Lens selection help.

[Rjsand70]

My girlfriend has a cannon rebel t6 and she’s just getting into taking pictures and wants to take some pictures with me while I’m hunting. With Christmas coming I’d like to get her a lens where she can take some wildlife pics and have some zoom. I know nothing about cameras or lenses so simplify it if you can what would be a good lens to zoom with so she could get some good pics at distance.

 

[Camera Land]

Hi
Give me a call to discuss. We have a few options for you and of course special pricing for Rokslide members

 

[snarkscarbine]

70-200mm has always been the sweet spot for landscapes/wildlife for me. You can probably save some coin by going with a higher or variable max f-stop like f/4+.

 

[Team RBN]

The Canon EF 70-300 f4 - 5.6 IS II and the Canon EFS 55-250mm f4 - 5.6 IS STM are worth looking at.

I have owned the version one of the 70-300, and was pretty happy with it, the new version is supposed to be much better.

The 55-250mm STM is an amazing little lens. I don't think you will find anything that compares for the price. It is light, compact, auto focus is accurate and fast.
Stabilization is also very decent.

Both taken with my old beat up Canon 7d and the 55-250mm STM.

 

[snarkscarbine]

The Canon EF 70-300 f4 - 5.6 IS II and the Canon EFS 55-250mm f4 - 5.6 IS STM are worth looking at.

I have owned the version one of the 70-300, and was pretty happy with it, the new version is supposed to be much better.

The 55-250mm STM is an amazing little lens. I don't think you will find anything that compares for the price. It is light, compact, auto focus is accurate and fast.
Stabilization is also very decent.

Both taken with my old beat up Canon 7d and the 55-250mm STM.
View attachment 361384

View attachment 361385

This is solid advice.

 

[Outdoor Writer]

My girlfriend has a cannon rebel t6 and she’s just getting into taking pictures and wants to take some pictures with me while I’m hunting. With Christmas coming I’d like to get her a lens where she can take some wildlife pics and have some zoom. I know nothing about cameras or lenses so simplify it if you can what would be a good lens to zoom with so she could get some good pics at distance.

Another vote for the 70-300. I've had mine for over 25 years & used it a LOT.

 

[Stevek]

I would look at a Sigma or Tamron 150-600 that will allow longer distance shooting. They are a bit heavier lenses that a tripod would help with better quality pics. Sigma makes a Contemporary and Sport version. Another would be a 100-400 lens by Canon or one of the other makers. I own a Canon 100-400 IS lens, Canon 500mm IS lens and recently purchased a Sigma 150-600 Sport lens.
Here are a few comparison pics of the 100-400 mm lens at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mm. For wildlife getting within a decent range for a quality photo is the key. The longer lens will allow you to stay away for the subject a little more. The feeder is 100 yards from the camera. Pics where from an older model Canon 7D and handheld on a very overcast day.
Early on back in 2003 I bought and used the 100-400mm exclusively for wildlife. In 2008 I bought the Canon 500mm 4.0 IS lens and it is about all I used till this summer when I bought the Sigma Sport 150-600mm lens. I use a Manfrotto Tripod with a Gimbel style head and 99% of my photos.
100mm

200mm
300mm
400mm

 

[Stevek]

Some photos with the 500mm lens. The best pics of larger animals are at 80 yards more or less. They require little cropping but with the speed of a good lens you can crop most higher resolution photos IME. These photos were taken from 80 yards to 125 yards away on days with various lighting conditions. Most are cropped and taken with an older Canon 7D or a newer Canon 90D.

 

[recon493]

I also concur on the Canon EF 70-300 f4 - 5.6 IS II. And these are great images of the buck above.

 

[Dos Perros]

Hope the OP doesn't mind me piling on. I also have a T6 (crop sensor), and I'd like to upgrade from the kit lens. Looking for f stop lower than 3.5 (2.8 is good, 2.0 is great). I have 11-18mm, 24mm, and 70-300 lenses I like, so looking to fill that middle ground, walking around, versatile lens. I've been shopping for a used Tamron 24-70/2.8 but dang folks even want $750 for the old used versions. Are there any other gem lenses I'm missing and should try to find?

 

[Stevek]

For Canon lenses you can go to their website and look for a refurbished lens. They have them on their site as they get them back in. They repair them and they come with a warranty when they sell them. They list them and are sold pretty quickly, so you have to check daily. Any lens or camera they sell could be on their refurbished page. Also many camera dealers sell used lens they take on trade-in that they rate for quality. They list them on their site under the used inventory. Some good lenses can be bought at a fair price that is below normal retail.
Also look at a new Sigma or Tamron or etc lens that are made to mount on just about any brand of DSLR camera. They will retail less than a name brand lens of the same size and take quality photos. You can find used ones from time to time on camera dealer websites also. Many will be rated for quality also.