Recommend a lens

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eternaloptimist

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Hey all,
I have a Canon crop 600D camera. I will be doing a big trip to Moz, Zim and Botswana soon. I want to bring my camera along but not sure which lens would be best for a bit of landscape and wildlife. Any recommendations?

Thanks
 
I normally just use the kit lens for general shooting (landscapes and around camp). For wildlife, you'll want at least 300mm. The down side is that you'll have to change lenses.

Its really nice to have two cameras - one for general shooting, and another with a telephoto for wildlife :) Even a basic point-and-shoot is handy to carry around when you have the telephoto fitted to the 600D.

Not sure what you want to spend... How about the 100-400mm Canon lens? The old or new model?
 
A standard EF-S 18-200mm should cover most of what you need. Not the fastest lens, but it will at least let you get what you need without having to switch lenses and miss a photo opportunity. Not badly priced either.

Anything over and beyond that is a score. but the 18-200 will be your bread and butter.
 
You didnt mention your budget

Single lens - no changing

- Under R5000

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC Macro OS HSM Lens
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Lens
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZC Lens

- R5000 - R10 000

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens
Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Contempory Lens

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/
 
Hi guys,

So I'm in the market for a nice telephoto lens, to replace my el cheapo sigma, that I can do some bird/sport photography with. For the sports will mainly be aiming for shooting kite/normal surfers so obviously distance is quite important given that I'm limited by the water in how close, personally, i can get.

I have 2 lenses in mind, just to give an idea of my budget and they are:
https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f-2-8-di-vc-usd-lens-for-canon
https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-ef-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-l-is-usm-lens

Obviously the canon is a little slower but is also cheaper, and for outdoors is a faster lens really necessary?

What about this DEMO lens at Orms: https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/demo-s...-apo-dg-os-hsm-lens-canon-rating-10-10-s10546

Any other recommendations from the pro's would be greatly appreciated. Lastly the camera being used is a Canon 70D.

Thanks in advance.
 
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creeper said:
Tamron 150-600mm
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I did eyeball it but overlooked it due to being f/5. How big a deal is the aperture rating? Like does it only dictate in which lighting conditions you can shoot in or does it affect other aspects as well?

I understand the principles of aperture but something in me tells me there is more to it considering the price difference between an f/4 and f/2.8

edit: and then its also the weight thing for handheld. 2kg is pretty heavy without a monopod
 
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Think of this way. For every stop, you gain double the light. So. F2,8 allows double the light of f4. f4 allows double the light of f5.6. The same applies to ISO. Iso200 allows double the light to be captured than ISO100. The biggest trick in long lens photography is to shoot with an aperture ISO combo to ensure that you get 1/focal length shutter speed. So. If you shoot at 400mm. Your shutter speed should be min 1/400s. Long explanation, but needed. So, if you are going to shoot in daytime, you should r have a problem. But if you shoot in dusk or dawn and your camera can't do high ISO well, then you are going to have problems.

The tamron lacks a shallow aperture, so your camera should be able to do high ISO to keep the shutter speed high enough to prevent camera blur
 
acidrain said:
I did eyeball it but overlooked it due to being f/5. How big a deal is the aperture rating? Like does it only dictate in which lighting conditions you can shoot in or does it affect other aspects as well?

I understand the principles of aperture but something in me tells me there is more to it considering the price difference between an f/4 and f/2.8

edit: and then its also the weight thing for handheld. 2kg is pretty heavy without a monopod
Click to expand...

One factor with very long tele lenses is depth of field. A 600 mm f2.8 wide open would give you a depth of field of approximately 3 meters for an object 100 meters away. Your focus will need to be very good and the subject would have to be completely inanimate / comatose. Stopping down to f5.6 will increase the depth of field to approximately 6 meters, which will increase your chances of securing the shot. (and BTW, a 600mm f2.8 might qualify as the most expensive lens sold in the country this year).

As for the weight, I sometimes carry a similarly heavy lens around all day. You will really need either a shoulder bag with a padded strap or else a Black Rapid sling.
 
acidrain said:
Hi guys,

So I'm in the market for a nice telephoto lens, to replace my el cheapo sigma, that I can do some bird/sport photography with. For the sports will mainly be aiming for shooting kite/normal surfers so obviously distance is quite important given that I'm limited by the water in how close, personally, i can get.

I have 2 lenses in mind, just to give an idea of my budget and they are:
https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/tamron-sp-70-200mm-f-2-8-di-vc-usd-lens-for-canon
https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-ef-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-l-is-usm-lens

Obviously the canon is a little slower but is also cheaper, and for outdoors is a faster lens really necessary?

What about this DEMO lens at Orms: https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/demo-s...-apo-dg-os-hsm-lens-canon-rating-10-10-s10546
Any other recommendations from the pro's would be greatly appreciated. Lastly the camera being used is a Canon 70D.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Both those lenses are a little short for kite/surfing - well at least around these parts they would be. Most of the guys shoot 400mm or longer even with crop bodies which will give you an extra 1.6x boost. Same goes for avian photography as well.

Having a fast lens can be useful beyond the amount of light you can shoot in. A shallow DOF lets you isolate your subject from the background which I why I typically shoot as wide open as I can when I'm shooting sports. The better the lens, read more expensive, the better it will perform wide open. It does mean you have to nail the focus though.
 
bwana said:
Both those lenses are a little short for kite/surfing - well at least around these parts they would be. Most of the guys shoot 400mm or longer even with crop bodies which will give you an extra 1.6x boost. Same goes for avian photography as well.
Click to expand...

I'd tend to agree. I think 300mm would frustrate you (even on a crop body) and give you a lot more background than subject for surfer or bird under most conditions. 400 mm might be OK, at 500mm you should be happier, 600mm would be great. Would of course depend on where you are taking these pictures.
 
Cool thanks for all the advice guys.

Think I've settled on the Tamron 150-600 and also youtube videos appeared quite favorable, considering its cost.
 
acidrain said:
Cool thanks for all the advice guys.

Think I've settled on the Tamron 150-600 and also youtube videos appeared quite favorable, considering its cost.
Click to expand...

The new Sigma 150-600 is also supposed to be pretty good.

Sports and avian can end up being two very deep money pits if you're not careful. :o
 
bwana said:
The new Sigma 150-600 is also supposed to be pretty good.
Sports and avian can end up being two very deep money pits if you're not careful. :o
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Haha yes I'm starting to realise this and I'm not even close to where I want to be equipment wise :(

Edit: That Signma lens... that's like double the price tag of the Tamron... I wish, but I can't ( that is if you are referring to the sport Lens and not contemporary )
 
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The first thing you need to come to terms with is the budget, what you are prepared to spend at the max. Then suitable recommendations can be made.

In a lot of cases spending more on a good quality lense that will facilitate an extender is a much better option (quality wise), than going for straight out overall reach with a budget zoom or prime.
Primes are better for this, zooms, and cheaper zooms tend to have sweet spots that work really well, but when you are outside of that the results are iffy. AF speed and functionality also plays a role with extender use on certain glass/bodies.
 
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eternaloptimist said:
Hey all,
I have a Canon crop 600D camera. I will be doing a big trip to Moz, Zim and Botswana soon. I want to bring my camera along but not sure which lens would be best for a bit of landscape and wildlife. Any recommendations?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Disregard the 150-600mm options for now - be it Tamron or Sigma.
The 18-55 EFS will be ok for landscapes but look at the 50mm Nifty Fifty / Fantastic Plastic at about R 1000 or so. Just get one anyway , you will not regret it.
Longer lens on a budget ? Canon EF 70-300 USM Mk II , gives up to 480mm on the crop sensor . Shoot 800 ISO F8 and AV. Cheap as used kit . That fills the Camera bag nicely and is not heavy or large to travel with.
Even a 120-400 Siggy is a lot to carry around.
 
AhComment said:
Longer lens on a budget ? Canon EF 70-300 USM Mk II ,
Click to expand...

My first zoom on a 350D canon body, did the job and I learnt a lot while using it.
The zoom itself was a little irritating when moving around as the lense had a tenancy to just extend on its own if left and 'knock' rather hard. There is/was a locking function on it to prevent this from memory.
Still, a nice starter zoom, really good value.

Form factor, agree very easy to carry around and not in the least bit heavy. (but that says something in itself)

edit: Mine was this old one
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/65311593/Canon+Ef+70-300mm+F_4+-+5.6+Is+Usm
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
 
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Sneeky said:
My first zoom on a 350D canon body, did the job and I learnt a lot while using it.
The zoom itself was a little irritating when moving around as the lense had a tenancy to just extend on its own if left and 'knock' rather hard. There is/was a locking function on it to prevent this from memory.
Still, a nice starter zoom, really good value.

Form factor, agree very easy to carry around and not in the least bit heavy. (but that says something in itself)

edit: Mine was this old one
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/65311593/Canon+Ef+70-300mm+F_4+-+5.6+Is+Usm
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Click to expand...

Don't think there is a Mk2 anyway. There is a new L version that looks pretty decent.
 
Another alternative might be to rent the lens if your trip is not going to be too long. A 150-600 costs R336 per day from ODP. If you are worried about the light or just want to indulge the Canon 400 F2.8 prime is available at R600 per day, as is the 600mm F4.
 
Hi. I have a few L lenses for sale if u still looking. PM me..my photo studio closing down.
 
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