 BetterPhoto Member |
Zoom Lens Selection I want to purchase a lens for my father who has become both an active traveler and photographer. He has been to Africa on safari, Costa Rica, etc. and has similar future plans. He has a Rebel 2000, a Phoenix 28-210, another zoom xxx-300, and a macro lens (for insects/flowers). He reported that the "serious" photographers on his safari all raved about the Canon 100-400 USM IS lens and he thinks that is what he would get if he could afford it. Is this lens really head & shoulders above what he has now and the other zooms on the market? He is not a professional photographer, but I do want the lens to be uncompromising and one he'll keep for his lifetime. For photographing wildlife/nature at distance, what would you recommend for his current camera "system"? I hope you can respond soon, I would like to make my purchase for Christmas, he's going to Hawaii for the holidays. Thanks!
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Ken Pang |
I think they are right... In the context exclusively of Safari shooting, no lens would come close. Consider this. 1) 400mm is a reasonably long lens, and it has a stabilizer to help you hand hold it. 2) It has a mode 2 panning stabilizer which helps you shoot from a moving car without camera shake. 3) You can add a 2x Extender which makes it a 800mm f/11 lens. You can shoot a VERY long way with that. 4) It's an L series lens, which will mean that chromatic aberrations will be reduced. On the down side, it weighs 1.4Kg (over 3.5 pounds, I think) and 19cm long (7.5 inches), 9cm wide. I went to the Australian Blue Mountains with a similar size lens yesterday and trust me, my neck and shoulders are feeling the weight of the camera still! It's not exactly a portable lens.
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