[colpurps]

Hello Gordon, I have some experiences with a Canon EOS zoom lens which I bought to use with a Canon EOS 50e film camera as advised by a Canon dealer some moons ago. He said that it would be ideal for wildlife photography which was what I wanted to do as I live where we are rich in wildlife. It was an Ultrasonic f1.4-5.6 Mk 2. As I have been heavily into wildlife/birds etc. In use , it was always short of light throughput on the upper end. The dealer suggested that I should try a x2 mag adapter, so I did. This cut down the light even more. I now had a 600mm equivalent mag but, unless the ambient light was exceptional, I was very disappointed with the results. The lens quality was , in my humble opinion, nowhere near as good as my fixed lens Mamiya that I inherited from my father. I suggest you do not go the same route as me, even with a digital body, because I think you will be disappointed. To do birds really well you need a lens that is massive in size, that rules me out because I am unable to carry it around over rough ground. I suggest you find an expert bird-snapper and , if possible, try some really good lenses. Trouble is, you are looking at a bill of 4 figs. and the strength to lug it around. I have managed to obtain some reasonabl shots with an excellent Ultrazoom digital camera and it is light to carry, they are pocket size now. I have attached an example of a drake eider that I shot in Seahouses harbour on an overcast day with my digital with the zoom at max (x12), with IS on, and just hand-held. I am no photography expert, more of a birder than a snapper, but I hope this is food for thought for you, Happy Christmas, colpurps.