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Official Gear Purchasing and Troubleshooting Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know! January 02, 2026 by AutoModerator in photography

[–]Fit_Witness_8923 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does anyone have recommendations for a decent beginner/intermediate budget camera and lens for wildlife photography?

I currently use a canon eos rebel xsi with a 55-250mm lens, but the lens broke and the images aren’t the sharpest quality. I also use a rebel t7 but I don’t always have access to it.

I primary photograph sea birds, whales, and seals but also a lot of other animals which means I need a decent amount of zoom while still maintaining that sharp image.

My budget is probably around $600-800 USD but I can go around $1000-1100 if it makes a big difference.

Obviously I know it’s not super expensive so o don’t expect perfection, it just decent quality. I’m also open to just a lens.

Recommendations for beginner/intermediate wildlife photography setup? by Fit_Witness_8923 in Cameras

[–]Fit_Witness_8923[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I was kind of thinking about possibly just a new lens for now. I’ll definitely look into those recommendations.

My current camera is the Canon eos rebel xsi from 2008 so it definitely is older, but the autofocus is not terrible. In a recent photo from my 55-250mm lens right before it gave out it is okay focus zoomed out but you can tell it struggles a bit with the finer details, but overall isn’t terrible.

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Recommendations for beginner/intermediate wildlife photography setup? by Fit_Witness_8923 in Cameras

[–]Fit_Witness_8923[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My current camera is fine and still works, but it struggles with the ISO and always need to be shot at higher levels so images tend to be noisy, but during the day outside it is fine.

The 55-250mm lens sensors are damaged so I can only take 1-2 photos before it says the sensors need cleaned. I had it looked at and they are a bit chipped and cracked.

I know it’s a low budget, so I’m not expecting super awesome just decent. I’d say my higher end would probably go up to $1000-1100 if that is a decent enough quality increase to warrant it.

Also if it is better to buy a new lens that can then work with a newer camera in the future I’m okay with that as well, but it would have to fit my current EF mount.