Canon lenses

Sorry for being thick. What part am I missing? Or are you just refering to the fact that I have a low image resolution in my viewfinder?

(Undeniably the preview screen is much MUCH higher resolution ... but I choose to use the viewfinder nonetheless so it is "enough" for my purposes)

 

Now I got it

I'm going to check that out best as I can, 'coz I always assumed I was seeing 100% height x width of the final image in my viewfinder.

Mind you ... maybe 90-something-% will do for me

 

My non-SLR camera's EVF is supposed to have 100% coverage and a decent resolution

 

My son has got back to me. Armandii, he agrees with you that the Sigma lens is the way to go. However I won't be paying British prices new or second hand. The lens is available new for around £400 in America which is cheaper than second hand here, so I'm now getting my son to check out the second hand prices. I'll let you know what he comes up with.

 

My biggest lens or longest reach is 300mm, I very seldom need that much for my landscapes, probably over a year since I last used it.

Having said that when I used to be more active on Photo sites the Sigma (or Bigma as Dave called it, and so do many others) was the lens of choice for the 500mm peeps.

Its been a long time since I looked at converters too, but from memory I disliked the thought that an F4 lens would end up being an F8, and an F2 lens would become an F4.

I would not go for a Prime lens as your stuck at that focal length, but opt for a tele, so the Bigma fits that well.

Two things spring to mind with reference to using it, yes it is heavy due to all that glass and as Mandi said, a UV filter in front of it or replacing the lens cap between shots (I do the latter on all my lens) is advisable. Use of a bean bag to help steady the lens for longer shots, ie place bean bag on some soilid structure, rest lens on bag OR use a monopod, as it suggests a monopod is a one legged tripod that doubles as a walking stick, quicker and easier to set up for those quickfire wildlife shots.

I would fully recommend trying a lens on your camera in a shop if you can and also trying the monopod too. I appreciate it might be difficult on the IOM though so would try posting on a IOM community see if another tog could help you out and let you try the lens on your cam under supervision, even better if they have a monopod too!

Sorry I can not help any further.

Steve...

 

Thanks Steve, what you have said has been helpful and good ideas regarding trying things out. I find that my 250mm lens is okay for landscapes too but it isn't enough for wildlife, particularly sea birds.

We have just one camera shop left here on the island and being locally owned I may be able to take advantage and try out items there.

 

That was a lucky find Armandii, the ones I've seen seem to be around £600 at the moment. But as I said I'm in no rush and if I can get a good deal via America, then that's the way to go!

Yes the tax situation is different here but we'd still have to pay import tax, that wouldn't be a problem for me as I wouldn't be buying direct. If you remember my son lives there, so he would buy it for me and send it 'privately'.

 

Just an update. My son hasn't replied to me about the 500mm lens. Knowing my children as I do, I have a feeling they're plotting, so does my other half. I have a landmark birthday in June, so it could be a long wait. Meanwhile I will email him again and see what response I get, if any!

 

Oh how I wish it was! Ermmm just a thought.....that would make my children older than me!