Lens recommendation for wildlife filming

[Ayan Pratap]

Anyone with experience in wildlife filming has any recommendations for what mms are preferred for wildlife filming / nature shots?

It would depend on how far you are, but am not trying to do anything extreme where I am filming lions in CU from a mile away.

I am planning a documentary and will be on top of my FJ cruiser for an entire day filming animal activity / nature around me at my location.

I was thinking about renting the sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3. However, I would hate to see the aperture change if I need to zoom in quickly in the same shot.

The other option is sigma 120-300mm f2.8. Doesn't have the wide end covered. Although I doubt I would need to film anything that would be close to me.

Any other suggestions? Trying to get something for my Canon mount on the Epic. Something affordable to rent for a day.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

All you ever wanted to know about Lens recommendation for wildlife filming, but were too shy to search

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...ure-shoots-are-people-using-most-successfully

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?89989-Wildlife-lens-for-RED-ONE

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?69848-NATURAL-HISTORY-CINEMATOGRAPHY

 

[Ayan Pratap]

Awesome.. thanks Pawel.

 

[Jeff Whitehurst]

Lately I've been using a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM with a Canon 2X EF Extender III for filming birds in the rain forest. My needs don't exactly match with what you're after, but for me I like the light weight, 2 stabilization modes, USM (since I'm also recording onboard audio), the optics are really sharp and AF works fast. The doubler restricts me to f5.6, but even in the relatively dim conditions I'm in, I haven't found that I would often choose anything more open than that anyway. My routine is if I catch some good shots zoomed in close, then right after I go wide and get what will later become my establishing shot. Takes maybe 1 minute since you have to power the brain down to switch and the aperture matches between the two. Overall, not a bad system since I'm basically creating a Canon EF 70-400mm f5.6L IS.

Here's a short collection of shots I posted online. Just about all these shots are with the doubler. Hope it helps.