[PeteG]

Today I saw this Red-Tailed Hawk while walking the dog.  I’m getting closer to picking up a 100-400mm lens for wildlife and birding, anyone using a super long zoom or prime.


Canon 55-250mm IS

[satfrat]

I've been seeing these types of birds here in Vermont soaring around for the last few weeks but my views are nothing like seen this picture. Simply beautiful work. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Goosepond]

Hi Pete,

I once had the 300L F/2.8 IS, what a great lens. Sharp wide open, beautiful bokeh. I make do now with the 70-200 F/2.8 IS. I have the 2X extender but don't use it often.

That's a nice shot. What body are you using?

Gene

[PeteG]

Hi Pete,

I once had the 300L F/2.8 IS, what a great lens. Sharp wide open, beautiful bokeh. I make do now with the 70-200 F/2.8 IS. I have the 2X extender but don't use it often.

That's a nice shot. What body are you using?

Gene

Canon 7D, been very happy with it for the last year. The 400mm 5.6 looks nice too, but no IS.

[PeteG]

I've been seeing these types of birds here in Vermont soaring around for the last few weeks but my views are nothing like seen this picture. Simply beautiful work. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

Thanks Robin.

[JohnR]

That's a very nice shot, with the sunlight outlining the feathers.

My longest lens is a 300. I don't know about Canon lenses but I'd carefully read the reviews of each tele zoom before plunking my hard-earned down for one of them. With shots like that my own take is that you have enough to do already and without unneeded loss in quality / cash from a zoom.

[PeteG]

Shot this Great Horned Owl a few weeks back, it was a block away from me and it was dust (that’s why it’s graining). I feel like I need a little longer lens for these shots, that’s what I tell my wife anyway.

[jqp]

I would rent a longer lens first to see how hard it would be to carry it around and shoot the way you are doing with the 55-250.

I have an 18-200 which is my carry lens, and it covers just about everything I need when walking around.

I rented a 70-400 for 3 weeks - allowed me to really try it out in different situations, including on a vacation trip. You could rent a big one and take it with you on these walks. You might also want to get one of these  http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/speed-racer-belt-pack.aspx?code=WS-403

Its always a tradeoff carrying a giant lens...

[Andrikos]

I've got the 7D too and love it!
My "birding" lens is a Sigma 50-500 although I don't "bird" too often. I'm more of a landscape guy and my 10-22 is literally glued to the camera.
Nice pics! Keep them coming!

[kip_]

I would rent a longer lens first to see how hard it would be to carry it around and shoot the way you are doing with the 55-250.

I have an 18-200 which is my carry lens, and it covers just about everything I need when walking around.

I rented a 70-400 for 3 weeks - allowed me to really try it out in different situations, including on a vacation trip. You could rent a big one and take it with you on these walks. You might also want to get one of these  http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/speed-racer-belt-pack.aspx?code=WS-403

Its always a tradeoff carrying a giant lens...

A 70-300 is not long enough, even on a crop body. My 70-300 is pretty worthless for birding on my XSi. Also maybe I have been spoiled by my 17-55 but I find my 70-300 to not be terribly sharp either.

Edit: Let me clarify what I meant - it's not adequate for the small birds you'd find in your backyard. It's a great zoo, wildlife, wildlife and sports lens for the price. I'm dreaming of a 100-400 though, not that I can afford it anytime soon.