What lense could I use ?

[jrbtech]

Hey all.

I have a minolta Maxxum 4 camera, and I need a lense to take some pictures of some deer. I know its probably not the best camera in the world, but its what I got.

Anywho, I;ve been looking at all sorts of telephoto lenses, and there are a lots of choices.

These deer I want to take photos of are anywhere from 300 - 1000 yard away.

What kinda of lense would i need to take close ups from 1000 yards away?
Could anyone refer me to a how-to or noob page with some info on what lense to use, at what distance etc..?

Thanks a ton
-Jim
:thumbup:

 

[Digital Matt]

1000 yards? Close up? You need a telescope.

I think you are going to have to try and get a little closer than that. A 300mm prime would be a great investment, but they aren't cheap. You can get a 70-200mm lens much cheaper, but you'll have to get even closer. I wouldn't be any further than 50-70 yards with a 300mm to get a "closeup".

 

[jrbtech]

OK thats helpfull. 100yards, 300MM lense. I know I know, I'm a big noob. Sorry for that.
So those 500MM lense at 150-200 yards wouldnt do me any good ?
Like these ?

Like these ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3342&item=3867727869&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3342&item=3868921215&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3342&item=3868917549&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3342&item=3868905929&rd=1

And what about this bad boy ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3342&item=3868893091&rd=1


( I have no problems getting close, but some of the land is posted )

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

As you have found, there are many different telephoto lenses. A basic rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. You could use some of these lenses but don't expect to get photos that will look sharp enough to hang on a wall.

One thing to watch for is the maximum aperture of the lenses. That's the biggest that the lens can open. (Smaller F numbers mean bigger opening). If the lens does not open very much, the shutter will have to stay open longer to compensate...wich means that both the camera & the deer would have to remain perfectly still to get a sharp photo.

One of those lenses that you linked to...the 600mm - 1000mm zoom. The maximum aperture at 600mm was F9.9 and at 1000mm it is F16. That is not very good at all. You would have to shoot in very, very bright light and or use extremely fast film to get shots of deer with that lens. You would most certainly need to use a tripod and cable release as well.

Unfortunately, long lenses that have large apertures are very, very expensive.

 

[jrbtech]

Yeah I noticed that. Well I suppose I can experiment a bit, and see what works for my conditions. The pictures are mostly for study, not really publishing, but I may want to hang some or what not if I get a good one.

Thanks for the advise and information.

 

[Digital Matt]

I think part of the fun of wildlife photography, as with hunting, is getting into position to photograph your subject. I love creeping quietly and stealithy through the woods to sneak up on wildlife. I think if you can get within 50 yards, which shouldn't be too extremely hard with deer, then you can use a fast telephoto prime, and shoot handheld.

As for the land being posted, find out who owns it, and ask permission to photograph there. I doubt someone would have a problem. More than likely they don't want people hunting.

 

[jrbtech]

I agree, if I can bow hunt, this should be easy right?
Well we had some fawns come withing 10 yards of us and they had no clue. My worry is shutter noise. I hope my new camera isnt noisy. I just bought it today. That about all I could afford.

Is this you forum? Its cool. I'll make sure and post some pictures for you when I get things rollin.

I have some Bears I need to take photos of too.

 

[steve817]

Look up "digiscoping" on Google. In short it's where you use a spotting scope and a digital camera like a Nikon 990 or 995. These two items together would be cheaper than a 300mm prime lens.