Canon EF-M 55-200mm or Tamron EF-M 18-200mm?

There have been firmware updates to bodies to improve the support of an existing lens, or to support new lens types (e.g. the 11-22mm that was first to have the retraction mechanism.

You can see examples here.. such as the M3 getting improved support for the 28mm EF-M and the EF-S 55-250mm STM:

https://www.canon.com.au/support/support-news/firmware-updates/eos-m3-firmware-update-version-1-2-1

Or the M getting improved support for the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM or EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens, and adding support for the 11-22mm EF-M:

https://canoncanada.custhelp.com/ap...os-m-firmware-update,-version-2.0.3-[windows]

neilr_ said:

R2D2 said:

However I’d highly recommend getting a dedicated birding lens, since your shooting will be targeted. This also means that you don’t really have to be concerned about size or balance. You just support the lens with your left hand, and control the camera with your right.

Personally I’d go with something like the 55-250 STM at a bare minimum. Better yet, the Sigma 100-400 (if price is a factor). Otherwise the Canon 100-400 Mk II is king of the zoom hill (if price is not a factor).

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I don't really have a general interest in birding (though I can see how this could be the gateway). I am specifically interested in these crows (and the occasional hawk that invades the neighborhood).

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Then it certainly may not warrant spending a lot for a very specialized lens. You’d indeed be better off with one that could serve multiple purposes.

neilr_ said:

I've rented the 55-250 STM and should have it for the weekend, so that will help me frame my need for wider or longer capabilities. Has the Sigma also needed FW updates like the Tamron has?

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Good move. The 55-250 STM would be your (best) entry level choice IMO. Great bang for the buck.

neilr_ said:

neilr_ said:

If you were somewhat concerned with the IQ of the 18-150 (or 18-200), then I’d be Hugely concerned with the IQ of a superzoom P&S (or even a 1” sensor bridge camera). ...Even if you did shoot everything in broad daylight (which you’ll soon find out isn’t actually an ideal time of day for shooting).

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I didn't mean to say that I had doubts about the overall image quality from the lenses. More that I was interested in the overlapping range rather than the non-overlapped wide end.

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For birding, your IQ requirements (and how much you can crop) will be determined by your output requirements (how large you need to print/display).

neilr_ said:

Full daylight may not be an ideal for shooting photos, but that's when our crows are around. They show up in the morning, hang around all day, and are gone well before dusk.

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Hopefully you’ll have plenty of shooting opportunities. Maybe some interaction between the crows and a hawk (crows love to harass raptors).

neilr_ said:

neilr_ said:

And IQ isn’t the only important consideration. Autofocus is just as critical, if not more so!

There’s lots of technology involved in getting great bird shots (not to mention your own abilities). Get the odds in your favor as much as possible (even to the extent of considering an M6ii upgrade at some point). Birding is addictive, and it sounds like you’ve got some great opportunities close at hand!

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I *want* the M6 Mk2, but I clearly don't *need* it given my light use of its predecessor.

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And maybe birding is just the catalyst you need, to expand your photographic horizons!

Happy shooting!

R2