RE: Canon Camera Body and Lens Combo

[Paul Lagasi]

Lets say just for this thread, I have a friend who is going to buy a Canon body and lens..what would be the body and lens combo, he should buy to shoot birds (flight and stills)?

Only thing is, He's not sure if He still wants the crop factor...or full frame with higher Pixel count...

Only 1 body and 1 lens...100-400 is max.

Thanks

[David Stephens]

Lets say just for this thread, I have a friend who is going to buy a Canon body and lens..what would be the body and lens combo, he should buy to shoot birds (flight and stills)?

Only thing is, He's not sure if He still wants the crop factor...or full frame with higher Pixel count...

Only 1 body and 1 lens...100-400 is max.

For birds, it's either the 7D or the 1D MkIII or MkIV. You don't give a budget, but at the low end I'd go with the EF 400mm f/5.6L and at the high end I'd go with the 300mm f/2.8L IS plus the 1.4x and 2.0x TCs.

Tell your friend to forget about FF for birds unless he's prepared to buy a 500mm or 600mm lens to go with his 5D MkII. (I own the 5D2 AND the 7D, but almost never use the 5D2 for birds).

[William Malacarne]

Another thing to remember is that full frame cameras have slow burst frame rates. 5D mkII is 3.9 frames per second where the 1D mkIV is 10 frames per second.

If getting the 1D another lens s that is very good is the 300 mm f/4 and it can be used with the 1.4 TC.


Bill

[David Stephens]

If getting the 1D another lens s that is very good is the 300 mm f/4 and it can be used with the 1.4 TC.

Good choice and, actually, the 1D will work with the 2.0x TC on the f/4 lens. The 1.4x will work with the 300/f4 on the 7D.

[Paul Lagasi]

Budget would be up to $5000....

[Doug Brown]

Good advice above! I'd go with the 7D and a 400mm f/5.6. Put the money you don't spend into a Christmas account and start saving for a 500 or 600.

[Roger Clark]

Paul,
First crop factor has nothing to do with telephoto reach on subjects small in the frame. The key for pixels on subject is focal length and pixel pitch. The 7D has the smallest pixels (along with lower cost 60D and T2i).

I would choose a 7D, 300 f/4 and 1.4x TC.

Roger

[Ed Cordes]

I agree 7D and 300 F4 with 1.4 TC for extra reach when you need it. When you can save for a 500 F4 IS. Perhaps a used version 1 in a few years?

[Dave Leroy]

$5000 is a very nice number for your friend.

Don't forget that a good tripod and head may also be required.

I like the idea of a 7D and a 300 f/4 or 100/400. Some excellent photos get posted with a 100/400 lens.

I used to have a 400/5.6 and just found that where i live on the west coast it is often overcast I really wanted/needed a faster lens and IS.

I would be very tempted to go with a 300 f4 and TC. The 300 f4 might be a lens that is kept for a long time for its close focusing ability.

Eventually your friend will want to get longer to a 500 or even longer for birds.

Dave

[John Chardine]

I'm trying to read between the lines here Paul!!!!

For that sort of budget the 7D is a clear winner. I agree the 300/4 and 1.4 tc would be a great choice but the 70-200/2.8II with the 1.4 tc would give you more flexibility (but less reach and it would go over budget a little). The 70-200 or 70-300 range of zoom (I just got the new 70-300 f4-5.6 L) is just so good for big tame birds like gannets and penguins for example, flocks, and so many other subjects. For small subjects at a distance they won't work but you won't get anything that will, and stay within your budget.

[Deepak Brid]

$5000 is a very nice number for your friend.

Don't forget that a good tripod and head may also be required.

I like the idea of a 7D and a 300 f/4

Eventually your friend will want to get longer to a 500 or even longer for birds.

Completely agree, I use the same combo with 1.4 x TC; hope to upgrade to a 500mm someday.. keeping that in mind I've opted for a Gitzo 5541LS + Markins Q20. All still in budget for your friend... If carrying the equipment is not a problem he may even consider the Wimberly II right away! It's an bit of overkill for the 300 f/4, but an investment that's future protected