Wildlife Lens

[BenC567]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up a Canon Rebel XSi with an 18-55mm lens.  After a few outing with it I am already looking into a new lens for wildlife.  Do you think a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS will be enough or just leave me wanting more?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

[huntnphool]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up a Canon Rebel XSi with an 18-55mm lens.  After a few outing with it I am already looking into a new lens for wildlife.  Do you think a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS will be enough or just leave me wanting more?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

Its not very sharp and at f5.6 its slow as well.

[grandpawrichard]

trust me, you will never have enough lens! At least in the back of your mind any way! I have a 400mm L series lens and I'm always lusting for a 600mm L or an 800mm L!

I also agree with phool! That lens isn't the sharpest lens on the market, but it isn't the worst either. If you don't already own it, save your money and buy a better lens.

Dick

[BenC567]

Thanks to both of you!  What would you recommend I get for a lens without breaking the bank?

Thanks again.

[huntnphool]

Thanks to both of you!  What would you recommend I get for a lens without breaking the bank?

Thanks again.

Start with a Canon 70-200mm f4, if you can afford the (IS) add that, should be able to find one on CL for $850, non IS for $450-500.

Add to that a Canon 1.4x for a little more reach under decent light conditions.

If you want a fixed lens for about the same money you can find a Canon 300mm f4 IS

[grandpawrichard]

Thanks to both of you!  What would you recommend I get for a lens without breaking the bank?

Thanks again.

Start with a Canon 70-200mm f4, if you can afford the (IS) add that, should be able to find one on CL for $850, non IS for $450-500.

Add to that a Canon 1.4x for a little more reach under decent light conditions.

If you want a fixed lens for about the same money you can find a Canon 300mm f4 IS

I Totally Agree with this Choice! I own a 70-200 f/4 and it is a wonderful lens! I also own a 300 f/4 and it too is another great lens!

Dick

[Arrow Head]

I have a T2i with a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. If you're on an extreme budget, it will suit your purpose. Just be warned, after looking at Grandpa and Phool's photos and various other pro's on this site, you'll want to throw a blanket over that lens and give it last rights. I've been updating to better glass, just picked up the EF-S 10-22mm and a 24-105mm f/4L. I rented both from Glazer's in Seattle for a weekend before I bought to make sure. I'm looking to replace the 55-250mm and am heavily leaning towards the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM, but can't decide if I should spend that much on and f/4-5.6 or spend more for the f/2.8 or f/4 throughout.

I took all these pics with the 55-250mm. The whales were all hand held on a boat. Everything else was on a tripod. Some are cropped, other than that they're not edited at all (obviously). Action shots are f/5.6 at 250mm. A lot of these were taken before I knew I should be using a polarizer on sunny days.

[huntnphool]

I have a T2i with a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. If you're on an extreme budget, it will suit your purpose. Just be warned, after looking at Grandpa and Phool's photos and various other pro's on this site, you'll want to throw a blanket over that lens and give it last rights. I've been updating to better glass, just picked up the EF-S 10-22mm and a 24-105mm f/4L. I rented both from Glazer's in Seattle for a weekend before I bought to make sure. I'm looking to replace the 55-250mm and am heavily leaning towards the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM, but can't decide if I should spend that much on and f/4-5.6 or spend more for the f/2.8 or f/4 throughout.

I took all these pics with the 55-250mm. The whales were all hand held on a boat. Everything else was on a tripod. Some are cropped, other than that they're not edited at all (obviously). Action shots are f/5.6 at 250mm. A lot of these were taken before I knew I should be using a polarizer on sunny days.

Nice shots AH, you are going to love that Canon 10-22mm, its a fun little lens for sure.

 Just a FYI for you and anyone else ready this, Glazers is convenient for those that live close to Seattle but I highly recommend www.lensrentals.com for renting and trying out lenses. For one thing, they are cheaper than Glazers, Glazers was outrageous the last time I checked for a 500mm f4 IS.

 Secondly, lensrantals lenses look absolutely brand new whenever I have ordered one. They typically only rent their lenses for up to a year, sell them used and then replace with a brand new one. This gives customers the best odds of renting a lens issue free, I'm sure there are problems from time to time but I don't know if it ever happening personally.

 Lastly, you don't need to spend money on fuel to drive down there, pick it off and then return. Lensrentals is like netflix, you order online when you will need it, for how long, and it shows up at your house in a box a day or two before you are needing it. The box also contains return shipping labels. Box it back up when done using it and drop it off at FedEx, pretty simple, quality condition gear and cheap.

[BenC567]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.  I am going to rent a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS and see how I like it.  I'll probably end up getting a used one. Hopefully it will do the trick for now.

Arrow Head - If you are planning on selling your 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS let me know...  I'm in no rush

[wapiti hunter2]

The thing about wildlife is that there is almost always movement involved.  Low light too.  That means you want a lens with speed.  F4 should be your minimum.  F2.8 is better but the cost goes up rapidly.  Huntnfool and Grandpawrichard give good advice. You will also want to get a tripod or a monopod to use for stabilizing your camera too.

[Alchase]

Here is a comparison of the 55-250 and the 70-300 4-5.6 is USM
The 70-300 is much clearer at all stops. You can find this lens for less then $500.00, I have seen it as low as $350.00 on craigslist

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=456&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=1&LensComp=358&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=0

[huntnphool]

Here is a comparison of the 55-250 and the 70-300 4-5.6 is USM
The 70-300 is much clearer at all stops. You can find this lens for less then $500.00, I have seen it as low as $350.00 on craigslist

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=456&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=1&LensComp=358&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=1&APIComp=0

If were budgeted at $500 I would go with the Canon 70-200mm f4.

[boneaddict]

I'd ante in with as well

[Alchase]

I would totally agree. if you could find a 70-200 l f4 for $500.00
I paid half that for my 70-300 4-5.6 is USM

I would rather have the L, lol

[grandpawrichard]

70-200 L For Sure! Awesome lens! 

Dick

[huntnphool]

I would totally agree. if you could find a 70-200 l f4 for $500.00
I paid half that for my 70-300 4-5.6 is USM

I would rather have the L, lol

Here is one, he will never get $650 for it but can't hurt for him to ask. I'd offer him $500, worst he can say is no. Find out how bad he wants to get engaged anyway   http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pho/3630067298.html

[Tom Reichner]

I would totally agree. if you could find a 70-200 l f4 for $500.00
I paid half that for my 70-300 4-5.6 is USM

$500 actually seems a bit high.  I sold mine a couple years ago for $425, and it was in excellent condition.  They frequently go for anywhere between $425 and $500 on POTN.  Craigslist prices are often way out of line.

[huntnphool]

I would totally agree. if you could find a 70-200 l f4 for $500.00
I paid half that for my 70-300 4-5.6 is USM

$500 actually seems a bit high.  I sold mine a couple years ago for $425, and it was in excellent condition.  They frequently go for anywhere between $425 and $500 on POTN.  Craigslist prices are often way out of line.

The prices have gone up since the Japan quake.

[grandpawrichard]

70-200 L:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1277450

Dick

[BenC567]

Have any of you been to Kenmore Camera?  I was in there a few days ago looking at used lens.  Prices seemed to be much better than Craigslist.

Thanks to all of you again.

[Tom Reichner]

Did a quick search on POTN for the 70-200 f4 non-IS:

Grandpaw already showed you a link for one that is still available there for $500
One sold last week for $475
There's another one currently available for $500
Another one sold on eBay for $500 last week (listed on POTN too)
Another is currently available for $490

I did not see any for sale where the seller was asking for more than $500

I'm just trying to make a point that there's no need to pay more than $500 just because somebody on Craigslist is being selfish or greedy.

[huntnphool]

Did a quick search on POTN for the 70-200 f4 non-IS:

Grandpaw already showed you a link for one that is still available there for $500
One sold last week for $475
There's another one currently available for $500
Another one sold on eBay for $500 last week (listed on POTN too)
Another is currently available for $490

I did not see any for sale where the seller was asking for more than $500

I'm just trying to make a point that there's no need to pay more than $500 just because somebody on Craigslist is being selfish or greedy.

I wouldn't pay more than $500 either.

[Bean Counter]

I got mine today: $350! 

White Mountains elk herd, here I come!

[timberghost72]

PM sent for 55-250 f4-5.6 IS if interested.

[308ME]

i have the 100x400 5.6 IS  lenze from canon and just luv it very usble in many differnt situations. check the pic's i post here the deer are about 1000yards out te Eagle is about twenty

[Alchase]

A buddy of mine scored big time at Best Buy last week. While browsing through the camera section, there was a box with a hand written price tag of $1200.00
He turned it over and it said it was a return with full warranty,
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 

He bought it, brought it home, and when he opened the box there was a EF 70-200mm f/4L USM in the box,
not a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
He took it back to Best Buy, and the return guy agreed, they ordered him a new lens.
He picked up his brand new
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM on Friday. They called when it came in so he took the day off to play with it.

Some people have all the luck 

[huntnphool]

A buddy of mine scored big time at Best Buy last week. While browsing through the camera section, there was a box with a hand written price tag of $1200.00
He turned it over and it said it was a return with full warranty,
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 

He bought it, brought it home, and when he opened the box there was a EF 70-200mm f/4L USM in the box,
not a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
He took it back to Best Buy, and the return guy agreed, they ordered him a new lens.
He picked up his brand new
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM on Friday. They called when it came in so he took the day off to play with it.

Some people have all the luck 

Sounds like someone took advantage of the lack of knowledge at the Best Buy counter. Buy a new 70-200 2.8 II and put your almost identical 70-200 f4 in the box and return it.

[Alchase]

Ya that

[KFhunter]

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-800mm-Telephoto-Digital-Cameras/product-reviews/B00132FXOW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

read the reviews, specifically #3 

This lens might be a bit much for ya though 

[Alchase]

Everyone should have a Lorraine in their life, 

LOL