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Birding Photography for Canon SL2/200D

Started Dec 11, 2018 | Questions thread
stratobill Senior Member • Posts: 2,081
Re: Birding Photography for Canon SL2/200D

R2D2 wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

I have the SL2 and the EF-S 55-250mm STM lens. It delivers very good image quality and has reasonably fast AF performance. Plus it is inexpensive and can be bought refurbished for $150, or less. I bought mine refurbished for $125. The downside to this lens is it isn't the best for faster moving targets. The STM focus is just a tad too slow, IMO, for birding, sports etc.

There is a lens that I think would be good for you as it has lightening fast focus and good image quality. It is the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens. It is a relatively new lens from Canon and has gotten good, solid reviews. The rub is it comes in a little over your $400 budget at $449.

There might be some other third party lenses but it is hard to beat Canon's USM focusing ability. The 70-300mm gives you an effective reach of 480mm which is pretty good overall. Below are a link to each lens.

+1 to Mike’s recommendations.

The 55-250 STM (refurb) if your budget is super tight. Otherwise absolutely spend the $449 for the 70-300 USM Mk II. A fine lens to get you into birding. And 300mm is about the shortest focal length that I would consider for birds (because you’ll always want longer!).

R2

+2, I don't have that 70-300 but do have the 70-300L, with a USM motor, focuses much quicker and more accurately than the 55-250.

 stratobill's gear list:stratobill's gear list
Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM +4 more
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