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Which lens should I buy?

Prices and other details mentioned below will of course change, the article was written in November 2008

Another question I am often asked is which lens should I buy?

I would suggest there is four good, cheap, walk around wildlife lenses, depending on your requirements and budget available new, on today's market (Nov 08). They are cheap (Compared to what you could spend on a lens) being around or under £1000, and portable. In other words they are usable handheld without the need for tripod (A Monopod or tripod is always useful though) and have a focal length of use for wildlife. I would imagine there are Nikon lenses that fit into this category also, but below I have only dealt with Canon fit lenses. Listed below in no particular order, with a few comments.

Sigma have recently released the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens
This lens has had some good reviews and is only £645.95

OS is Sigma's equivalent of IS, so this is a stabilized lens with a large zoom range.
It seemed to good to be true when i ordered one, and i found it's a definite case of getting what you pay for. I used it for a week and sent it back. Don't let me put you of if you're on a budget though, as for many people this lens may be a dream come true, and will produce nice, but not brilliant images.

Positives: Good zoom range, stabilization, price
Negative: Image quality is not the best, and this is to my mind the most important thing. It's also the heaviest of the four and some may prefer to use it with support.

Canon EF 300mm f4 IS USM (£878) + Teleconverter - Canon 1.4x (£250)
Yes just a 300mm lens but being F4 it will work with a 1.4x converter (relevant to 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D and entry level bodies 450D etc) giving you a 420mm lens with auto focus and image stabilization. I have not used this combo myself but from reviews and info on the net, i would suggest its well worth considering.

Anyone who has not seen Richard Bedford's site should have a look, along with more expensive lenses he uses this combo with apparently great results, he specializes in flight shots. A resent 'photo of the week' on birdguides taken by him and using this lens/converter combo is here.
http://www.richardbedford.co.uk/hobbyy27.htm

Positives: 420mm fixed, stabilization, lightweight
Negative: I Can't think of any but have not used this combo; i assume image quality it good.

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens £998.00, but has been around a while and gettable on the second hand market. This is a zoom lens with a good range and stabilization, which up until recently i had used for many years. Overall it's a good versatile wildlife lens.

Positives: good zoom range, stabilization, image quality good
Negative: A little heavier than the fixed focal length lenses, but lighter than the Sigma, and at its best in terms of image quality stopped down which means slower speeds

Canon EF 400mm f5.6 L USM Lens £849.00
A no frills prime lens that's not especially fast, which keeps it cheap.
Image quality is good at F5.6 keeping it fast (ish) and worthy of its reputation as a good flight lens.

Positives: image quality very good, light weight, price
Negative: No stabilization, but that would make it heavier, its light weight makes it easy to handhold, though a monopod always helps.

 

Richard Ford
November 2008