| Do you know how much the best bird lens for a | | | | gem that runs about $1500. Photographers who |
| Canon DSLR costs? You could buy a new car... or | | | | own this baby absolutely LOVE IT. Most would |
| a bird lens for your Canon. | | | | not trade it for anything. |
| I'll just come right out and tell you that the very | | | | Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 - notice the 500mm |
| best one you can buy is the 600mm. And, yes, it | | | | number. That is way good. The lens has gotten |
| costs more than $11,000. | | | | some really good reviews from folks who use it. |
| But we want something much cheaper here. In | | | | The one thing about this puppy is that you will |
| fact, dirt cheap would be nice, but that will not | | | | need some pretty decent light because it does |
| happen, because good lens glass just is not cheap. | | | | not have a very large aperture to start with. So, |
| So forget that $11K beast until you win the | | | | lots of light and a tripod will be assets when using |
| lottery. | | | | this one. Cost is under $1000 - yippee! |
| There are a few less expensive lenses that will do | | | | I save the best for last. You can take great |
| a really good job, but they also cost upwards of | | | | photos with bird lenses that are not even |
| $5,000. So... what's a photographer on a budget | | | | considered by most people in this category. How? |
| supposed to do? | | | | you might ask. |
| There are a couple of solutions to the problem | | | | The secret is that you get the little feathered |
| that won't cost you thousands of dollars and your | | | | creatures to come to you. Set up a |
| first born child. | | | | smorgashbord of delights for them to feast upon. |
| First, there are a few lenses that will do the job | | | | And do it in a way that you can get the best |
| for much less than those listed above. Of course, | | | | images ever. |
| if you are going to pay less, you will have to | | | | My personal setup is right outside my kitchen |
| realize that the results will not match up, especially | | | | window. I have a deck that I attached some cut |
| if you are going to go trekking through the wild, | | | | up branches to. I drilled holes into the branches to |
| toting you camera and gear. (One of the | | | | make feeding stations. Then I situated my |
| suggestions is to NOT go trekking, but have the | | | | feeders in such a way as to allow me the very |
| wildlife - the birds - trek to you.) | | | | best angle possible. It took a little tweeking, but |
| You can opt for a shorter range piece of glass. | | | | the final setup works really well. |
| There are some great lenses in the "under | | | | And here's the best part. I use my Canon |
| 400mm category" that will give you some really | | | | 70-200mm f/4.0 USM lens. This little thing only |
| good shots. Here are a few that you might | | | | cost me about $500. I can also use my newest |
| consider: | | | | Sigma 18-250mm lens to take the shots when |
| Canon 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM - this one costs a | | | | birds come too close for the other one. |
| little over $1000. Sure, that might be more than | | | | A little work on your part can save you lots of |
| you paid for your DSLR, but if you want results in | | | | cash. Plus it will keep you in the comfort of your |
| this area, you will have to make some | | | | own home where you can enjoy some great |
| concessions monetarily. | | | | photography and a cup of coffee. |
| Canon 100-400mm f/4.0-5.6L IS USM - another | | | | |