Re: Telephoto lenses

Fran Saunders (saunderf@ARI.Net)
Wed, 14 Jan 1998 17:30:27 +0000


Thanks to Mark, Stella and Greg re the lenses they use.  I am 
not surprised to find two of you using  Sigmas.  Way back 
when I was shooting yearbook pictures I got my first telephoto, 
and it, too, was a Sigma.  I had done a good deal of research 
before purchasing on my meager school teacher's salary, but 
alas, have not kept up on the topic, especially not in the realm 
of bird photography.

We have Minolta Maxxums -- 7000i and 7xi -- and a dandy 500 mm 
reflex lens.  The lens is small and tidy, but those donuts you 
get with a mirror lens can sometimes ruin an otherwise gorgeous 
pix.  Although we are not looking for publication standard 
photos, I did think that a fixed lens might be worth a look.

Mark, we will certainly talk about this the next time we bump 
binocs....

Fran

 
> In a message dated 98-01-13 18:22:55 EST, Fran Saunders wrote:
> 
> > If I remember correctly, some scopes have optional  adapters 
> >  for cameras, and it makes for a better fit.  Might be worth 
> >  looking into if you plan to use a scope for photos.
> >  
> >  Speaking of cameras, I was thinking of adding a tele lens for 
> >  bird photography.  Anybody out there with some recommendations 
> >  as to make and size?  Some people on our AZ trip had 400 mm 
> >  Sigmas, which they said worked well.
> >  
> >  Fran  
> >  
> 
> 
> Fran - 
> 
> I do a fair amount of picture-taking, especially of rarities,
> pelagics, etc. I use Nikon equipment and have both a Sigma
> 400/5.6 and 500/7.2 that I use depending upon lighting
> conditions. The more light and faster the shutter speed the
> better with these long lenses. With such "slow" lenses you
> almost have to use a fast film, like Kodachrome 200, which I
> prefer.  The next step up in lenses (say a 400/2.8) is going to
> cost you $3K+. I use Sigma lenses and I'm very happy with them.
> Comparable Nikon lenses would cost 3-5x as much. I'm giving a
> talk to the Baltimore Club in February on "Rare birds of
> Maryland" if you'd like to check-out some of the results or
> talk more.
> 
> I also have 800mm and 1000mm adapters for my Kowa scope that I
> can use the Nikon on. These need much light, and are really
> only good for documenting birds, not taking quality pictures. A
> tripod is mandatory.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Mark Hoffman
> Sykesville, MD
> Mhoff36100@aol.com
> 

--------------------------------
Fran Saunders
Maryland Ornithological Society
State Web Site Director
saunderf@ari.net
http://www2.ari.net/saunderf/mos/mos.html