I've got a Canon 5DII. The longest lens I have is the 70-200 2.8 & the 1.4 extender. I want to reach out further on occasion. Canon doesn't seem to have much to pick from without going to their prime lenses. I know I'll have to drop some serious coin for a really sharp lens. What are you Canon shooters doing for a sharp zoom that will reach out & touch your subjects?
Posted by Nate Chappell on March 25, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Well Canon really doesn't have one yet (a very sharp long telephoto zoom). The closest thing is the 100-400 which is not as sharp as your 70-200/2.8, although it does give you more length. It's a reasonably good lens and reasonably priced but not super sharp. I've heard a rumor that they are working on a 200-400 F4 DO lens, but I have no idea when it will be coming out, or if the rumor is true.
One other option is to buy a Sigma 300-800 zoom lens for a Canon mount. It's very large and quite pricey ($7,500 or so) but it does produce sharp images when used on an adequate tripod for it.
Hi Wick, I guess it depends on what your targeted subjects are! At the minimum you would look to try and get at least a 300/2.8 (sharpest lens of Canon's Telephoto IMHO, though others might refute) but if you are looking to target birds extensively, then in many cases even a 500/4 would prove to be inadequate!
If you are able to afford the extra couple of grand between the 300 and 500 (I have heard and experienced 500 being inadequate for small song birds too on occasions! and that with a crop body), I would definitely say go for 500 and get a 1.4x TC to pair it with! I have never heard anyone complaining of having too much focal length anyway :)
And for shooting birds try the art of creeping slowllllllllyyyyyyy to get touch closer!
Along the same lines, I have a 7D, and will be visiting Gatorland in Florida next month. I'm wondering if my Canon 70 mm - 300 mm - F/4.0-5.6 will be "enough" while I'm there? Any thoughts?
Posted by Nate Chappell on March 26, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Wick, I guess I was assuming you were looking for a zoom. Shivakumar gives some good advice for fixed focal length lenses. I use the 500F4 often with the 1.4 teleconverter. I'm sure the 600 and 800mm work very well also.
Jonathan, I haven't been to Gatorland so I can't help you much there, although I have seen some closeup portraits from there taken with medium sized zooms (70-200's).
Discussion
5 repliesOne other option is to buy a Sigma 300-800 zoom lens for a Canon mount. It's very large and quite pricey ($7,500 or so) but it does produce sharp images when used on an adequate tripod for it.
If you are able to afford the extra couple of grand between the 300 and 500 (I have heard and experienced 500 being inadequate for small song birds too on occasions! and that with a crop body), I would definitely say go for 500 and get a 1.4x TC to pair it with! I have never heard anyone complaining of having too much focal length anyway :)
And for shooting birds try the art of creeping slowllllllllyyyyyyy to get touch closer!
Jonathan, I haven't been to Gatorland so I can't help you much there, although I have seen some closeup portraits from there taken with medium sized zooms (70-200's).