Before the 1960's a lot of wildlife photography was done with a Leica
and a 135mm lens, back then labor was cheap and there was not a lot of
money for equipment and photographers were willing to invest a day in
getting a decent shot. Today money is more readily available than time,
so one tends to invest in long lenses. A compromise seems the most
viable and I would think that one should be able to do okay with a 400mm
on an istD series camera which gives the same working distance as a
600mm does on a 35mm camera. All that said, I have never really been
much of a wildlife photographer and the longest lens I own is a
80-200/2.8 (+ a 2x converter which I have seldom used).
One should not let a lust for toys be confused with needs. Toys are nice
to have but one should not lie to one's self about it.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
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Russell Kerstetter wrote:
What is a decent lens (or a decent length) for shooting birds? I read
a book about this topic, and author prefers to shoot at 200, but I
have noticed that many of the shots posted here are much longer than
that, and often with a TC. This also brings to mind Tim from Norway
and having problems even with a 500. So is 200 (or 135 for angle of
view) unrealistic until I have mastered stalking? What I have right
now is the 18-55 kit, A24/2.8 and a Super-Tak 50/1.4. So the only way
I can get close enough for a decent picture is if I also bring my
Ruger, and I don't think that would be a good idea.
And further more....... if 200 (135) is an appropriate length, the
lens' that I have been considering are:
DA50-200/4-5.6
FA80-320/4.5-5.6
A70-210/4
any comments on these lens' would be great, or should I instead be
looking at primes? (I do have a very limited budget.) I believe that
they can each be had for around $200 US or less, and of course I would
go for an older MF over a newer AF if it is better.
My point is that I would like to know what I need to start looking/saving for.
Thanks.
Russell
