Supertele's for wildlife

[shuie]

Now I'm at a loss. Which supertele's would be best for wildlife? I shoot lots of pics of Eagles, Deer, Elk, Foxes. Most of my shots are 150ft to 100 yards away. I have a Bigma, a dinosaur Tamron 400 6.3 and a really odd ball Tele-tokina 800 f8. I had hoped the bigma would answer my needs but it's still up in the air. I thought about a 300 2.8, but is it enough at 100yds? Any wildlife shooters that can offer advice? On a side note I've noticed most people don't say how close they are to their subjects. Maybe I'm just asking too much of my lenses.

[Marc Langille]

Hi Shuie,

Just replied to your question in my post...

The problem is that your are covering a broad range of wildlife subjects in terms of size, so that's a difficult question to answer. You may wish to indicate your budget for a lens?

Obviously an elk is a bit easier to fill the viewfinder with a 300/2.8 and a TC than an eagle perched further away. My images range from 12 feet away with a Sigma 500/4.5 (very sharp) to 60-80 yds away. I am a little different in that I learned on the premise of the no cropping rule in the last wildlife photo competition I was entered in. Using a blind was common practice, especially for birding. If mainly animals, then sometimes you can use the "mobile blind" - a vehicle like an SUV.

Here's an example, shot on a Kirk Fat Bean Bag from approx. 40 feet away, using Pentax K20D + FA* 300/2.8:



EXIF:
Date Taken 2008-04-08 18:59:20
Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K20D
Exposure Time 0.004s (1/250)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 200
Focal Length 300mm (450mm 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 3296 x 2100

As you can see, there is some cropping of the image to better place it and for composition

Here's the same subject, but with the Canon 40D + Sigma 500/4.5 (no cropping):


EXIF:
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure Time 0.002s (1/500)
Aperture f/7.1
ISO 400
Focal Length 500mm (800mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 3888 x 2592

I also have a solid understanding of approaching wildlife in a manner that doesn't appear predatory in nature to the subject. This will reap huge rewards. (I grew up in a family that has roots in hunting for a living, not as sport)

[shuie]

Thanks Marc, I was hoping you would answer. I used to be a big game guide so I also can get farily close to most animals. the eagles are the hardest for me. As for Waterfowl, I love animals that will come to you. I usually don't have time for blinds, but have thought about if. frequently many of the shots I take come out of my truck, thats why I was asking about distance and lens choices. It appears to me I'm just asking too much of my Glass. As far as budget on new lenses is concerned, about $2500 max right now.

[Marc Langille]

I suspect you should try maxing out your skills on the Bigma for now, and keep an eye out for a lens on the used market?

Perhaps a lighter A* 600/5.6 may come along, although it's MF only. What have you looked at in terms of options with your budget? Perhaps we can go through a "laundry list". I may not have much more time this weekend to reply, and rest assured I'll do my best to respond asap.

Regards,
Marc

[Lowell Goudge]

when all else fails I fall back on basics.

for distant subjects,

Image size = object size x Focal length / distance

if you keep units the same, I suggest meters, think about the following,

your camera frame is 0.024 x 0.016 meters (w x h).

think about how big your subject is and how far you are away, and then this would tell you the ideal focal length. My bet is that it will be 2000-3000 mm and you won;t be able to lift it.

You will need to practice on getting close. I shoot quite a bit with lenses in the 400-500mm range. Nothing fancy sigma 70-200 F2.8 plus 2x TC and SMC 300F4 with 1.7x AF TC.

the next step up from these combos is either a 300 F2.8 with TC or 500 F4.5 and an additional $3-$5K

In re-reading all the posts, if you have about $2500 I would go for a sigma 300 F2.8 and one or both of their TCs.

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by Lowell Goudge

In re-reading all the posts, if you have about $2500 I would go for a sigma 300 F2.8 and one or both of their TCs.

That may just be the ticket! At least there is no significant compromise with that option. That's what I went with first, just an FA* 300/2.8 instead.

[Lowell Goudge]

Originally Posted by Marc Langille

That may just be the ticket! At least there is no significant compromise with that option. That's what I went with first, just an FA* 300/2.8 instead.

I'm waiting, somewhat hoping, that the next camera, what ever it is called, but I'll say K30, has k10D noise at 6400 ISO

[vizjerei]

Marc, did you use flash as fill light when you take picture like that?

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by vizjerei

Marc, did you use flash as fill light when you take picture like that?

No Victor, that is the reflection of the setting sun and horizon line in it's eye. Sometimes timing is everything...

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by Lowell Goudge

I'm waiting, somewhat hoping, that the next camera, what ever it is called, but I'll say K30, has k10D noise at 6400 ISO

I'll second that request!!

[vizjerei]

Originally Posted by Marc Langille

No Victor, that is the reflection of the setting sun and horizon line in it's eye. Sometimes timing is everything...

Ahh.. I see.. I have much to learn.. Thanks Marc

[shuie]

How about the DA* 300 f4? I really like the thought of HSM. Or maybe I'll wait and see what the mystery supertele on Pentax's lens roadmap is.

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by shuie

How about the DA* 300 f4? I really like the thought of HSM. Or maybe I'll wait and see what the mystery supertele on Pentax's lens roadmap is.

Very sharp, close focusing distance (for a 300mm), and weather sealed...

Nice options! If I didn't own the FA* 300/2.8, I'd consider it. I'd consider it for use as a travel lens setup.