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