Capturing Wildlife with a 60D

Mark B. wrote:

Yes, but there may still be retailers with stock.

Okay I'll have a look, thank you. Is it worth considering renting it, in your opinion?

Do you think it is an appropriate upgrade from the 55-250?

Mark B. wrote:

It will be a step up from the 55-250 for sure. Renting is a good option so you can give it a try and see if you are ok with the handling & weight; it's significant compared to the 55-250 (I have both). Also be aware that version I is a push-pull zoom rather than twist. Some people don't like it; I don't mind it at all. There is a locking feature so you can lock it into place. The locking feature can be used to make the push-pull action completely free, or you can tighten it up so it still travels with moderate action from your hand.

Eventually I'll upgrade to the II or possibly one of the 3rd party 150-600 zooms.

Mark

Fair enough, yes I noticed the massive weight difference with the 70-200 and my 55-250 and I think I could get used to the push-pull zoom but there is only one way to find out, I'm glad to know there is a lock feature too. Thank you for all of your help!

Happy Snapping!

I would love to know what everyone else thinks, is it worth upgrading to the 100-400?

Or should I rent it and give it a try?

Or should I keep the 55-250 and spend more time practising?

Thanks! 

inevitablyissie wrote:

I would love to know what everyone else thinks, is it worth upgrading to the 100-400?

Or should I rent it and give it a try?

Or should I keep the 55-250 and spend more time practising?

Thanks!

Yes, yes and yes and consider the Canon 400 mm F5.6L.  It has a longer minimum focus distance and no IS.  But it is lighter than the 100-400's, relatively fast focusing and is super sharp wide open.  New I believe it's around $1400.  Can be had used for $800 or so.  This lens has served me well for over 10 years.

Good luck and good shooting.

Cavig

Cavig1 wrote:

Yes, yes and yes and consider the Canon 400 mm F5.6L. It has a longer minimum focus distance and no IS. But it is lighter than the 100-400's, relatively fast focusing and is super sharp wide open. New I believe it's around $1400. Can be had used for $800 or so. This lens has served me well for over 10 years.

Good luck and good shooting.

Cavig

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http://mya6000.smugmug.com

Brilliant! Thank you for the suggestion and it's great to hear a single piece of kit has lasted that long!

And the same to you!

inevitablyissie wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Kenko does make 2.0X and 1.4X teleconverters for the EF-S mount. They should work with the EF-S 55-250mm lens. I have never used one but they might be satisfactory to you. This would extend your effective reach on the 55-250mm to 560mm (1.4X + 1.6 camera crop) or 800mm (2.0X + 1.6 camera crop). Here are links to both:

http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/teleplus/teleplus_hd_dgx_20x_canon.html

http://www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/teleplus/teleplus_hd_dgx_14x_canon.html

Just keep in mind that teleconverters raise your effective aperture and can affect auto focus speed/accuracy.

Edit: Just found another brand

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Pro-Autofocus-2x-Teleconverter/dp/B00QB5JKD6

Interesting, I didn't realise they had actually been made for EF-S lenses.

It does seriously increase the length of my lens which would be great but I think the effect it has on the aperture and focus systems could make shooting quite difficult, even though I love trying manual focus now and then

Thank you for the links and suggestions though!

As you do have the precious 70-200 f/2.8 I would suggest that you look for a good 1.4× or even 2× TC for that. I think image quality and aperture (light wise and to have a nice narrow DOF) might even be better than with a 150-600, although your reach will be slightly shorter.

I myself do have the Tamron 150-600mm as a TC on my 70-200 f/4 was not a realistic option. This Tamron or one of the Sigmas would answer your needs as well, but at a higher price (moneywise) and i rather doubt whether this will match the quality of your L lens with TC.

I am happy with my Tamron though.

Cropped

All shot with 7D (mk 1), cropped but all pixels available.