70-300 Sigma Replacement Ideas? [Archive]

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Matt.

13-01-2007, 22:01

Jimmy_Lemon

13-01-2007, 22:23

This is just an idea at the moment as i haven't quite got the money yet (!). Anyway, i'd really like to replace my much hated Sigma 70-300 APO, i know this won't be a cheap one to replace either! Ideally i need reach of at least 300mm, it'll be used for sports mostly, and will need to be at f4 or better. What are my best options here? (keeping the price reasonable, ie. no 300mm f2.8 IS).

Thanks :)

:o I just got my 70-300 APO and love it already, then again I havent used it in anger yet :|

Anyway....erm will leave it to someone else for other lenses and I have just been staring at that one for ages.

Warspite

13-01-2007, 22:25

Going to have to be more specific about a budget and the reasons you dont like the Sigma.

Also what brand of camera are you using?

Chris L

13-01-2007, 22:44

Since the 300 f/2.8 IS L is £3k in the UK that still leaves us guessing somewhat at your available budget :)

A few suggestions for your (potentially long) list, Sigma do a 100-300 f/4 EX for £800 (from UK), a 120-300 f/2.8 EX for £1700 (again from UK). Canon do the 300 f/4 IS for £979. How about either the 100-300 f/4 or Canon 300 f/4 IS with a 1.4 extender to match?

If you chose to source the above lenses from Hong Kong Phooey the price would drop to £550, £1200 and £700 respectively.

DigitalRev also list a Sigma 135-400 f/4.5-5.6 for £300 though I've heard absoultely nothing about this lens so obviously make sure you research it before deciding whether to add it to your list.

PS: Since you mention the Canon 300 f/2.8 IS I've assumed you're a Canon user :)

HTH :)

Matt.

13-01-2007, 22:50

Yeah i'm a Canon user :)

I don't like the Sigma because, it's slow to focus, f4-5.6, very, very soft at 300, etc...

I don't want to go over £800 (less if possible), and this is only an idea anyway (i'm just trying to work out what i need to save for!) :) I'd probably also import or get it 2nd hand.

Joe T

14-01-2007, 07:25

Sigma 100-300 f4 sounds like it might suit you perfectly.

Alternatively the Sigma 70-200 2.8 plus 1.4tc might provide more flexibility.

DoubleT

14-01-2007, 07:26

get yourself a NON digital lens. i use a nikkor 70-300 which was a kit lens for my 35mm SLR and its full focal length is 450mm, good way of cheating imo ;)

Joe T

14-01-2007, 07:29

get yourself a NON digital lens. i use a nikkor 70-300 which was a kit lens for my 35mm SLR and its full focal length is 450mm, good way of cheating imo ;)

All lenses will have this effect mate.

DoubleT

14-01-2007, 08:14

really?, i thought it was just those that wernt built for the digital slr..

Joe T

14-01-2007, 08:17

really?, i thought it was just those that wernt built for the digital slr..

my 18-135 lens seems true but my other doesnt.

70 mm on my 18-135 is differnt to the 70mm on my 70-300 ( older lens)

It shouldnt be. See this (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15233) thread for a discussion of how the focal length of a lens does not change when designed for digital or not.

DoubleT

14-01-2007, 08:22

sorry. editied my above post cause i proved myself wrong :( ....

i was told that it was 1.5 x , something to do with the sensor crop or something

Joe T

14-01-2007, 08:25

The effective angle of view changes when used on a crop sensor (as you are only using the middle part of the image circle), but not the actual focal length.

People talk about a crop factor to give the equivalent focal length which would give the same angle of view on a non-crop sensor.

Does that make any sense? :)

Chris L

14-01-2007, 15:16

Sigma 100-300 f4 sounds like it might suit you perfectly.

Alternatively the Sigma 70-200 2.8 plus 1.4tc might provide more flexibility.

IMO I think the 100-300 f/4 would be the best buy too, especially with a 1.4tc thrown in and it would all be within budget :)

The problem with the 70-200 and a 1.4tc is that it would only give Matt a maximum 100-280 f/4 lens which he'd already have with the 100-300 f/4. The 1.4tc on the 100-300 f/4 however would give him 140-420 f/5.6 and he said he needs 300mm at least :)

Matt.

14-01-2007, 15:36

Thanks all :) I think this gives me a few ideas, and i think i'll wait to see what the summer brings. My short list would be this:
- Sigma 100-300 f4
- Canon 70-200 f4 (non-IS)
- Canon 300 f4 IS

Jonnyreb

14-01-2007, 15:55

Suggest you contact Kerso re the 300mm f/4 IS. Got a very good price from him and with the 1.4xTC included still works out cheaper than the highstreet price of the lens alone :)

matty

14-01-2007, 16:36

100-300 with a TC is a good bet Matt, the HSM version is very good