Lenses for wildlife shooting

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Comments

  • JamieCJamieC Registered Users Posts: 154 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2006
    bfjr wrote:

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    Not to threadjack... but you don't see shots like that everyday! Thanks for sharing.

    jamie
  • SwartzySwartzy Registered Users Posts: 3,293 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2006
    Jamie...all I can say is....
    Wow...brilliant execution. Great colors and capture. Very impressive! bfjr nailed it!
    Swartzy:
    NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
    Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
    www.daveswartz.com
    Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
  • gerberbabygerberbaby Registered Users Posts: 7 Beginner grinner
    edited September 10, 2006
    Wow!! Amazing
  • Lee MasseyLee Massey Registered Users Posts: 274 Major grins
    edited September 20, 2006
    I must admit that the one lens that I would love to have would be the 200-400 F4 VR from Nikon. That is one sweet lens...iloveyou.gif

    Lee
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited September 27, 2006
    Fixed focal length lenses may have better IQ, but you can't beat the versatility of a zoom. These were taken with a Bigma:

    bird @ 313mm
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    rhino @ 363mm
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    zebra foal @ 266mm (cropped to remove the adult butts)
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    Landscape @ 50mm
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    (see, none taken at maximum zoom mwink.gif)
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2006
    Great stuff Al! You bring up a good point. The type of lens you use should be based on your needs, not what others prefer or say is better. I'm not saying others opinions are bad, but they should be used to help you make an educated decision, not just follow others opinions blindly. I have noticed that the zooms are a real popluar lens for Africa. A lot of photographers I have seen online have used the 100-400 while on photo safaris in Africa. Those are some beautiful shots BTW.
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited October 5, 2006
    What lenses for wildlife?
    I use the one thats on the camera. :D Sometimes you just have to crop a little more.

    Mostly I now use the Canon 400 f5.6.

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    Before that, the Canon 70-300is (non do)

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    and before that, the Sigma 80-400os

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    They all work. With some, you need to do a bit more in post.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited October 6, 2006
    Showoff bowdown.gif
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • TechnoTechno Registered Users Posts: 5 Beginner grinner
    edited October 8, 2006
    What lense might fit my Lumix FZ7 ?
    This is about the best I can get with the as is :cry
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  • gildcogildco Registered Users Posts: 179 Major grins
    edited October 15, 2006
    davev wrote:
    What lenses for wildlife?
    I use the one thats on the camera. :D Sometimes you just have to crop a little more.

    Very fine work, Dave. You aptly prove that it is not the lens itself so much as the photographer.
    Gil
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited October 16, 2006
    Nick, Gil, Thanks.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited October 29, 2006
    All right since you brought this up.. All I have is my 300mm 4-5.6 kit lens.79559927-M-3.jpg
    it has worked pretty well for me. with my d50 but you always long for more.
    Because of my daughter,{plus I sell a few to other parents} I shoot alot of sports & need the zoom. Because of $$ I'm leaning toward getting a sigma 300 2.8 zoom "low light sports" & later putting a TC on it for nature.
    Any thoughts on this would be great. thanks.
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • johnandsandy26johnandsandy26 Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited November 1, 2006
    Hi.
    I use a 2.0x telephoto and 0.7x wide angle.along with polarizing filters and neutral density filters for my sony mavica
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 1, 2006
    I use a 2.0x telephoto and 0.7x wide angle.along with polarizing filters and neutral density filters for my sony mavica

    I used a teleextender and a wide-angle extender on my old Sony 717 also. Both worked rather well.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    Because of $$ I'm leaning toward getting a sigma 300 2.8 zoom "low light sports" & later putting a TC on it for nature.
    Any thoughts on this would be great. thanks.
    Sorry, I have never used this combo but I would think it would work just fine. Anyone have any experience with this combo?
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited November 21, 2006
    I haven't done this with the Sigma f2.8 300mm prime, but I do exactly that with my Canon 300 f2.8 IS L frequently. It makes a very nice, hand holdable 600mm lens that still focuses as close as a 300mm lens with an aperture of f5.6 with a 2x. Without IS, I doubt you will want to try to hand hold 600mm.

    I have a Tamron 200-500 lens, and I find that if I mount it on a heavy tripod it does a fine job - but it is not handholdable without a tripod at 500mm at all.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • lifesdisciplelifesdisciple Registered Users Posts: 231 Major grins
    edited November 21, 2006
    Anyone hear anything about the Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO Aspherical AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens?

    I really need to upgrade my crappy Quantarary 75-300 f/4-5.6 and was wondering if this was worth the investment. I don't have a lot of money. I can't see how a lot of you have these amazing lens. some of these lenses cost more than both of my cars combined. i wish i could afford something nicer but in reality i can't. just trying to get the most bang for my buck. i really love shooting birds and wildlife and my lens just isn't cutting it. is this the lens for me or can someone recommend something better in the $500-$600 price range? Thanks for your time.

    Michael - Life's Disciple

    "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

    www.lifesdisciple.com
  • lifesdisciplelifesdisciple Registered Users Posts: 231 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    Anyone hear anything about the Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO Aspherical AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens?

    I really need to upgrade my crappy Quantarary 75-300 f/4-5.6 and was wondering if this was worth the investment. I don't have a lot of money. I can't see how a lot of you have these amazing lens. some of these lenses cost more than both of my cars combined. i wish i could afford something nicer but in reality i can't. just trying to get the most bang for my buck. i really love shooting birds and wildlife and my lens just isn't cutting it. is this the lens for me or can someone recommend something better in the $500-$600 price range? Thanks for your time.

    or better yet, since i have only read not so good things about this lens i found very nice reviews and many of them about this lenSigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO EX RF HSM Lens. Anyone use or hear of anything about it?

    Michael - Life's Disciple

    "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

    www.lifesdisciple.com
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    or better yet, since i have only read not so good things about this lens i found very nice reviews and many of them about this lenSigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO EX RF HSM Lens. Anyone use or hear of anything about it?
    Here you go:

    http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial_s&hl=en&q=site%3Awww.dgrin.com+bigma&btnG=Google+Search
  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited November 22, 2006
    or better yet, since i have only read not so good things about this lens i found very nice reviews and many of them about this lenSigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO EX RF HSM Lens. Anyone use or hear of anything about it?

    Hey Michael,
    Check out Big Al's Bigma pics, one page back. Bigma is the affectionate nickname for the 50-500 Sigma. Great lens!! Works best in good light and is a bit on the heavy side. But as Big Al's pics show. With good light it is a great lens :D It doesn't work well with a TC, but on a 1.5/1,6 camera you get close to 800mms. Not bad for a bit over $100 per 100mms thumb.gif

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    Do a search on Bigma and you will find many decent pics and good feedback.

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • lifesdisciplelifesdisciple Registered Users Posts: 231 Major grins
    edited November 22, 2006
    thanks for all the info, links and pics. i read in one of the links that it was in the sub 850 range. where would this be? i can only find it for $999. is that because the new release of it has the DG?

    Michael - Life's Disciple

    "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

    www.lifesdisciple.com
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited December 28, 2006
    my new wildlife lens --Bigma 50-500
    had it a bit over a week right now (12/27)
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    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • trinkotrinko Registered Users Posts: 23 Big grins
    edited December 30, 2006
    Bigma is great!
    When I'm out doors taking nature shots just about the only lens i use is the Bigma
    Here's a bird shot at 500mm
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    and here's a tiger--shot in the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago
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    finally here's a self portrait. :)
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    the Bigma is fine for almost all nature shots. It's a bit heavy but that actually helps stabalize it. I've taken good shots at as long an exposure as 1/80.
    Hey Michael,
    Check out Big Al's Bigma pics, one page back. Bigma is the affectionate nickname for the 50-500 Sigma. Great lens!! Works best in good light and is a bit on the heavy side. But as Big Al's pics show. With good light it is a great lens :D It doesn't work well with a TC, but on a 1.5/1,6 camera you get close to 800mms. Not bad for a bit over $100 per 100mms thumb.gif




    Deleted great photos. sorry.




    Do a search on Bigma and you will find many decent pics and good feedback.

    Steve
  • photographixphotographix Registered Users Posts: 181 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2007
    sigma 135-400
    thanks for all the info, links and pics. i read in one of the links that it was in the sub 850 range. where would this be? i can only find it for $999. is that because the new release of it has the DG?
    hi i have a sigma 135-400 4.5-5.6 D APO and i love it. i got it on ebay for $450. and man it shoots!. get one quick. rick.
    just be nice THATS ALL! www.photographix.smugmug.com :seamus
  • ebwestebwest Registered Users Posts: 416 Major grins
    edited January 13, 2007
    I'm a little late but I wanted to jump in on the praise for the 100-400 5.6L. I hand hold 75-85% of the time and haven't had any issues with the IS.

    All these are hand held.

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  • PlsurferPlsurfer Registered Users Posts: 43 Big grins
    edited January 28, 2007
    I just recently got a canon 400mm 5.6L, so i havent had more than 2 weeks to shoot with it but so far...I LOVE IT!!!!!!! this photo was shot yesterday 1/27....
    www.blakewallrichphotography.com
    www.imageevent.com/obrippers

    Canon 20D, Canon 300D, Canon EF 400mm 5.6L, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon100-300mm f/4.5-5.6, Canon EF-S 18-55mm , Canon 580EX, Manfrotto Tripod 3011N, Manfrotto Monopod 559B
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2007
    Outstanding shots taken with a variety of lenses. Looks like's there is plenty of viable options out there for wildlife shooting.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Albert DicksonAlbert Dickson Registered Users Posts: 520 Major grins
    edited March 4, 2007
    Kuddos for the Bigma 50-500mm EX DG
    I have been using this lens as my primary wildlife shooter for about a year. I like it. It is a bit slow (f6.3 @ 500mm) and heavy, but the focus is quick and quiet. For a good quality 500mm zoom under a grand, it's a winner. Seems sharpest at f8. Until I can afford the "big nasty" it will do just fine. Oh yeah one other thing: The barrel lock on my Bigma lens came loose inside and jammed things up. I sent it to Sigma USA in NYC with a note explaining I was traveling in a few days and would need it. They fixed it next day and FedEx'd it overnight back to me at no extra charge. Not Bad!
  • Jim VictoryJim Victory Registered Users Posts: 39 Big grins
    edited March 21, 2007
    My primary lenses for wildlife, mostly birds, are the 400 f/5.6L, 500 f/4L IS, and 600 f/4L IS.

    I like the 400 for HH work and the 500 for both HH and tripod. The 600 is tripod or BB.

    400 f/5.6L + 1.4x TC:
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    500 f/4L IS + 1.4x TC:
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    600 f/4L IS + 1.4x TC:
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    Jim
    Canon Equipment
    http://www.victoryphoto.net
  • flatheadfisherflatheadfisher Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited April 24, 2007
    mushy wrote:
    Anyone using the Canon 100-400 IS USM L ?? its possibly my next purchase so any comments positive or negative would be appreciatedthumb.gif

    I just bought one and I love it. I used it in a recent trip to Everglades National Park. I used the entire zoom range, especially trying to capture large birds in flight. It is very heavy! My arms are going to get bigger. You can see the pics at www.michaelayers.smugmug.com .
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