Recommendation for a lenses for an EOS 70D - for hostile outdoor environment

photonius wrote:

You might consider getting a bridge camera, which offer now zooms that are 24-1200mm (FF equivalent).

Wow - that is amazing. Just googled some reviews of best selling bridge cameras (Sony Cyber-shot HX300 / Nikon Coolpix P520) - and after some thoughts I am not sure I want to go back to non-SLR - .... despite the fact that it will give me the exact outcome I want. Infact Canon just added a new STM lens on the local Canon site - it is the EF-S 55-250MM F/4-5.6 IS STM. Will that be a better fit?

photonius wrote:

The Canon EF2x is only compatible with bigger white Canon L lenses, a limited selection....This leaves you with the 18-135 STM, which should work fine...

Wow - I did not know that.... I was just about to bid for one in auction site - you saved me from making an expensive mistake - thanks. In fact the product description on the Canon site simply said, "The EF 2.0x III serves as the perfect accessory to Canon EF Lenses allowing you to get even closer to the action capturing that perfect shot." - it did not mention it was made only for the L lens.

photonius wrote:

Regarding fish-eye, I presume you are aware that on a crop camera, you don't get the full benefit of the fish-eye, i.e. only at 8-10mm you will get the frame-covering 180 degree (diagonal) fish-eye on crop.

OK - Good point. I will stick to my Go Pro for the wide angle!

NZ Paddler wrote:

Hi everyone,

(1) I am after a single lens that I can use with my EOS 70D for a remote kayak photography trip around an uninhabited island in the middle of Pacific. The lens will be used mainly for taking shots of flying and nesting birds from a moving kayak.

Because of the hostile environment (swell / big waves / salt water), it will not be possible to change lenses during the day - so one lens has to do. These are my criteria:

• The camera and the lens needs to be compact - so I can balance it with one hand and fit inside a big Dicapac waterproof camera bag
• Lens need to support continuous focus in video recording mode at the maximum zoom
• It need to get a sharp close up of birds from up from 100 meters.

Based on my research in here, I was thinking of getting the following combination:

• Canon EF 2x III Extender
• EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

(2) I am also after a second lens for underwater filming of marine life for the same EOS 70D camera. I was thinking of the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM Fisheye Lens.

I am pretty new to DSLR photography - and any help / suggestion will be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Tim

There aren't any single lens solutions that will fit your criteria, I think. For shooting birds you need a long focal length. Without knowing how close you'll be to the birds, I'd venture to guess that you'll need 200mm or more. The 18-135 will not autofocus with a 2x extender , so that's out as a single-handed solution. The VF will also be very dark, so it will be difficult to focus manually. It also won't be all that light.

The only lightweight lens that comes to mind would be the Canon 55-250. It won't be very convenient to use in a Dicapac bag.

I agree with the first reply, you may be better off with a superzoom camera that can get you 600mm or more equivalent in a much lighter package.

Mark

Mark B. wrote:

The only lightweight lens that comes to mind would be the Canon 55-250. It won't be very convenient to use in a Dicapac bag.

I agree with the first reply, you may be better off with a superzoom camera that can get you 600mm or more equivalent in a much lighter package.

Mark

You are right - it will be impossible to get your fingers around the fat 55-250 lens once it is inside the Dicapac dry bag.

I am going to re-evaluate the bridge camera with a superzoom... I just looked at Powershot SX50HS. It says it has a 35mm film equivalent of  '24 (W) - 1200 (T) mm' .

geronimo789 wrote:

If it really has to be compact get something like a 50mm 1.8 or 40mm pancake. (since these are cheap lenses you're not risking too much - except maybe the body).

I could never get close enough to the subject (restriction from the government as the islands are nature reserves) - so I will probably struggle with the pancake lens.

With regards to your other comments - I will be using the camera inside the Dicapac - so lens does not need to be weather sealed - this is what the Dicapac camera bag I am using looks like: