What Camera lens do you use?

[Jackomason]

I'm looking at getting a camera (Cannon t3i), its not expensive but i think it would be good to learn some basic stuff with, anyway I'd like to shoot some footage of targets @600+ yards. is it even worth looking into? especially considering the camera body is only $209? Ill probably get the camera either way just for family photos and stuff.

 

[cameraland]

Do you have any lenses? You can get a new Canon T6 with the 18-55 and the 75-300 with a case, plus as a member of the Hide we will throw in a memory card and cleaning kit for $399.99.
The newer camera has a much better processor to take better low light pictures plus it has wifi.
Call me with any questions

 

[Jackomason]

I'll have to call you guys today, I dont know much about cameras. I understand scopes though. Thanks guys!

 

[Nebulous]

Honestly when you start to get out to long ranges you might want to look at spotting scope/telescope adapter if you already have a good spotting scope.
In terms of a lens look at "mirrored lenses" (same optical design as a telescope) you can find an 800mm f8 (~14x magnification) for cheap used since they don't really make them any more (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Opteka-800mm-f-8-0-HD-compact-mirror-lens-w-canon-EF-mt-L-N-/163399408831)
Sigma just updated their "bigama" to a 60-600mm (~12x magnification) but its around 2k.
If you want the canon built 800mmf5.6photography lens they go for ~10k if someone is selling one.
And as was already stated don't get the t3i its just too old. If you are looking at something for family vacation photos I would look at the Sony mirorless cameras (a6300/6500). They are so much smaller than the cheap canon DSLRs and you can get adapters for almost any lens ever made reguradless of brand. At this point in time unless you need the optical viewfinder (sports photography) I cant recommended DSLRs for the average Joe

 

[missed]

I have a Canon 7D, the Canon 70-200L 2.8, 100-400L, Sigma 85mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4, and 17-40 2.8 are in my aresenal.

 

[Jackomason]

Well I really appreciate all the input, in talking with my wife I think it would be best to get the right equipment. The most cost effective route may be to get a spotting scope mount.

Although I really like the Sony a6300. And it may be something worth considering in the near future but it's hard not to look at that $$$ and not see powder and bullets. I'll have to do some more research on camera's and what is a realistic expectaion and what I'd be comfortable spending. I would like to give camera land a call still and get an idea of what my options are. I'm not against learning how to take pictures but theres always the danger of getting in too deep and being put off.

Thanks again guys! Any other suggestions are welcome!

 

[Sheldon N]

I'm looking at getting a camera (Cannon t3i), its not expensive but i think it would be good to learn some basic stuff with, anyway I'd like to shoot some footage of targets @600+ yards

I've owned pretty much all of the Canon lenses at one point or another. My suggestion is get a general purpose lens for your family photography needs, then buy a spotting scope with a Phone Skope adapter for shooting footage of targets with your iPhone. You're not going to have nearly enough magnification until you get up to the crazy expensive lenses, and even then a spotting scope will do the job just as well or better.

This is what a 12" wide target looks like at 575 yards, with a spotting scope and iPhone. This is at about 50 or 60x magnification on the spotting scope so to replicate with a camera you'd need about 1200mm of focal length.

 

[Jackomason]

That's beautiful!

 

[SmileMaker]

Here is my setup. Cell phone mounted to a scope. Between the 40x on the scope and the digital zoom on the cell phone some decent videos can be had.