wildlife lens?

[corry]

have some bonus money coming and I am looking to purchase a better lens for wildlife photography, mostly birds, can anyone recommend a good beginner one for me? I'm thinking i'd like to have a 400m length at least. have a canon xti

[OsmosisStudios]

Canon Ef 100-400 or Sigma 150-500.

[inkista]

EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. Otherwise it's Sigma. If you want to handhold the lens most of the time, though, I'd go for the 120-400 OS HSM, rather than the 50-500 or 150-500. It's faster and a bit smaller/lighter.

[Sloseph]

whats your budget?

i have the 55-250 which is a fair lens, it took some adapting too and now i can get good quality images from it but thats the low price range

if you have money to burn go for the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5/5.6L USM Image Stabilized

it all depends on your price range really

[RichardTaylor]

I own the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens, and it is my most used lens.

It is a very versatile lens.
You are getting as lot of reach, and not just for wildlife.
It's great also for just reaching in to capture flowers, butterflies, head shots of people at events and action including sports in good light..

The only real downside is that you may find it a little heavy as a general purpose very long walk around lens. For long shoots, hours, a mono pod helps keep the weight off your arms.

[corry]

I'm thinking around $1500 and I know I'll be able to use it for lots of other things as well which is why I'm considering spending the $$. I have a mono pod and tripod and expect I'll be making more use of them with a heavier lens.

thanks....I'll see what i can find on those you've mentioned!