how much zoom?

[starky987]

I'm looking for a new lens that will allow me to take good wildlife shots. I don't have a big budget so that makes this more difficult. My camera is an XTI 400D so its a x1.6 I think. I'm currently looking at lenses in the 200-250mm range that would be significantly higher after the x1.6. Any advice on this would be great.

[RNDRND]

Check out reviews on the Canon 70-300 IS. This is a good lens for the money. I think that you will find that many users like this lens. I have this lens and used it much until I bought a 300 4/L IS.

[BBiggs]

300mm is about the minimum for wildlife, with 400mm and 500mm perfered. The 70-300mm IS Canon lens has great IQ, though I don't own it personally, I have seen plenty of shots taken with it on various fourms and it really performs nicely. You may also want to have a look around for a used sigma 50-500mm Zoom. Its most commonly called the "bigma" as it is a heavy lens ( I think around 4lbs). That lens has very good IQ close to 100-400mm L.

[Jim T]

I'm currently using the 400d xti and the 70-300mm IS and it works well for a starter wildlife lens.. You will quickly find it is a bit on the short side for wildlife.

I have read remarks from several ppl that you will always want/need another 100mm no matter what lens you have.

I have been having a blast shooting song birds and the like with my 70-300. It just requires getting pretty darn close to your subject. Lots of blind sitting and a truck load of bird seed and deer corn.:wink

[jwear]

as long as your pocketbook will let you but 300 is about as small as you can go

[SKM]

Hi

I too have the 400D and started out with the Sigma 70-300 but soon found it just too short for decent wildlife shots so invested in the 100-400 L IS, which is soo much better, although sometimes I wish I had the 500 600.......

Stan

[Maestro]

Hi

I too have the 400D and started out with the Sigma 70-300 but soon found it just too short for decent wildlife shots so invested in the 100-400 L IS, which is soo much better, although sometimes I wish I had the 500 600.......

Stan

The Canon F4.5-5.6L IS 100mm-400mm telezoom is the one that really got me going with wildlife photography. I would say that this is a great starter wildlife lens. I say starter lens because I can guaratee you that you will still be wanting more focal length with this one too. Although I highly recommend this telezoom first. It's a great value. Or you can just go for the Canon F5.6 400mm prime which is sharper but no IS.