom or prime.
I am swayed towards the 120-300 f2.8 EX zoom. The weight and cost are
factors to be considered, but I am willing to reduce my future food intake to justify the outlay if there is no less expensive alternative.
Camera hand held image cropped natural light.
Posted by Rob Ashton on February 23, 2007 at 6:08 AM
You just keep taking it easy David. Safe recovery is all important when dealing with your heart.
There's nothing wrong with these subjects as it keeps you keen and gives you some outlet for your hobby. The SD14 sounds like a great DSLR and the 120-300mm is a good lens for its price.
Best of luck.
Rob
Posted by Rene de Heer on February 23, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Nothing wrong with this image and do get the 120-300/2.8 ....great lens and with the 1.4 and 2.0 converters you cover almost anything!
Rene de Heer
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 23, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Hi David, as Rob said you just take it easy - the wildlife is going nowhere soon so just you make sure and get yourself up to fightin' weight
From the results I've seen the 120-300 is a fine peice of glass and most any quality lens in the 200 to 400mm bracket has gotta be useful.
Primes will always out perform zooms - ie a 300 2.8 prime will out perform the 300mm end of the zoom you mention - that's just plain physics, but their inherent cost is a big factor to take into account - and then there's the weight, big primes weigh a ton and are hard to use handheld (though once you get used to it the excess weight can sometimes help stability in a pan shot (big stress on the word 'can' though).
I think you'll be pleased with your new cam and the 120-300 has good reports everywhere - or you could go with the 300 prime for about the same money and the 1.4 tc which as a combo gives great images and maintains your af.
I suppose it boils down to a question of do you have any use for the 120 to 200+ part of the zoom range.
Anyway, all the very best to you and keep the stress levels down and the happy levels up
I'm looking forward to some shots from your new setup.
Hope you get fit soon.
Regards
Posted by Philip Kirkham on February 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Hello David
As the guys are saying - take it real easy, and get well soon. Nice image with great title too.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by Richard Tynan on February 23, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Hi David,
A very nice image. The squirrel looks like he is up to no good.
From the few reviews I've seen the 120-300 sounds like a great lens. It certainly covers a lot of useful focal lengths for a generalist nature shooter, and it's nice and fast.
If you can live with the weight (too heavy for me as a general lens ), and it's long enough with the teleconverter (you never seem to have enough reach for small birds) then it could be a good choice. You would only need a short zoom and perhaps a small macro to have a complete kit, so not too much changing of lenses.
I hope you are fully recovered soon.
Best wishes.
Posted by David Taylor on February 23, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Thank you gentlemen for your advice and kind words. It looks like it will be the 120-300 mm zoom plus teleconverters. The 300mm prime is tempting but has it been discontinued?
The squirrel has been back and trying its luck on something more difficult after discovering
no peanuts left in the wooden container.
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 23, 2007 at 3:41 PM
David - the 300 prime is still alive and kicking - I bought one 9 weeks ago - see
Expect to pay 1500 or a bit less if you can get it, but make sure it is the EX DG HSM - the older discontinued version is still for sale on some internet sites at top price.
You can always give Bob Rigby Photographic at Bollington a try if you want a good deal - http://www.bobrigby.com/
Gary Simon or Andy are always willing to accomadate!
All the best - he's an athletic little soandso isn't he
Regards
Andy
Posted by David Taylor on February 24, 2007 at 3:41 AM
Thanks Andy for the info. I must admit the 300mm prime is the one to go for if it has the edge on quality at the 300 end. Decisions,decisions!
Here's to a good recovery of your health.
The 1st shot of the squirrel is pretty cute. I love the way its little paws grasp the branch. And its expression and pose are priceless. Reminds me of a kid who's contemplating the rish of getting his hand caught in the cookie jar!
And the 2nd image! What a rascal!
Posted by Paul Gibbs on February 24, 2007 at 2:32 PM
I must admit i'm not a fan of grey squirrels, but nice pictures, i regularly see them raiding bird feeders from my back window.
Btw the 300mm f2.8 is a very good lens, i was very happy with mine. But it always had a 1.4 x or 2x TC on it. So i sold it and bought the 500mm 4.5. Btw i hope the SD14 is a good camera for sigma. I used to enjoy my SD9.
Discussion
11 repliesTaken from my living room window practising my limited telephoto abilities with my obsolescent Sony DSC F717, in anticipation of my first dslr (Sigma SD14) Roll on 6 Mar 07.
I would appreciate any advise on what telephoto lense would be suitable, zoom or prime.
I am swayed towards the 120-300 f2.8 EX zoom. The weight and cost are
factors to be considered, but I am willing to reduce my future food intake to justify the outlay
Camera hand held image cropped natural light.
There's nothing wrong with these subjects as it keeps you keen and gives you some outlet for your hobby. The SD14 sounds like a great DSLR and the 120-300mm is a good lens for its price.
Best of luck.
Rob
Rene de Heer
From the results I've seen the 120-300 is a fine peice of glass and most any quality lens in the 200 to 400mm bracket has gotta be useful.
Primes will always out perform zooms - ie a 300 2.8 prime will out perform the 300mm end of the zoom you mention - that's just plain physics, but their inherent cost is a big factor to take into account - and then there's the weight, big primes weigh a ton and are hard to use handheld (though once you get used to it the excess weight can sometimes help stability in a pan shot (big stress on the word 'can' though).
I think you'll be pleased with your new cam and the 120-300 has good reports everywhere - or you could go with the 300 prime for about the same money and the 1.4 tc which as a combo gives great images and maintains your af.
I suppose it boils down to a question of do you have any use for the 120 to 200+ part of the zoom range.
Anyway, all the very best to you and keep the stress levels down and the happy levels up
Best regards
Andy
I'm looking forward to some shots from your new setup.
Hope you get fit soon.
Regards
As the guys are saying - take it real easy, and get well soon. Nice image with great title too.
Best wishes
Phil
A very nice image. The squirrel looks like he is up to no good.
From the few reviews I've seen the 120-300 sounds like a great lens. It certainly covers a lot of useful focal lengths for a generalist nature shooter, and it's nice and fast.
If you can live with the weight (too heavy for me as a general lens
I hope you are fully recovered soon.
Best wishes.
The squirrel has been back and trying its luck on something more difficult after discovering
no peanuts left in the wooden container.
http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telephoto/300mm.htm
Expect to pay 1500 or a bit less if you can get it, but make sure it is the EX DG HSM - the older discontinued version is still for sale on some internet sites at top price.
You can always give Bob Rigby Photographic at Bollington a try if you want a good deal - http://www.bobrigby.com/
Gary Simon or Andy are always willing to accomadate!
All the best - he's an athletic little soandso isn't he
Regards
Andy
The 1st shot of the squirrel is pretty cute. I love the way its little paws grasp the branch. And its expression and pose are priceless. Reminds me of a kid who's contemplating the rish of getting his hand caught in the cookie jar!
And the 2nd image! What a rascal!
Btw the 300mm f2.8 is a very good lens, i was very happy with mine. But it always had a 1.4 x or 2x TC on it. So i sold it and bought the 500mm 4.5. Btw i hope the SD14 is a good camera for sigma. I used to enjoy my SD9.