SL2 for birding?

Years ago I used Canon for birding and wildlife but, in the end, became frustrated with the noisy Canon sensors. Even the 7d II was a noisemeister. While I sold most of my Canon gear, I couldn't part with the venerable 400/5.6....what a fine lens that is.

So when I read the cheap-as-chips SL2 sported the well-reviewed 24mp sensor and latest processor I thought I would give it a go.

I've found good and bad: as expected AI Servo using the nine points is not much chop so forget about BIFs. The sensor, too, is still pretty noisy at high iso. But, surprisingly, the centre point focus is very fast and accurate indeed and, of course, the lens delivers sharp pics with nice bokeh. It would be sharper if there was no low-pass filter.

Limit iso to 1600 and the results are quite good...better than the 7DII, that's for sure.

Ergonomically, it works. The lens is happy at 5.6 so I leave that alone and let the camera decide shutter speed and iso which it does well, keeping the shutter speed fast enough while not bumping up iso too far. So all I worry about is exp comp and that is quick and easy.

But on the whole very happy with the exercise and it gives my old lens a new lease of life.

Examples:

The only moving shot that came within a bulls roar of decent focus .

Nice and sharp and very usable at iso 1250. Pleasant bokeh.

iso 2000 - still not too bad. The little centre spot hit the Bower bird's eye very quickly.

iso 2500...getting too noisy.

Back to 1250...not too bad. The centre focus was quick and accurate on this busy little scrubwren.