Canon EF 300mm F4 L Lens On Canon 40D DSLR - Pro Wildlife Camera Setup (From a Decade Ago)

[@snappiness]

What's your cheap camera/lens combo of choice?

[@fosterb300]

Nikon D90 or a 3000 series body and AF-P 70-300, that combo can be had for $300 or less.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

@@fosterb300 ah, yes, that combination seriously popular especially for hiking and researching in the forest. In case our budget's really strict, we can take a third party lenses like tamron or sigma. Used gear is recommended as long as it free from fungi..

[@fricki1997]

K10D and a Sigma 70-300mm lens, plus a manual 28, 35 or 50mm, covers most bases, the Sigma has decent image quality considering the age and also doubles as a 1:2 macro at 300mm, allowing you to take pictures of shy insects and animals. A K10D with kit lens can be found for about 100€, a Sigma 70-300 for 20-50€, and vintage glass for 10-30€ a piece.

[@thejustintung]

Old Fuji body, and some classic Minolta glass!

[@danigonzalez4299]

Buy a Sigma 100-300mm f4. No matter what brand you are using.

[@andrewdoeshair]

Oh man I just bought a 40D for $40 as a gift for someone I know who wanted to learn photography, and the moment I took it out of the package my brains blew out the back of my head- I couldn’t believe how solid and robust it felt. I expected it to be made of plastic and weigh as much as a toilet paper tube. So I got to play and test it for a few days before giving it away, and in that time I fell in love. I need to get one now.

[@887Rabbit]

7 months later I hope you got one and are loving it?

[@Eagle1349]

It is great seeing you recommending used pro gear instead of spending a ton of money on the latest sparkling gear. I have been shooting for 3 decades, I believe in purchasing solid pro gear. Initially, I purchased new gear when needed, I soon realized that pro gear was durable and had a long shelf life. I asked myself why spend a ton of money for gear when there are guys who love to purchase the latest greatest pro gear more than they love making beautiful images. They receive more enjoyment talking about dynamic range , frames per second than actually making images. I have had those type guys approach me on major college football sidelines asking me about my equipment. I have learned to sit back a few years and wait for those guys to dump their relatively new lightly used pro gear for the newer gear that was marketed to make them believe that it will make better pictures. Yesterday's technological marvels are not going to become obsolete overnight despite what the marketers are saying in advertisements. Nice video!

[@aperturecollect]

I got my 40d new in about 2008 and have had the shutter repaired once at over $200. The camera came back better than new I think. I shoot EF 28-135 USM IS most of the time but prefer the EF-S 18-55 for street etc.

[@dirtymikeactual]

There’s still shops that will work on the 40D?

[@aperturecollect]

@@dirtymikeactual It was just out of warranty at the time, I sent it to Canon in New Jersey if I remember correctly.

[@scrptwic]

Ok you know my setup *istDL and Tamron 75-300 4.0-5.6 it works for me great photos can still be shot with older equipment.

[@snappiness]

Well said :)

[@unbroken1010]

Where you been? Everything good have you been able to get your hands on the new Pentax yet. ?

[@snappiness]

Just busy, that's all. I have not tried the K-3 III. I don't have any plans on buying one. Maybe in a few years on the used market :)

[@krisceuppens5273]

Such a combination makes sense in my book, enjoy it!

[@ssthapit]

My first 2 DSLRs we're bought new 19 & 12 years ago. Since then I have gone with good lens/cheap body combo.

[@Emma-zk6it]

I am planning to try something similar with the pentax 300 f4 and the k200. I'm curious how that lens and ccd sensor will work together.

[@snappiness]

Have you seen my video with the da 300mm f4 on my pentax k10d? I think you'll be very pleased. Image quality has been excellent. Though I don't throw it on the K10D too frequently.

[@wormhole331]

I picked up a 40D for $20 that was being sold for parts “no power” I fix electronics so I thought I’d pick it up and see if I could fix it.turns out it just needed a new battery and works great. I was going to sell it but I think I’m going to keep it so I won’t feel bad if it gets banged around. I’m too scared to use my $4800 R5C in some situations and always worry it’ll get messed up. That’s another reason why cheaper cameras are good to have.

[@jravell]

I just made the exact same purchase! It'll be here in a few days, and I'm hoping that it's the same fixable problem.

[@mf____]

My favorite combo was the 40d with the 24-105 L IS USM. The 70-200 F4 L IS USM was also great.

[@887Rabbit]

haven't got any L glass but the 40D works flawlessly with some older M42 Zeiss lenses with focus confirmation adapters. Because it only cost me fifty quid for the camera I don't mind not being quite so careful with it (although it's built like a tank anyway). Great video & thanks to the algorithm for putting these on for me.

[@iiTzGeo96]

im using a 600d with a tamron 150-600 G2

[@marike1100]

Couldn’t agree more. Just purchased a 40D with an eye towards mounting some great older L glass like the 70-200 f4 L or 300 f4 L. Picked up a mint 40D for $100 and the great Tamron 17-50 f2.8 for $140. Bam 💥. Don’t care about video but I really wanted a CCD sensor DSLR (either 40D, D200, K10D) for the great colors, almost slide film look. The fact that the 40D was a $1300 prosumer body with a magnesium alloy build and 5D style handling is a huge bonus. Most of the newer cameras have mostly improved in low light and video features. (I have modern m43 cameras and my iPhone for that). I’d much rather build up a collection of older L or Nikkor lenses while getting joy out of a top notch older body.

[@paulhotson5820]

That orange strip must go it's scaring the birds away hehe👍

[@unbroken1010]

Put a rainbow in front of a horse. it gets freaked out. it thinks it's a hole🙃

[@snappiness]

Haha! It very well may...

[@verablack3137]

I really like my Minolta 200mm f2.8 APO and 1.4x TC APO, along with my Sony A57 when doing wildlife stuff. Without the TC it gets great low light ability and eqv to 300mm reach, and with it 420mm at f4 it's low light performance isn't as good but the range is amazing. Once I sold the lens and accessories that came with my A57 I paid less than $100 for it, and I am much happier spending $500 on a lens and a TC than getting a $600 camera body. 16mp, 10 and 12 shots per second burst modes, decent 1080p video with phase detect autofocus, panorama, fill flash, a flippy (under) screen, a large battery and an OVF for less than $100? I mean I bought an A6300 to replace it and it didn't even hold up, so I sold it, I would rather have better lenses for this (and my Minolta 7000 AF so I only buy screw drive lenses).

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Why dont you get an X-T1?

[@beyond990]

It's all about the glass, get the best you can and like you said build up the body later 😁

[@sayurupehasara9893]

I also have this 40D dslr camera..

[@russelcapatoy2965]

Great review… for those of us who is on tight budget, this really helps. 🍺

I got My fiesta 50mm 4 years after My a100... Good lens change everithing.

[@AlbertoZaccaria]

I was about to buy a Canon 40D and one good lense (about 50mm) to start taking pictures. But I'm afraid of the impossibility of taking videos, and I'm opting for buying a 1300D (found at the same price). I liked more the 40D for the rough style but I don't know. I don't know if I'll have to just buy it and in the future buy another one to make videos or just buy the 1300D!

[@snappiness]

Would you take a lot of video with the 50mm specifically? For most of these budget cameras, a smart phone is going to shoot better video. Usually stabilized with nice color baked in. The only thing is it couldn't replicate the look of a large sensor camera with a fast lens. But if you are just shooting normal stuff wide and stopped down, it's something to consider.

[@AlbertoZaccaria]

@@snappiness thank you so much for the observations! I finally found a very cheap Canon EOS D500 and I opted for this one (almost for the price, a lot under 100€ with a 17-55 that I’m going to sell) The 40D still remains the coolest guy here but you know, sometimes money can make difference :)

[@anuragchaudhary6307]

@@AlbertoZaccaria The 40D can shoot video if you update it to ML

[@strix_pht]

Original 300/4 lens is extremely sharp!

[@jasonandrews7355]

15 years ago? Gameboy Colour? Dude, the DS was out 15 years ago! How's that for feeling old? As for cheap camera/lens, I love my $200 Fuji X-E1 paired with a sub $100 MC/MD Minolta prime (28/35/50.) It's hard to best that level of build quality and image quality for the price.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

...especially with a cheap third party lenses has been more accessible than ever (like ttartisan and meike), mirrorless system becomes more reachable for student and hobbyist. Oh my, now I'm interested in fuji lol. Never seen a Nintendo ds, was it popular back then?

[@jasonandrews7355]

@@Durio_zibethinus definitely! Between that and adapting old glass, it's a great way to go. Seriously? Yeah, it sold over 150 million units. One of the most popular systems of all time.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

@@jasonandrews7355 I just looked it up on the internet, I may not old enough for recognizing it, but still, interesting console, it has dual screen.

[@unbroken1010]

Not as old as😁🙃 coming from owning an Atari 2600 or commodore vic-20

[@snappiness]

Oh wow. When people say 20 years ago I still think 1980 (wasn't born yet). Crazy. The xe1 seems fantastic. I had the xpro1 and loved it. The xe series seems a little more practical.

[@Fujik1966]

I use Fujifilm 102 megapixel MF. There is no return now. Before it, all 10 years there was a Samsung NX200, 20 megapixels. For temporary photos, there is a smartphone that can easily replace the NX200.

[@jimmyhinAK]

I wonder how my 80d would do with this lens?

[@Ben-qn3it]

Enjoying my $30 fujifilm s2 pro and tamron 70-200mm f2.8 for $200

[@snappiness]

Killer! Really nice setup and price!

[@soulshine8531]

This was great info! I have a 40D I’ve been wanting a longer lense for a long time but of course always faster as i shoot lots of birds nature etc.. i will look for one of these! To get what i want I’ve been using my little Canon Powershot which is actually awesome for what it is get some fabulous shots. IS is dang good as i hand hold mostly. But it’s a little difficult to hold it’s so small. I’m moving out of country and finally sold all my film so just learn i guess some are using the FD lenses on mirrorless.. ✌🏼

[@steveolesen8033]

The canon 50d with the canon 300mm f4 👍

[@ericalexandre1]

Just got my 300 f4 and a 7D 😁

[@snappiness]

Awesome kit. Have fun.

[@siebevranken581]

I have the same camera body but a cheap canon 90-300mm lens plus the 18-55mm kitlens. it's good enough but the lenses are not sharp and the sensor is not perfect for cropping in to animals

[@danigonzalez4299]

So you are starting to have a passion for 300mm primes I see here :) Deffinitelly buy a good lens, the body will be updated later. Its the lens what passes the light to the sensor. Btw was able to get borrowed a K3-iii this week. Its a fantastic camera. But i can say it because i got great lenses to test on it. Will try to share some images at your community as soon as I can.

[@snappiness]

Well I have been obsessed with my Pentax one so then someone I know wanted something like it for themselves (but they shoot canon). Fun to play with. Very cool about the K3III! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially as someone who really knows how to push the limits of their cameras and get the most out of them. Sure, drop them on the forum when you get a chance :)

[@jravell]

High resolution doesn't mean much when the lens is soft.

[@SohamDas1995]

My cheap lens & camera combo is not actually that cheap if I had to buy it new. I got a totally fine ( there are some cosmetic blemishes) Nikon D3s, Nikon 300mm f4 & a 1.4 tc for 650 USD total. I think it's awesome deal

[@snappiness]

Fantastic deal! What a great setup.

Nice video, Like 30 and Bye from Italy :)

[@snappiness]

Hello! Thanks! :)

[@MrRaduso]

Hello, just over the weekend I had the opportunity to try out the canon 300f4 on my 40D and I was really pleased with the result that I saw directly in the camera. My current job will be regular viewing of the bazaar where the 300mm is shown so that I can buy it immediately, the sharpness, color and speed are fantastic! stabilization is a bit noisy, but the output is perfect! After editing in post-processing, I still can't believe my eyes.. Your video is probably not very high quality, because the photos don't look that nice, but in fact the 300mm is a perfect lens!

[@johnnyc.5979]

I'm beginning to realize that all that money I spent on older out of date cameras could have been better spent on one really good camera. Don't you think? I just bought an Olympus E-PL1 for $86 w/lens, didn't get it shipped yet, but I'm still wondering WHY I bought it? Out of nostalgia, or to show people how adept I am in my photography by declaring, "Hey, look at this image, nice, huh? And it's only 12 mp?" Or maybe because I have GAS and older cameras are much cheaper and have better value? Maybe you can explain it better.

[@snappiness]

I get you. I go through phases. I'll find cheap old cameras and pick them up, then once I have too many to even use and the novelty is over I sell most of them and buy a nicer lens for my main camera haha. It could definitely be argued I could save time by just saving up and buying nice lens. But I get a lot of enjoyment out of these old cameras, and some of them do stick around in my arsenal longer term. I'm in no rush to have lots of nice gear anyway. Just in it for the ride :)

[@DVAmarkera]

50 bucks camera? Sorry eos40d but I will choose old alpha 450 - 550 - 550 - 55 with CMOS, for sports

[@snappiness]

The Sony DSLRs seem like a really good buy. Many people don't even realize they exist because they just think of sonys more popular and newer mirrorless. Haven't tried one out yet, but if I see a sweet deal with some nice lenses I just may :)

[@lueniopue2488]

Cheaper body and good lens ... lens can make all the difference ... I have a old canon t3i paired with a 50mm 1.4 ou a 70-200 mm 2.8 , results are amazing ... same with my old Nikon d70 paired with a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4

[@snappiness]

Wonderful. Good pairings :)

[@FDA-72]

40d😁

[@williamhouse23]

Nikon d200 & 300mm f/4. $500 usd.

[@NathanB417]

I'm at the point of "save money on the camera so I can afford a lens" it ain't easy 🤷‍♂️

[@PaulWilkinson]

I have no issues with older equipment but I can't help but feel most of those images were underwhelming, I'd almost say out of focus at times. Not the usual Snappiness quality. It may have been the camera, the lens or the user but I just felt they weren't quite up to scratch, sorry.

[@snappiness]

Definitely influenced by only having it for a day. The two I was most excited about were the yellow bellied bird in the grass with dew (heavily cropped and loss of contrast due to shooting against sun) and the baby owl. Not because it's a great shot, but because I've never seen one before! But I do think the lens holds up well, so I take full responsibility as the user for the images ;)

[@ncallend]

Well, when the normal workhorse is a K1 and DA* 300mm it's really hard to match that IQ. The pentax 300 has to be one of the best lenses optically ever made. But, I like to play this game from time to time and there is a huge stable of really great old canon lenses. The tricky part now is that once you have a really nice lens bought used at a crazy price, a used mirrorless body and adapter will probably cost a little more but also be heaps better in terms of IQ. But, in 5 years even things like a D850 will be cheap. Always buy great lenses first!

[@vgee3926]

@@snappiness that owl shot was awesome

[@LuisGarcia-036]

Im just a dude, but most of these shots left something to be desired… I agree with the theory, but I’m sure there’s a limit. This is setup is good because it makes you have to consider each shot very carefully, but you’d want to upgrade pretty quickly to a more premium bargain bin body, so you can actually start seeing results for your efforts

[@Durio_zibethinus]

No no no no, I don't have any problems playing with an older camera like 40D, but as low as 50$? Sometimes I wonder If we're still on the same planet lol. Here in SEA we'd only get a 40D's top cover for 50$ :']

[@unbroken1010]

Tell me about it you should see the delusional prices on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist sometimes couple weeks ago I saw dude list a 5d for $500 stating that no he's not going to go as low as all the KZbin videos say. Needless to say he removed it off the market a couple of weeks later😂 I think he got pummeled with a lot of messages that said you can keep it that price. 😂

[@Durio_zibethinus]

@@unbroken1010 what an interesting story, I see, it happened all over place...

[@snappiness]

Yeah they go for pennies over here. So many DSLRs for $100 or less :)

[@zoltantolgyesi3891]

How funny that you are talking about how good a cheap combo can be, while taking and showing absolutely terrible photos here. You can't be that biased to think these are decent photos.. Come on.