![\"Canon](\"https:\/\/www.permuted.org.uk\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/lens_-001.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nL-R: Canon EOS 400D Body \/ Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro \/ Canon EF 24-105 F4L IS USM \/ Canon EOS 400D EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS \/ Canon EF 100-400mm f\/4.5-5.6L USM IS.<\/p>\n
As you can see the 100-400 lens (far right) is a mighty beast compared with the others, and it weighs about 1.4kg. Like the other Canon lenses it has image stablisation which is certainly helpful when it's extended to it maximum or when shooting in low light. The minimum focusing distance is about 6 feet. The zoom is a 'pump' action (ie you literally pull the lens in and out). It's my lens of choice for birds.<\/p>\n
The Sigma macro (far left) is mainly used for insects, but of late I've taken a number of fox portraits with it. It's the only prime lens (fixed focal length). It can focus down to a few inches. It doesn't have image stabilisation so decent light (or flash) is necessary for hand-held shots. Minimum focusing distance is 1 foot. The lens extends when focusing (unlike the other lenses which extend to zoom but focus internally). <\/p>\n
The 24-105 (centre left) is a decent lens for landscapes as it gives the widest angle of any of my current lenses, but it's main use is for photographing foxes at night as it allows me to be close and still able to keep the whole fox in the frame. Minimum focusing distance is about 18 inches.<\/p>\n
The 70-300 lens (centre right) is the most interesting lens in a technical sense. It's one of only two DO (diffractive optics) lenses Canon have produced, and is much shorter than a conventional 300mm zoom. It's not light, but certainly is much easier to carry around than the 100-400. If I'm restricted to single lens, this is probably the one of choice as it is so versatile. Minimum focusing distance is about 4.5 feet.<\/p>\n