Canon body and lens for birding

Paul, I have been using the Tamron 150-600mm lens with the Canon T3i (600D) and the Canon T7i (800D) cameras for many years.  If $2500 is his budget I would suggest the Canon 90D and either the Tamron 150-600mm or Sigma 150-600mm lenses.  I haven't read the reviews lately about those lenses or know what's best between them.

This is what I get with the Canon T7i (800D) and the Tamron 150-600mm G1 lens.  I have hundreds of these wood duck pictures.  I just picked one at random quickly.  I can use up to ISO5000 easily.  This was taken under cloudy skies in the shadows of some trees.

Here's one with the Canon T3i (600D) camera and Tamron 150-600mm lens. I would keep the shutter speed less under cloudy skies, so the ISO levels were lower. It worked out great that way, as long as a person can keep the combination steady while using it without a tripod. The Tamron 150-600mm lens is so big, that it takes a while to get used to it. Cradling it works best for me (when carrying).

Hello Digirame,

Very nice images.  Thanks for the input -- it was exactly the type of information I was seeking.

EOS R6 for the camera.
Version ii of the EF 100-400 for the lens.

What's the costs for that?  I believe the budget was $2500.

I have been looking at the EOS R camera, which is less cost than the R6.  The Canon 100-400mm ii lens is used by some photographers with a converter.  But the costs are very high compared to some third party lenses that reach out to 600mm focal length.

Thanks for the inputs.  I'm sure that the EOS R and EOS R6 would be good choices, but with the lens, even the EOS R is about $1,700 more than my friend's budget.  Hence a less expensive DSLR would be a better choice if he buys the lens.

Both the Canon 90D and the Canon T7i (800D) cameras have a crop factor of 1.6 which helps with wildlife photography. Rocket13 (you can find him on the Show Your Snaps thread) has used both the Tamron 150-600mm and the Canon 100-400mm ii lenses. You could ask him about the differences. I believe the Canon 100-400mm ii lens will show better image quality. But with the Tamron 150-600mm lens I find if I'm careful with the depth of field and control the camera/lens shake that the photos look excellent. He likes that the Canon 100-400mm ii lens is lighter and easier to use. You can read more about the lens comparison here.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4088485

I was thinking about getting the 32.5mp Canon 90D (and I still may in the future), but the 24mp Canon T7i (800D) camera was more than half the cost. I got it on Ebay for $505 (USD), including shipping.  But that was last year.  The prices have gone up since then to about a hundred dollars more.

Thanks for your continuing interest and assistance, Digirame.

The T7i and T8i are very good choices but don't forget the svelte size SL3 which is a excellent camera and does have the dual pixel focus. I'm taking a long look at it pared with a 55-250 STM lens. I can add the Tamrom 18-400 if I need more reach. While the 150-600 will really get one out there in reach, the lens is too big for my hiking/backpacking/travel needs.