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Category: Animals, Pets, & Wildlife Photography

Photography Question 

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Lens for Wildlife Photography


I am an amateur photographer that enjoys taking pictures of wildlife. However, I am realizing that I may need a longer lens. I currently have a Minolta Maxxum 9 with a 75-300mm and a 50-500mm lens. What would be the next size lens to upgrade to without me having to switch camera brands? HELP. Thank you.


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June 27, 2004

 

Steve McCroskey
  Hi Kathleen! I use a Minolta Maxxum 5 with a 28-105mm and a 70-300mm lens. I also use a 2x teleconverter, which you may find beneficial! Another idea is to try to find a fixed focal length lens. For example, a 600 or 800mm lens. I, myself, am trying to find either of these lenses. You might want to consider used equipment!


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June 27, 2004

 

Jon Close
  The most economical solution is to simply enlarge and crop the images you currently get with the 50-500. A 2x teleconverter used on either the 70-300 or 50-500 zoom would be a relatively cheap option, but would compromise image sharpness (perhaps as much or more than with enlarging); plus, using the TC restricts you to very small maximum apertures (f/8-11 on the 70-300, f/8-12.7 with the 50-500), which can limit you to longer shutter speeds or faster/high grain film. You could try a cheapie super telephoto, like the Phoenix 650-1300 f/8-16 or Vivitar 600-1000 f/9.9-16 (both are manual focus and aperture, and use T-mount adaptor), but it's a case of "you get what you pay for" with the same sharpness and small aperture issues as a TC on your current lenses. At about $300 it may be worthwhile for occasional use or for the novelty, but don't expect National Geographic quality close-ups.

Next up would be Sigma's 600mm f/8 Reflex. It is a mirror lens with manual focus, and the aperture is fixed at f/8. There are also some good but inexpensive Russian-made 1000mm f/10 mirror lenses (see link, but there can be some issues with fit and clearance between the lens and the prism/built-in flash). Mirror lenses can be quite sharp, but render out-of-focus highlights in doughnut shapes.

Then you have a huge price jump to something professionals use, such as Minolta's 600 f/4 or f/4G lens (about $8000), which could be combined with good results with Minolta's 1.4x APO (840mm f/5.6) or 2x APO (1200mm f/8) teleconverter. Sigma also makes a good 800 f/5.6 EX for about $6000.


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June 28, 2004

 

Michael McCullough
  You really don't need a longer lens,you have the lenses,you want to get closer to your subjects,try camouflage buy some material and make a pancho know the habits of what wildlife your shooting study them set up along their trails,places where they drink or rest,like I've said you have the lenses,now enjoy the hunt!!!!!!


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June 29, 2004

 

Michael McCullough
  You really don't need a longer lens,you have the lenses,you want to get closer to your subjects,try camouflage buy some material and make a pancho know the habits of what wildlife your shooting study them set up along their trails,places where they drink or rest,like I've said you have the lenses,now enjoy the hunt!!!!!!This is much like work that produces exilerating results the chase is also exciting its what makes photography what it is, a challenge at times with sometimes rewarding results!!!!


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June 29, 2004

 
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