Zoom lens for 7D fast action shots of jumping marlin

[Fishing Photog]

Hi Guys,

Im looking to expand my lens range, and the next step is a long range lens that will enable me to capture action shots of Marlin and other game fish jumping in the distance.

Howver as I only have one body (7d), and often changing lenses in a boat is difficult, it would be useful to still go as wide as 18mm or similiar so I can still get boat side shots/portraits without having to put my wide angle on.

Looking for something thats sturdy, fast, image stabiliser and good value for money.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Stewart

[RedL]

no such lens mate
What sort of distance are the Marlin ?
Whats your budget?
May be 2 bodies, one with telephoto and the other with your wide lens
Sigma do a 50-500 which is fair in IQ, not so fast to focus, which is important for jumping fish.
The best single lens compromise IMO would be a 70-200

[fess67]

I suspect you are asking too much from a lens.

The 7D has a crop factor of 1.6 so even an 18mm lens is going to give an effective length of 30. Then you want to zoom out to 'long rang lens' distance. And for it to be 'fast'

Good luck lol.

Not really sure what to advise. I suppose an 18 - 250 Sigma would fit the range but I do not have any experience of the lens. Price not bad though.

[Fishing Photog]

Thanks for your advice guys.

The editor of fishing wild uses the Ef 28-300 but I just checked the price and almost fell over....

Two bodies aren't an option at this stage although its obviously the way forward.

Looking to spend up to a $1000, hopefully a touch less, with fast auto focus and image stabilization fairly important.

Anything up to around the 300 zoom will be fine, I understand a lens like this is a compromise.

Thanks again for your advice, would love to get some great jump shots!

Cheers

Stew

[swifty]

28-300 on FF or crop?
If ~300mm's what you need then 200mm on a cropped sensor body'll get you there.
I suggest perhaps compromise on the wide end. Something like the 70-200 f4 L will be very good.
I don't think any of the superzooms are very good on the long end but will need to check that. There may be an exception to the rule.