Rebel t7 vs rebel t6i vs 70d . Lens for all would be tamron 18-400.

I would stay away from the T7 (without the "i").  The Canon T7i (800D) camera is a lot better with the in-camera sensor cleaning capability.  The Canon T6i and 70D are good also.  I would read the specs on all of them and also some internet reviews.

Welcome!

The Tamron 18-400mm is a very good lens although it has apparently received “uneven” comments from the users. Certain people simply dismiss it as an average super-zoom lens without actually using it. I have been using it on my Canon 80D and really like it.

I do not photograph birds — both “birds at rest” and “birds in flight.” Note that these are vastly different subjects. The latter, in particular, demands excellent AF support by the camera body.

None of the cameras you mentioned are suitable for the task. The 70D may be OK for birds perching on branches at a distance. The 80D should be better. I recommend a used 80D or T7i body.

Birds in flight? You may need a 90D for photographing them. Some serious photographers may hang on to the 7D Mark II that offers sophisticated AF settings and performance.

I suggest you post a similar question in the Canon 7D-90D forum. There are some excellent “birders” in that forum who may assist you more realistically than I can, regarding both body and lens choices.

Thinking broadly on your question, I urge you to visit the Panasonic Compact Cameras forum. There are some people in that forum who photograph birds, mostly birds perching and ducks swimming, using FZ80, FZ300, FZ1000 and FZ2000 super-zoom hybrid cameras.

Good luck.

I don't have any of the cameras you mentioned, but I can show you what I get with my 24mp Canon T7i (800D) camera (which is similar) and the Tamron 150-600mm lens. This is something that you can think about as you use the starter lens you mentioned. I have thousands of these types of photos. I just grabbed quickly a few I could find this evening that I took this year. For previous years I was also taking good pictures of wildlife with my 18mp Canon T3i (600D) camera with the Tamron 150-600mm lens. You could see those on the past Show Your Snap threads if you went back far enough. I got pictures of deer and elk too, but I would have to look for them. The pictures of the elk I got a few months ago were close to the roadway, so I didn't need the reach of the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Photo No. 1 - Female Merganser Duck....

Photo No. 2 - Cormorant with the blue eye....

Photo No. 3 - Here's one at ISO6400. This is a male Wood Duck under cloudy weather. That's why the water is gray.

Photo No. 4 - Male Mallard Duck with lots of clouds.... I live in the rainy part of Oregon and I need a good DSLR to capture the action under dark skies.

Photo No. 5 - Canada Geese....

Those sample images are gorgeous!

Thanks.  It's a fun hobby for me and I hope for everyone else.

Ikl land wrote:

Also, is the tamron 100-400 lens better for birds than the 18-400? From what I’ve read, it is.

Yes, it is.

Ikl land wrote:

As you stated, the 7d mark II is great, but out of my budget. Is the original 7d better than the 70d?

I would go for the 70D.

Ikl land wrote:

Ikl land wrote:

AshleyMC wrote:

Welcome!

The Tamron 18-400mm is a very good lens although it has apparently received “uneven” comments from the users. Certain people simply dismiss it as an average super-zoom lens without actually using it. I have been using it on my Canon 80D and really like it.

I do not photograph birds — both “birds at rest” and “birds in flight.” Note that these are vastly different subjects. The latter, in particular, demands excellent AF support by the camera body.

None of the cameras you mentioned are suitable for the task. The 70D may be OK for birds perching on branches at a distance. The 80D should be better. I recommend a used 80D or T7i body.

Birds in flight? You may need a 90D for photographing them. Some serious photographers may hang on to the 7D Mark II that offers sophisticated AF settings and performance.

I suggest you post a similar question in the Canon 7D-90D forum. There are some excellent “birders” in that forum who may assist you more realistically than I can, regarding both body and lens choices.

Thinking broadly on your question, I urge you to visit the Panasonic Compact Cameras forum. There are some people in that forum who photograph birds, mostly birds perching and ducks swimming, using FZ80, FZ300, FZ1000 and FZ2000 super-zoom hybrid cameras.

Good luck.

Also, is the tamron 100-400 lens better for birds than the 18-400? From what I’ve read, it is.

I believe the 100-400 is better. I forgot to mention that I have recently decided I’m gonna get the 100-400 instead, as I’ve seen that that is better for bird photography. Sorry, forgot to mention that. Thanks everybody! This site is really a great place for photography!

I suggest you rent both lenses and see what you get. Downside to the 100-400 is close in action shooting is limited, especially BIF as that 100mm reach is too long for close shots. Spend time on Flickr to see IQ from both. A inexpensive additional lens with solid IQ is the Canon 55-250. It's a must have for Canon shooters for action shooting and would pare well with the 100-400 or Tamron/Sigma 150-600.

Ikl land wrote:

Ikl land wrote:

AshleyMC wrote:

Welcome!

The Tamron 18-400mm is a very good lens although it has apparently received “uneven” comments from the users. Certain people simply dismiss it as an average super-zoom lens without actually using it. I have been using it on my Canon 80D and really like it.

I do not photograph birds — both “birds at rest” and “birds in flight.” Note that these are vastly different subjects. The latter, in particular, demands excellent AF support by the camera body.

None of the cameras you mentioned are suitable for the task. The 70D may be OK for birds perching on branches at a distance. The 80D should be better. I recommend a used 80D or T7i body.

Birds in flight? You may need a 90D for photographing them. Some serious photographers may hang on to the 7D Mark II that offers sophisticated AF settings and performance.

I suggest you post a similar question in the Canon 7D-90D forum. There are some excellent “birders” in that forum who may assist you more realistically than I can, regarding both body and lens choices.

Thinking broadly on your question, I urge you to visit the Panasonic Compact Cameras forum. There are some people in that forum who photograph birds, mostly birds perching and ducks swimming, using FZ80, FZ300, FZ1000 and FZ2000 super-zoom hybrid cameras.

Good luck.

Also, is the tamron 100-400 lens better for birds than the 18-400? From what I’ve read, it is.

I believe the 100-400 is better. I forgot to mention that I have recently decided I’m gonna get the 100-400 instead, as I’ve seen that that is better for bird photography. Sorry, forgot to mention that. Thanks everybody! This site is really a great place for photography!

have you considered a canon/nikon bridge camera with a long reach super telephoto lens?  many birders prefer the reach of those lens.

Ikl land wrote:

bridge77 wrote:

Ikl land wrote:

Ikl land wrote:

AshleyMC wrote:

Welcome!

The Tamron 18-400mm is a very good lens although it has apparently received “uneven” comments from the users. Certain people simply dismiss it as an average super-zoom lens without actually using it. I have been using it on my Canon 80D and really like it.

I do not photograph birds — both “birds at rest” and “birds in flight.” Note that these are vastly different subjects. The latter, in particular, demands excellent AF support by the camera body.

None of the cameras you mentioned are suitable for the task. The 70D may be OK for birds perching on branches at a distance. The 80D should be better. I recommend a used 80D or T7i body.

Birds in flight? You may need a 90D for photographing them. Some serious photographers may hang on to the 7D Mark II that offers sophisticated AF settings and performance.

I suggest you post a similar question in the Canon 7D-90D forum. There are some excellent “birders” in that forum who may assist you more realistically than I can, regarding both body and lens choices.

Thinking broadly on your question, I urge you to visit the Panasonic Compact Cameras forum. There are some people in that forum who photograph birds, mostly birds perching and ducks swimming, using FZ80, FZ300, FZ1000 and FZ2000 super-zoom hybrid cameras.

Good luck.

Also, is the tamron 100-400 lens better for birds than the 18-400? From what I’ve read, it is.

I believe the 100-400 is better. I forgot to mention that I have recently decided I’m gonna get the 100-400 instead, as I’ve seen that that is better for bird photography. Sorry, forgot to mention that. Thanks everybody! This site is really a great place for photography!

have you considered a canon/nikon bridge camera with a long reach super telephoto lens? many birders prefer the reach of those lens.

I havea Super zoom point and shoot. Panasonic fez 80. It’s zoom is up to 3,000mm!

I want a DSLR and am not worried about not enough zoom, as I will be keeping my P and S.

i think you are talking about this one: Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Digital Camera

nice camera and features...

Key Features

• 18.1MP 1/2.3" MOS Sensor
• Lumix DC Vario 60x Zoom Lens
• 20-1200mm (35mm Equivalent)
• 1.166m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
• 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
• 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
• Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
• ISO 6400, 10 fps Shooting, 4K Photo Mode
• Post Focus and Focus Stacking
• POWER O.I.S., DFD AF System