Scott Kelley never intended to stir up a hornets nest about lenses- and my post here is not at all intended to either, but to simply put out there some information on available lens for birding and wildlife in a range from what I would consider the basic starting point to other options but keeping it under $3,000 and actually closer to $2,000 and starting at under $500, a range a lot more of us would be comfortable compared to the twelve grand monsters. Ive limited it to whats available for Canon and Nikon because of the range of whats out there for those two brands- no other reason. Theres been a lot of excitement generated by a few new entries so I thought Id make a list- and hopefully havent left anything out. It will be YOUR job to check reviews, do your homework and maybe even it would be best to rent the one that interests you most. And remember, YOUR choice will be best for YOU, not everyone else. So your likes will certainly differ! Anyway, heres the list- (Note, the Tamron and Sigma lenses are available in both Nikon and Canon mounts- and some other brands as well.) Lenses for Birding and Wildlife (Minimum long end at 300mm) Basic- Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Closest focus- 4.9 ft./1.5m 58mm filter –specs- 3.0 in. x 5.6 in., 22.2 oz List $650 Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Closest focus- 4.9 ft./1.5m 67mm filter – specs- 3.1 in. x 5.6 in. 26.3 oz List $589.95 Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Closest focus- 4.9 ft./1.5m 62mm filter – specs- 3 13/64 in. x 5.6 in., 27 oz No list, but under $500 common, $50 Mail-in Rebate to Feb. 28th Fixed 300 and 400mm under $2,000 Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Closest focus- 4.9 ft./1.5m 77mm filter – specs- 3.5 x 8.7, 2.6 lbs List $1,449.00 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM (no IS) Closest focus- 3.5m / 11.5 ft. 77mm filter – specs- 3.5 x 10.1, 2.8 lbs List $1,339.00 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED (no VR) Closest focus- 4.8 ft. / 1.45m 77mm filter – specs- 3.5 in. x 8.8 in. 50.8 oz List- $1,495.00 AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Closest focus- 4.6 ft. (1.4m) 77mm filter – specs- 3.5 in. x 5.8 in. 26.6 oz List- $1,999.95 No comparable Nikon 400mm in current lineup No comparable after market ‘fixed length’ lenses currently. Longer Zooms (minimum to 400mm, under $3,000) Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Closest focus- 3.2 ft. / 0.98m 77mm filter – specs- 3.7 x 7.6 3.62 lbs List $2,199.00 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Closest focus- 5.74 ft. (1.75m) 77mm filter – specs- 3.8 in. x 8.0 in. 56 oz. List $2,699.95 Tamron SP 150-600MM F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Closest focus- 2.7m (106.3in) 95mm filter – specs- 4.3 in x 10.1 in 68.8 oz Around $1,100.00 Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S Closest focus- 102.4 in.260cm 105mm filter – specs- 4.8in x 11.4in 100.9oz List $1,999.99
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:47:34 +0000
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