Upgrading camera and or lens for wildlife shots

gtob2019

I currently have a Canon EOS600 which I use with a Sigma zoom lens 70-300 for nature photography. I would like to get a lens with a bit more reach (for birds mostly). My question is should I upgrade the lens to a sigma 100-400 or would I notice a huge difference if I upgraded the camera too? And to what? I have a budget of about 1500-2000. Any advice appreciated

CelticRambler

From a purely technical/magnification point of view, you wouldn't notice a huge difference between your current lens at 300mm and the new one at 400mm. Similarly, you wouldn't necessarily notice a huge improvement in image quality with a small increase in sensor size/resolution. Putting the two together might get you the better pictures that you're looking for, but that depends as much on what you're not happy with at the moment. It's possible that you could get wonderful pictures using your current equipment with some modifications to your technique or approach to your subjects.

FWIW, I've just picked up a secondhand Tamron 150-600mm (first generation, 4 years old) for 500€ + petrol. That has made a huge difference to what I can see "up close" from a distance, compared to my previous longest lens (Canon 55-250mm), and if you look at the file info for many of the bird photos on the Random Photos thread, you'll see that this lens features quite a lot! I've literally had it only five days, and spent most of those sitting on a mini digger, so it hasn't been put seriously to the test yet - but on even my weary 1200D, the few pictures I've taken are great.

athlone573

Your camera and your lens would both be showing their age now

You would see a noticeable improvement in detail going to something like a Canon 80D and a 100 400 (canon better than sigma but more expensive)

Camera clubs can be good places to ask these sort of questions also.

Chavways

You'd have plenty of options for that price range. One one hand you could go for a high resolution full frame and big zoom for cropping or you could use an APSC and lesser zoom lens (or larger if the budget allows). I'm a Sony shooter so would know that system best but I'm sure Canon & Nikon have the same or better offerings.


1. Sony A6600 https://www.e-infin.com/eu/item/4034/sony_alpha_a6600_mirrorless_digital_camera_(body_only)
Sigma 100-400 https://www.e-infin.com/eu/item/4151/sigma_100-400mm_f/5-6.3_dg_dn_os_contemporary_lens_for_sony_e_mount


Camera and lens have stabilization so would be great for handheld shots. The A6600 provides live cracking autofocus too which would be a big improvement over your current camera. The only downside of the lens is that its only a 33% increase in reach over what you have. You could go down the full frame route and get something like a Sony A7r2 which would give you 42 megapixel photos that you can crop if required.


https://www.e-infin.com/eu/item/2671/sony_alpha_a7r_ii_mirrorless_digital_camera_body_only_a7r_mark_2


Something like a Canon RP and the Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm could be a good option also.


https://www.e-infin.com/eu/item/3829/canon_eos_rp_mirrorless_digital_camera_(body_only)


https://www.e-infin.com/eu/item/4086/sigma_150-600mm_f/5-6.3_dg_os_hsm_contemporary_lens_for_canon_ef

gtob2019

Have you ordered from this website? Would you recommend it? Prices seem cheaper than elsewhere but looks like delivery can take a while. Which I wouldn't mind if I'm sure the product is coming

Chavways

gtob2019 wrote: »

Have you ordered from this website? Would you recommend it? Prices seem cheaper than elsewhere but looks like delivery can take a while. Which I wouldn't mind if I'm sure the product is coming

Yep I pretty much buy all my gear from there. Its grey market but as you can see, vastly cheaper than typical shops. Delivery usually 1 week but with COVID probably around 2. A friend of mine bought a Sony A7riii from them recently and it took just under 2 weeks to arrive.

MojoMaker

Anybody bought anything since the July 1st customs rule change? Anyone stung for import tax from Hong Kong or have they got a non-UK EU hub somewhere now?

REPTILEDAN88

Personally id go with Sigmas 150-600 c with 1.4x & a Canon 80d or 90d. I have the 80d myself and just upgraded to the R6 as my main camera but the 80d is a great camera, theres a good jump in mega pixels with them both so might be worth going with the 90d (33mp) vs the 80d (24mp) handy if you have to crop. As for where to buy MPB.com is worth a look for preowned stuff.

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-c-canon-ef-fit/

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-90d/

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-80d/

https://www.barkerphotographic.ie/sigma-tc-1401-1-4x-teleconverter-for-canon-ef/nikon-2?search=1.4X%20SIGMA

You can buy the Sigma 150-600 c with 1.4x for the same price new as you would pay 2nd hand if you bought them separately. Personally id buy new in that case.

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-90D-vs-Canon-EOS-80D

Heres a comparison of them both to help you decide ^.