What Lens to buy my wife ???

[jeffersonposter]

Making an assumtion that the camera is a 1.6 crop body (EOS Rebel, XTi, etc.) and she wants to shoot wildlife you migt want to check the 400mm f5.6. This glass does not have image stablization, but most often you would start with a tripod or monopod, then work up to hand held. Learning to shoot hand held without IS would be a great benefit later on. It helps develop skills. The 400 f5.6 is L glass and is known for sharpness. It is around $1200 at B&H and can be reviewed on this site.It will be the the equivelant of 640mm on crop bodies. Just the thing for wildlife and this glass will be a keeper, at least till you win the lotto.


JeffersonPoster

[Colin]

Even if I won the lotto, I would keep the 400mm f/5.6. Sure, I'd like an arsenal of the big guns from 200-1200mm, but if you consider the quality and reach you get in such a portable, dinky package... I'll never give it up, unless an IS version comes out.


I haven't been able to afford a lens I couldn't comfortably carry, but weight is important, particularly when you've got a backpack full of lenses. Between a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6, a 70-200 f/2.8, a 180mm f/3.5 Macro, a 80mm f/1.2, a 35mm f/1.4, a 24-105 f/4, a couple of bodies, and a laptop, it gets heavy walking around.


I can only imagine trying to travel with a 400 f/2.8. I wouldn't complain, but.... []