Which DSLR lens?

[clutchkiller]

I'm just wondering which lens you use most often when shooting wildlife? Broadway Photo has the Canon 30D for $1,089 body only and $1,180 with a 18-55mm lens. Would the 18-55mm make a good all purpose lens until I can buy a few specialized lenses?

 

[clutchkiller]

I just read a few reviews about Broadway Photo.... doesn't look like I will buy from them

 

[quailsroost]

Yes, the 18-55 mm would be a good choice for an all around lens, then save your money and buy very good long glass for the critters that are farther out. Don't over look your local camera shop when you make any camera purchase, I recently bought a Nikon D-70s at a local store for the same money as the big guys on the internet and got a $50.00 in store gift certificate.

 

[Lan-Lord]

Yeah, stay away from Broadway. If it looks too good to be true.. do your homework on them.

I decided to pass on the kit lens (18-55), and just got the 20D body. I added the 24-70/2.8L for my all around lens. It was quite a bit more money, but I really enjoy that lens. Its heavy though. the 2.8 means that it has a big objective (eg a lot more glass) for gathering light.

Regarding shooting wildlife.. I dont really have my preferred lens yet. I bought a used 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS. It was cheap, had IS, and gets me out to 300mm. Due to the f/4.5-5.6 (that means f/5.6 @300mm), it doesnt shoot great in low-light, as I experienced this morning

Shutter priority 1/250sec, f/5.6, ISO-800
[attachment=32225:attachment]

The above shot is nothing more than a hail marry. It was pretty much black when I loaded it on the computer. I raised the exposure in PS, and at least I can see what the buck looks like. This is a hard situation even for fast glass though. Early morning + clouds/rain = extreme low-light. So an f/2.8 300 or 400 prime would have been better here.. but then you are talking major bones.

But back to your question, the lens that I would prefer to use for wildlife would be the canon 100-400 IS f/5.6, and I have on the back burner that I will pull the trigger on a fast prime (300 or 400 f/2.8) some day. Until then, I just rent the big fast lenses

 

[clutchkiller]

Chris, not bad for a hail marry... lol, I would love to take a picture like that!

 

[The_Griz]

lan-lord .. hope you don't mind , but I thought that was a great picture so l worked with it some. For a quick shot it is fantastic.

 

[Hideandwatch]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lan-lord @ Aug 19 2006, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The above shot is nothing more than a hail marry. It was pretty much black when I loaded it on the computer. I raised the exposure in PS, and at least I can see what the buck looks like. This is a hard situation even for fast glass though. Early morning + clouds/rain = extreme low-light.[/b]

Chris, I really like the shot...gives the feeling of being there.
Especially liked with the conditions that you had to work with, great PP work too.

 

[clutchkiller]

The Griz did a good job adding light to the picture but I think I like the darkness in the upper 2/3rds of the picture posted by lan-lord, it gives a three dimensional feel to the image and I can sit here and imagine that buck disappearing into the darkness (which is mostly due to experience

).

 

[Lan-Lord]

Thanks for the PS help Griz. I did it on the laptop which is usually too dark for crt monitors.

 

[canadagoose]

I shoot a Tamrom 28-300mm on my D100 and I've been really happy with it. It seems like no matter how far I am from my target, the lens lets me frame things nicely. Just dropped some cash on a Tamron 180mm macro for the wife's birthday that will be fun to play with as well (don't you just love it when she asks for something you've been wanting to buy for yourself?

).

 

[foulshot]

The one I use the most is the 100-400L, but if I had the money I'd own a Canon 500mm f/4 or a Canon 400mm f/2.8 with a TC.