first step up lens

[ddubya70]

just bought camera last Christmas, canon rebel 5i, came with standard 18-55mm lens. I want to upgrade and all the crap I read is too technical. I just photograph family stuff and want to start some outdoor wildlife and scenery. I've researched a bit and I'm leaning toward 70-200 f/2.8 usm. Opinions/advice?
thanks and hello for first time

 

[Derrel]

For scenery, a LOT of photos will be shot at f/5.6, f/6.3, f/7.1, or f/8, meaning that the 70-200mm f/4 L-IS USM lens would make a great lens for your camera; the f/2.8 maximum aperture adds a substantial amount of weight and mass to a lens that would most likely be fine art f/4 wide-open if ever needed, and LIKELY would be shot a whole lot at f/5.6. The f/4 model is so much lighter and more handy to pack around.

For "wildlife", a 200mm length really is not very long at all, unless you mean like ducks at the city park, or the bears in their enclosure at the metro zoo, and things like that. Much wildlife and birding is done with VERY long lenses, like the 150-600mm type zooms.

For less money, there are non-L grade lens options from Canon, or from Tamron or Sigma, like 70-300mm f/4~f/5.6 or f/.4.5~5.6 offerings in the $199-$259 price range.

 

[ddubya70]

just bought camera last Christmas, canon rebel 5i, came with standard 18-55mm lens. I want to upgrade and all the crap I read is too technical. I just photograph family stuff and want to start some outdoor wildlife and scenery. I've researched a bit and I'm leaning toward 70-200 f/2.8 usm. Opinions/advice?
thanks and hello for first time

thanks derrel for the info, greatly appreciated. so the distance from 200-300mm has that much significance?

 

[ddubya70]

just bought camera last Christmas, canon rebel 5i, came with standard 18-55mm lens. I want to upgrade and all the crap I read is too technical. I just photograph family stuff and want to start some outdoor wildlife and scenery. I've researched a bit and I'm leaning toward 70-200 f/2.8 usm. Opinions/advice?
thanks and hello for first time

also....I have a few eagles that nest on my property and I'm looking to get excellent pics of them

 

[zombiesniper]

I completely agree with Derrel on the 70-200mm F4 IS. It is a great lens and will save you a decent amount.
For wildlife the more reach the better. My son Zombiesniper Jr. runs the same camera with a Canon 400mm F5.6 and it was also my first camera lens combination.

 

[Designer]

Go ahead and get the 70-200, and then start saving up for a longer lens for birding. PS; you might also need more equipment for birding anyway, so save up a lot.

 

[beagle100]

just bought camera last Christmas, canon rebel 5i, came with standard 18-55mm lens. I want to upgrade and all the crap I read is too technical. I just photograph family stuff and want to start some outdoor wildlife and scenery. I've researched a bit and I'm leaning toward 70-200 f/2.8 usm. Opinions/advice?
thanks and hello for first time

also....I have a few eagles that nest on my property and I'm looking to get excellent pics of them

the 70-200 2.8 is nice but you're going to need more focal length for eagles (and most other birds)

 

[mdruziak]

just bought camera last Christmas, canon rebel 5i, came with standard 18-55mm lens. I want to upgrade and all the crap I read is too technical. I just photograph family stuff and want to start some outdoor wildlife and scenery. I've researched a bit and I'm leaning toward 70-200 f/2.8 usm. Opinions/advice?
thanks and hello for first time

also....I have a few eagles that nest on my property and I'm looking to get excellent pics of them

This will work for the eagles Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens 2746B002 B&H Photo Video

Either that or get a Canon SX60HS. That camera works quite well for wildlife if the light is good.

This was taken with an SX50HS from about 300 yards away. Not the best photo, but better than nothing!