lens/body combos for birds

[jeanluc]

I have a question about body lens combos for bird photography.

I mainly do landscapes, but some birds as well.

I did have a 7d, which I used with my 70-300L with decent results for birds. I sold the 7d, and have since been shooting birds with my 5d3 and the 70-300L. Obviously the reach is not there, but the low light performance is expectedly better. But I need at least 400 mm reach for birds.

I am wondering about 2 options........the 7d2 is VERY cheap now, about 1K with current printer bundle. So option 1 is to get the 7d2 and keep shooting birds with the 70-300L.

The second is to get a 100-400L II, forgo the crop body, and shoot with that lens and the 5d3.


I am planning on getting a 5dsr or 5d4 for landscapes in the next 6-12 months, depending on what the 5d4 turns out to look like. If I end up with a 5dsr, then I'd keep the 5d3 for it's greater FR for the limited birding I do.

Any thoughts appreciated, especially from anyone who has already went through this type of decision making.

Thanks.

 

[nc0b]

I don't have a 5D3, but I do get wonderful results with my 6D and 400mm f/5.6 for shooting raptors. I played with the new 100-400 Mk II zoom, but saw no reason to buy it just for birding. For more general photography I could justify the new lens due to IS and of course the zoom feature. Unless I could get a good price for my 300mm f/4 IS, I doubt I will buy the new zoom.

 

[arbitrage]

A few thoughts on the subject....

70-300L will get you to 480mm FOV on the 7D2. The 7D2 is a very nice body for birds and BIF. However, the 100-400II does very well with the Canon 1.4TCIII that gets you out to 560 f/8 on the 5D3.

Of course the best combo is the 7D2 and 100-400II +/- 1.4TCIII that can get you out to 896mm f/8 FOV.

Now if you are thinking about a new 5 series once the 5D4 is available than maybe just holding off for now would be best. Most 5D4 rumours talk about 28MPs and a fairly high frame rate. That could make it a much better bird camera than the 5D3 or 5DS.

 

[candc]

the 7dii is good for bif because of the frame rate and buffer. if you are shooting wading or perched birds then you don't need that.

if your are planning on getting a 5dsr then i don't see you will need the 5diii anymore. the frame rate is not much different and from what i have seen around here: the 5dsr does everything the 5diii does with higher resolution.

the 150-600's are good options and you don't need to add a converter. you want at least 560 or 600 on ff for birds.

 

[AlanF]

The 7DII + 100-400mm II +/- 1.4xTC III are an incredible combination for bird photography. I use them twice a week and on birding holidays. To beat them, you will need a 1DX and a 500 or 600mm f/4, which are beyond most budgets and are too heavy for hiking. Don't take any notice of anyone who runs down the zoom - it is as sharp as many primes and gives a real flexibility. I have considered many other set ups and have always returned to the 7D II + 100-400 II.

 

[Ozarker]

7D Mark II is the ticket.

Lens wise? I don't own it, but I have read people here say that a 1.4x III Extender ($429) and Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM ($6,099.00) is a killer combo.

If you want zoom I also read that the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with internal 1.4x Extender is very nice... but you really have to love birds ($10,999.00).

Personally, I would stay away from anything less than f/2.8 (except for the 600mm f/4L IS II USM) especially if you want to use an extender. That is just me.

I have the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L (no IS) and it is a great lens in bright light. However it struggles in low light for birds. Adding a filter makes it worse. That may be more my problem because I hate to go over ISO 400. It is a very nice lens for the money. I've gotten some great shots with it. I just wish it were faster. $$$ wise it is great.


I have the 2x III Extender and wish I hadn't bought it. Should have got the 1.4x III if at all.

I shoot birds with a 70D. If I could swing a 7D Mark II right now I would get one. The price is great, and from all I read it is a fantastic camera for birds (stellar AF and frame rate). Proud for you if you get one.

I wouldn't get rid of my 70D though. I like the articulating touch screen and DPAF too much. I can see myself sitting in a lawn chair near a hummingbird feeder with the 70D on a tripod and using the DPAF and touch screen shutter release to capture hummingbirds while sipping iced tea. That idea relaxes me.

I'll add that I live in the Mojave Desert and it is very hard to get close to birds and there are not many here compared to places with forests. Long reach is a blessing.