recommendation for lens collecting :-)

[Meesh Fink]

I am trying to decide how to fill out my kit, and am looking for recommendations. At this point, I have 7D, 28-135, 100-400, 400 f/5.6, and 1.4x converter. One primary goal is to take raptor shots this winter. Another goal is wildflower & garden flower photography... Ya know, flowers, bees, butterflies, etc.

I have the funds for a used 500L, but am not sure that's the best choice at this time. First, I am practicing tracking small birds, and the 400 is honestly more than I can handle as far as FL. It's much easier for me with the 100-400 ratcheted down to about 300mm (tracking pond swallows, for ex.). Second, the 400 is so nicely sized, I got spoiled fast. I do have an OM 350 that is about the same weight as the 500 so I know I can deal with the weight, but geeze... Do I want to? I am not sure.

Anyway, I'm torn between something like a 10-22 UWA, the 60 or 100 macro, and the 500L. It's quite a broad range! The last nagging thought in my head is that maybe a 400 f/2.8 would be worth it's weight in gold for low light wildlife photos, but then I'd have 3 lenses covering 400mm!

Suggestions are welcome & appreciated. :)

Thx,
Meesh

[James Prudente]

Meesh,

The 400mm f 5.6 is in my opinion the best BIF lens you have, it is very sharp, lightening fast AF and very light weight. Combined with the 7D using the appropriate AF settings it will be an excellent choice for raptors. If you are going to really get into small bird photography then you need to consider the 500/600/800 lenses and chose the one that will fit your budget and photographic needs.

Jim

[David Stephens]

Have you got a really good tripod and gimbal? If you haven't, then that's the next logical step to me. Go ahead and get something that'll work with the 500mm for when you move up to it. I'm using an Induro C414 (now the CT414) with the Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick. New, that'll set you back around $1500. I bought mine when I only had the 400mm f/5.6L and it improved the quality of those shots as compared to using a pretty good Manfrotto and the Manfrotto gimbal.

Finding a good used 500mm f/4 is hard to find. I couldn't find one and the pricing that I did see seemed to offer too little discount over the new price. Still, if you can find one, you should be well protected from cost devaluation.

[Alfred Forns]

Don't think you need another 400 lens, particularly the 2.8. The 500 4.0 IS is one fine lens and could be the heart of your system with all others working as support ..... It all boils down needs. If in doubt rent one and see !

[Julie Brown]

Hi Meesh. Great advice from James, Dave, and Al. I would definitely recommend renting to get a feel for the lens you are interested in. I rented the 400 f2.8 with a gimbal head and that is a heavy kit. My next rental this month will be the 500 f4L. I also have rented the 300 f2.8 a couple of times. Because of the price of these lenses, renting is the way to go for me right now.

[Danny J Brown]

Meesh - The 500/4 L will make a hobby photographer passionate and a passionate photographer....well, obsessed. I can't recommend it enough as it will change everything.

DB

P.S. The Wimberley II is a brilliant piece of equipment but the lighter, Mongoose that Artie and the boys use is supposed to be nice as well. At any rate, you'll need a gimbal head.

[Meesh Fink]

Thanks James - I don't know that I will get THAT into small bird photography. I enjoy it, but perhaps in part because I can easily hike around with the 400 f/5.6 while doing it. :)

Meesh,

The 400mm f 5.6 is in my opinion the best BIF lens you have, it is very sharp, lightening fast AF and very light weight. Combined with the 7D using the appropriate AF settings it will be an excellent choice for raptors. If you are going to really get into small bird photography then you need to consider the 500/600/800 lenses and chose the one that will fit your budget and photographic needs.

Jim

[Meesh Fink]

Thanks David - I have a Bogen 3021, it's 20 years old but still going strong, and a Manfrotto 393 that I got last year for working in a blind. It's not deluxe rigging, but it's OK for starter gear. I am feeling a little discouraged about buying a new CF tripod after breaking the leg on my almost new Gitzo monopod (3 series). :( Grrrr.

That said, last Fall I was just getting started shooting birds and mostly shot raptors from my truck during winter using a window beanbag.

I do realize that for a 500L, I would need to get serious about upgrading my tripod and head. My friend has a 500L and I got to play with it this weekend on a Gitzo + Wimberley. I can borrow his lens, but I really would rather not be a borrower on precious items like that. :D

Have you got a really good tripod and gimbal? If you haven't, then that's the next logical step to me. Go ahead and get something that'll work with the 500mm for when you move up to it. I'm using an Induro C414 (now the CT414) with the Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick. New, that'll set you back around $1500. I bought mine when I only had the 400mm f/5.6L and it improved the quality of those shots as compared to using a pretty good Manfrotto and the Manfrotto gimbal.

Finding a good used 500mm f/4 is hard to find. I couldn't find one and the pricing that I did see seemed to offer too little discount over the new price. Still, if you can find one, you should be well protected from cost devaluation.

[Meesh Fink]

Don't think you need another 400 lens, particularly the 2.8. The 500 4.0 IS is one fine lens and could be the heart of your system with all others working as support ..... It all boils down needs. If in doubt rent one and see !

Thanks Alfred. Need... I guess that is part of the issue. I don't feel the need for it yet, and possibly it would be a distraction from really learning to use my 400 f/5.6 well. :) Want is a whole 'nother ball game. ;)

[Meesh Fink]

Thanks Julie - interesting idea - I hadn't thought of renting for a month at a time. That sounds like a good plan. :) After lugging around the OM 350, I thought the 400 f/2.8 felt pretty good. :D Uff-da.

Hi Meesh. Great advice from James, Dave, and Al. I would definitely recommend renting to get a feel for the lens you are interested in. I rented the 400 f2.8 with a gimbal head and that is a heavy kit. My next rental this month will be the 500 f4L. I also have rented the 300 f2.8 a couple of times. Because of the price of these lenses, renting is the way to go for me right now.

[Meesh Fink]

Ooooh, I sold everything extra I had for camera gear. 'Obsessed' is an understatement. :eek:

Meesh - The 500/4 L will make a hobby photographer passionate and a passionate photographer....well, obsessed. I can't recommend it enough as it will change everything.

DB

P.S. The Wimberley II is a brilliant piece of equipment but the lighter, Mongoose that Artie and the boys use is supposed to be nice as well. At any rate, you'll need a gimbal head.

[David Stephens]

I do realize that for a 500L, I would need to get serious about upgrading my tripod and head. My friend has a 500L and I got to play with it this weekend on a Gitzo + Wimberley. I can borrow his lens, but I really would rather not be a borrower on precious items like that. :D

Well, how did your friend's rig compare to your Bogen/Manfrotto setup? I bought my Induro/Arca-Swiss/Wimberley (Sidekick) set up when I still only had my 400mm f/4.5L and I noticed an improvement in my images immediately. I bought it in anticipation of the 500mm f/4, but it added stability from day-one. Also, if you're going to consider renting the large lens, why not own a rig that will easily handle those lenses?

Just a thought.

[Meesh Fink]

To be honest, I've yet to use my 400mm on the tripod. It's always setup on the monopod or beanbag! :o

For his 500L, I thought his tripod might be undersized. I think was a 1 series Gitzo.

Just out of embarassment, I WILL take my tripod out this afternoon and use it - spotted some young racoons in a tree den and I'm heading back out to shoot them this afternoon. :-)

Well, how did your friend's rig compare to your Bogen/Manfrotto setup? I bought my Induro/Arca-Swiss/Wimberley (Sidekick) set up when I still only had my 400mm f/4.5L and I noticed an improvement in my images immediately. I bought it in anticipation of the 500mm f/4, but it added stability from day-one. Also, if you're going to consider renting the large lens, why not own a rig that will easily handle those lenses?

Just a thought.

[Julie Brown]

Meesh, the most I rent is for a WEEK at a time! A month would get rather expensive. My camera store also lets me take a lens for a weekend for the cost of one day's rental. That is why I can do this a couple of times a month. BTW, I got a Really Right Stuff monopod head that acts like a gimbal and I like it a lot. Also, I just got the 400mm f5.6 because I am more interested in BIF now-so I agree with your thinking on that one.:)

[Arthur Morris]

With such diverse options my first advice is to look in the mirror and ask what you really want to photograph.... That will make your decision for you. Birds and wildlife: the 500. Flowers and bugs: the macro. Scenic photographer: the wide angle zoom.

[Desmond Chan]

With such diverse options my first advice is to look in the mirror and ask what you really want to photograph.... That will make your decision for you. Birds and wildlife: the 500. Flowers and bugs: the macro. Scenic photographer: the wide angle zoom.

Should be an easy decision ;)

[Meesh Fink]

Should be an easy decision ;)

Yeah - I want it ALL! That's not too much to ask, is it ????

I decided to pick up a 10-22 first since wildflower season is upon us, a better tripod setup next, and a little later a 500L. That will give me time to work with the 400.

BTW I put the 400 on a tripod to shoot baby racoons and the fur detail is poking my eye out. It's ridiculously sharp.

[William Malacarne]

Meesh

I have the 10-22 and also the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, The 17-55 costs more but in my case it gets a lot more use because it is much more versatile and it is faster cause it is a 2.8 throughout the focal range.

Bill

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Some good advice already given. I would agree with Alfred. Rent the lens and test it yourself. Your needs and expectations may vary from others.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

PS: I liked the word lens collecting. :D

[Meesh Fink]

Meesh

I have the 10-22 and also the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM, The 17-55 costs more but in my case it gets a lot more use because it is much more versatile and it is faster cause it is a 2.8 throughout the focal range.

Bill

Thanks for the recommendation, Bill. :)

[Meesh Fink]

Some good advice already given. I would agree with Alfred. Rent the lens and test it yourself. Your needs and expectations may vary from others.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

PS: I liked the word lens collecting. :D

:D Thanks Sabyasachi!

[Meesh Fink]

With such diverse options my first advice is to look in the mirror and ask what you really want to photograph.... That will make your decision for you. Birds and wildlife: the 500. Flowers and bugs: the macro. Scenic photographer: the wide angle zoom.

Thanks Artie - I asked myself that question and the answer is simply beautiful things out in nature, and I love having the varieity in my portfolio. :)

I picked up the Wimberley and accessories that were listed in the B&S section, so that's one more piece of the kit puzzle settled.