Struck a SWEET Deal with My Parents

photoshooterOTW · May 10, 2014

So, on a walk today (and yes, I did take my camera with me haha) I struck an awesome deal with my parents- I'm so proud of myself! :mrgreen: If I get a job this summer, I can buy ANY lens I want (....well in reasonable limit- soooooo like less than 1k) AND my parents will give it in advance. So like, I could buy a lens, work it off for a month, then buy another one, then pay it off. GAHHHH! So now I'm choosing

I really want to go into Bird Photography, and I've been doing alot of research (so old topics here, and online). I guess I should start off with the lenses I'm thinking of:

Tamron 70-200 (vc or non-vc i dunno yet - TBD)
Tamron 70-300 (vc or non-vc-TBD)
Sigma 150-500 (stabilization or not)
Note: I don't remember which one, but I remember that getting stabilization for one of these like doubles the price, so that won't happen.

Nothing really against Canon lenses- online I'm just finding third-party lenses better in general. Now- its deciding what to go for. From what I've read, the 70-200 might be a bit too short, and the low aperture isn't really necessary for me (2.8) but nice sharpness. The 70-300 doesn't seem too bad from what I've heard, and the focal length is fine if you're a good "hunter" but the quality isnt as good as the 70-200. I know the least about the last lens, but that's a prettttyyy long focal length. ( and the price is like 900$) Plus I don't want to really spoil myself and become heavily dependent on the focal length (especially as I'm a beginner). So- at the end of the day, what do you suggest? Something I can use to learn, but still have good use for in the future. (so I won't really have to replace it unless I just wanna buy something) Anything else I should look at as well? I wouldn't mind any tips for getting into birds either haha! (i guess message if you want to!)

Thanks,
OH and GO HABSSS

D-B-J · May 10, 2014

What about the new Tamron 150-600? I've heard it's getting GREAT reviews for a "budget" telephoto. Hopefully someone with more birding experience will chime in. For me, 200mm is WAYY too short for birding--I'd want more like 400+mm.

Cheers!
Jake

And congrats on the deal! Just make sure you don't outspend yourself.. it's VERY easy to do with camera gear.

sm4him · May 10, 2014

Well, of the lenses you've listed there, if you want to get into Bird Photography, I'd definitely go with the Sigma 150-500; that's the lens I have for birding, and I love it.
I, like many others, am very likely going to try the Tamron 150-600 when the Nikon mount ever comes out, but I may be old(er) and gray(er) before that ever happens. However, the Canon mount is already available, so I'd look into that.

I also just bought the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 NON-VC version. I've only had it about a week, but it is quickly becoming a favorite lens. However, I don't plan to use it for birding, except under some specific circumstances, when I can really get close enough to the birds to consider that short length. I wanted the 70-200 more for portrait/people shots.

90% of the time, and then some, you're going to want more than 200, or even 300, for birds.

nzmacro · May 11, 2014

Gees, 200mm is darn short for bird photography. I would consider anything wider than 300mm an ultra wide angle. 300 is not bad on APS-C, but my main lens is a 500mm. The new Tamron 150-600 is excellent going by the shots we have seen so far on here and at its cost, a bargain IMO. Sigma is going to have problems selling the 150-500mm and will have to slash the cost and come out with something new, again IMO. That Tamron is pretty sharp if you look at the DXO report, look out Canon

400 is not a bad focal length and Canon does have a good one with the F/5.6L. The other Canon 400mm lenses you will need a mortgage for. Nikon is also excellent, so no problems there, but that Tamron is looking pretty darn good so far.

BY the way Sharon, I was out with Toya today and she had the Sigma 150-500 on a Canon 7D, she also has the Tamron ordered

Not available here yet for Canon.

Danny.

photoshooterOTW · May 11, 2014

D-B-J said:
What about the new Tamron 150-600? I've heard it's getting GREAT reviews for a "budget" telephoto. Hopefully someone with more birding experience will chime in. For me, 200mm is WAYY too short for birding--I'd want more like 400+mm.

Cheers!
Jake

And congrats on the deal! Just make sure you don't outspend yourself.. it's VERY easy to do with camera gear.

The issue with the Tamron is the price- It's pretty much $300-400 more than prices in the US and elsewhere. So today if I go to buy it- It's 1400+tax.....

Ok- I'll keep the focal length in mind- Thanks!

sm4him said:
Well, of the lenses you've listed there, if you want to get into Bird Photography, I'd definitely go with the Sigma 150-500; that's the lens I have for birding, and I love it.
I, like many others, am very likely going to try the Tamron 150-600 when the Nikon mount ever comes out, but I may be old(er) and gray(er) before that ever happens. However, the Canon mount is already available, so I'd look into that.

I also just bought the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 NON-VC version. I've only had it about a week, but it is quickly becoming a favorite lens. However, I don't plan to use it for birding, except under some specific circumstances, when I can really get close enough to the birds to consider that short length. I wanted the 70-200 more for portrait/people shots.

90% of the time, and then some, you're going to want more than 200, or even 300, for birds.

I'm really considering the Sigma right now- just cause the Tamron is out of budget... which really sucks (but I'll keep looking). I'm thinking the 70-200 will be the next lens after this! Thanks!

nzmacro said:
Gees, 200mm is darn short for bird photography. I would consider anything wider than 300mm an ultra wide angle. 300 is not bad on APS-C, but my main lens is a 500mm. The new Tamron 150-600 is excellent going by the shots we have seen so far on here and at its cost, a bargain IMO. Sigma is going to have problems selling the 150-500mm and will have to slash the cost and come out with something new, again IMO. That Tamron is pretty sharp if you look at the DXO report, look out Canon

400 is not a bad focal length and Canon does have a good one with the F/5.6L. The other Canon 400mm lenses you will need a mortgage for. Nikon is also excellent, so no problems there, but that Tamron is looking pretty darn good so far.

BY the way Sharon, I was out with Toya today and she had the Sigma 150-500 on a Canon 7D, she also has the Tamron ordered Not available here yet for Canon.

Danny.

Haha- PLZZZ Slash the cost :lmao: So it seems the repeating pattern is 400+ ish- leaning to the Sigma right now. Thanks guys! Any input still appreciated!