I'm not a photographer, but I like my new digital SLR and I'm looking for some not super technical lens advice.

I've got a Canon Zoom EF 75-300 4-5.6, which came with the body - it was a gift. I'd like something more long distance for nature photography.

This shot is typical of my subject matter, this is a Redbellied Woodpecker, at the other end of our lot.

I handhold mostly, prefer to not use the autofocus feature (I use the camera on full manual) and would like something that I can carry with me. For example, we are going to Cedar Key in about a week. Easy hiking, much birding. I don't want to haul so much stuff I feel like I'm shooting for National Geographic.

Ann

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I would suggest that you go up to a 500mm reflex type telephoto as they are more compact than a normal lens. The one pictured is by Phoenix. However I do not see any for the Canon digital SLR. Try calling B& H Photo in NYC. 800.606.6969 / 212.444.6615 call tomorrow as they are closed on Saturdays.

They should be able to help you.
I run older Minolta equipment and there are more lens choices for those cameras.

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Catadioptric aka Mirrors are good cheap and compact solution to huge lenses, with fast film or higher ISO setting in your dig SLR, you can get away with some good results.

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Unless lens technology or stabilization chips have gotten really good, hand holding a lens at or over 300mm is risky, even at higher shutter speeds. Seriously consider a monopod or perhaps a modular tripod.

I don't know squat about telephotos but I am very interested in Cedar Key. I flew over Cedar Key and took photos back in 1997 and the mangroves appeared to be about 1-2 meters high.

Can you distinguish the 3 mangrove species in Florida? Historically, Cedar Key is the last major population of the black mangrove progressing north along the Gulf Coast. In the lower coast Black Mangrove gets 10-15m tall. In the Caribbean it is used as timber for sawlogs in some areas. Could you take some photos of the mangroves? And if you see either of the other two species, definitely take a picture of them. If you don't mind doing this I'll PM my email address so that you can send them to me at work (I can accept very large files via email at work).


If it's not too great an imposition.

Bot

Not at all.

I'd be happy to take some pictures of the mangroves. They've got a pretty good nature center near where we go birding, so I'll see if they have some info as to which is which.

Ann

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1972 280 SEL 4.5 "Henrietta" - The Learning Experience
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Ann, there is most probably only one species, Black Mangrove (Avicennia). I'd be very surprised and extremely interested if the other two species were present: Red Mangrove (Rhizophora) and White Mangrove (Laguncularia).
All three are rather freeze-intolerant, which dictates their northern distribution limits. The freeze intolerance is Black > Red > White. Black mangrove has about the same tolerance as hardy oranges like Satsumas. White Mangrove is like a lime ---> dead.

The rule of thumb for hand holding shots is shoot at 1/focal length, so with a 300 shoot at 1/250 at least and with a 500 shoot at 1/500. One limitation of the mirror lenses (reflex) is they are f8 usually. Also, spectral highlights will appear as doughnuts which can be a little odd. But that is the price you pay for getting a 500 that is 4" long. My friend has a 500 Nikkor that is about 2 feet long. F3.5 I think.

Mike

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