1.4x TC or Sigma 150-500 ?

J

johngccfc

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John
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ok, so I know its a bit of an apple and pears comparison, but I was wondering was the general opinion was about the way I should be thinking.

I recently got a Canon 70-200 f2.8 II and as I'm sure is normal, I feel a little more reach would sometimes be useful.

I've been put off the 2xTC as (apparently) it seems to be soft, though the reach would be handy. The 1.4x TC seems to suffer from less softening so appeals more but doesn't offer THAT much more reach.

The reach of something like the Sigma 150-500 would be a bit of a game changer though and although its more expensive and so would need some saving up for, it is very appealing. A doubt over this is the mixed views that I've read on its softness.

I know I'd lose a stop (or two depending) with a TC but so does the Sigma so to start with, so it seems to boil down to reach and IQ.

I'd be grateful to hear opinions, perhaps even of options I may not be considering.

Thanks

btw my body is 550D which, when I win the lottery, will magic into a 5D mkII
 
I've had a Sigma 150-500 OS since january and I love it. I recently sold both my 7D and 5D2 and got a 5D3. I had a Canon 100-400 IS L as well, and when I went to just 1 body I only needed 1 long lens. I did a lot of testing between the Sigma and the Canon and the Sigma won through in the end.
The OS system of the Sigma is excellent, much better than the Canon. I managed to get a good shot at 1/10sec using the Sigma the other week. IQ was about equal when wide open at the long end, very good on both. AF speed was about the same but the Sigma seemed to handle failing light better, it would lock on while the Canon was hunting a bit. The Sigma also has the edge on reach, although it isn't actually a 500mm, more like somewhere between 470-480mm.

6986734786_63db744d29_c.jpg
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Taken at 1/800, ISO 1000 wide open at f6.3 @ 500mm. It's a Jpeg SOOC from a 5D3 and is a very heavy crop.
 
thanks for your response

i've seen this picture in the forum before and also the un/less cropped version. its very impressive and possible the one image that really makes me believe that this lens could be a cracker
 
I would go for the 150-500 Sigma, I use this all the time and haven't had any regrets, I have to say that it is with a Nikon though so I hope my opinion still counts!!! LOL
The lens is about three pounds in weight so if poss a monopod would be useful if you are out for a few hours, I take mine to nature reserves and have yet to find any fault with it. It is a lot of money but if you want an impartial opinion Digital Photo did a review of this a couple of months ago and you may be able to read it on the web.
 
Thanks for the compliments. Without blowing my own trumpet thats one of a lot of photos of similar quality. The lens is a dream on my 5D3 and needed no MA at all, but I've also used it to great effect on my 550D, 60D, 7D and a 5D2 and only the 7D needed a bit of MA. I bought mine in january from www.panamoz.com and it's under £600 there at the moment. Great price for a great lens.
 
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