100-400 zoom lens for Canon 600d

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Bob Monkhouse

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Hi there everyone, I've just signed up for your forum as I would like some advice as to what lens I should get for my 600d. Firstly, I'm not what you would call a photographer, just someone who likes taking pictures, usually of my children, Grandchildren, dogs,cats etc so dont claim to be an expert.
I use a 55-250 zoom lens for most applications, usually of my Grandchildren playing rugby or football, I've found the 250 focal length a bit lacking so thought a 400 would be more use, I see there's several 100-400 autofocus lens available, what would you advise? I don't wish to spend thousands, as I said above,I take pictures, not photos if you see what I mean. I've seen a new one at around £600, Would I be better off buying a used one,assuming that better quality ones are available at the price? Thanks for any and all advice,regards,Bob Monkhouse
 
Pick up a used

Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.​

It’s sharp and pretty lightweight and whilst not the fastest AF it’s decent enough. What lens have you seen for new at £600?
 
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Mintchocs said:
Pick up a used

Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.​

It’s sharp and pretty lightweight and whilst not the fastest AF it’s decent enough. What lens have you seen for new at £600?
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Mintchocs said:
Pick up a used

Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.​

It’s sharp and pretty lightweight and whilst not the fastest AF it’s decent enough. What lens have you seen for new at £600?
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This is something I have been looking at but I'm not sure if it's new or second hand, it's been a long time since I did anything but take pictures,I think the worst thing that could have happened is for everyone, including me, to have a half decent camera on their phone so I've become lazy and not really bothered with increasing my knowledge since I had a Olympus OM2n. In fact,I've just had to order a book to refresh my limited knowledge. Doh!
 

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Bob Monkhouse said:
This is something I have been looking at but I'm not sure if it's new or second hand, it's been a long time since I did anything but take pictures,I think the worst thing that could have happened is for everyone, including me, to have a half decent camera on their phone so I've become lazy and not really bothered with increasing my knowledge since I had a Olympus OM2n. In fact,I've just had to order a book to refresh my limited knowledge. Doh!
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That's a mark 1 version and very, very likely used as it's not a lens Canon make anymore, with it being replaced with the Mark 2. The mark 1 is a fine lens but the zoom is push/pull, not twist and not to everyone's taste. It also had a reputation for sucking in dust. That said, I had the Mark 1 and it was a fine lens, it was pretty sharp but then I got the Mark 2, which is a very significantly better lens.

IMO, you'd be better off going to one of the used dealers (online) and see what they have. I use London Camera Exchange (LCE).

Just of note, there is an RF 100-400, which won't fit on your 600D, being a different mount to EF.
 
Going price for a used Mk2 100-400 EF is £1000 (for a mint one), it'll be a step up from the 55-250.

Sigmas make good lenses, but given they did not have the licence from Canon for the EF mount, I would steer you to the Canon EF (the Sigma lenses do work but in my experience they are one firmware update from being rendered inoperable).
 
welshwizard645 said:
Going price for a used Mk2 100-400 EF is £1000 (for a mint one), it'll be a step up from the 55-250.

Sigmas make good lenses, but given they did not have the licence from Canon for the EF mount, I would steer you to the Canon EF (the Sigma lenses do work but in my experience they are one firmware update from being rendered inoperable).
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I thought Canon stopped releasing firmware updates for EF mount DSLRs.
 
Brentor said:
I thought Canon stopped releasing firmware updates for EF mount DSLRs.
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I'm referring to my experience with my Nikon fit Sigma 180EX f3.5 macro, Nikon issued firmware update then the lens stopped working on my D810 (but not on the D500); I would have expected Sigma to have a fix for that but given it was an EX but not a 'Global' series (Art/Sport/Contemporary) they weren't interested.

The 600D is not a new camera and I am sure that in the time it was bought new Canon has issued firmware updates (which might not have been applied to the camera) even if they have 'ditched' servicing EF.
 
welshwizard645 said:
I'm referring to my experience with my Nikon fit Sigma 180EX f3.5 macro, Nikon issued firmware update then the lens stopped working on my D810 (but not on the D500); I would have expected Sigma to have a fix for that but given it was an EX but not a 'Global' series (Art/Sport/Contemporary) they weren't interested.

The 600D is not a new camera and I am sure that in the time it was bought new Canon has issued firmware updates (which might not have been applied to the camera) even if they have 'ditched' servicing EF.
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Seems you were unlucky.

If all the firmware updates have been applied to the 600D and the Sigma lens works, there shouldn’t be any problems.

I would also suggest the Canon 100-400 L mark ii, but it could be overkill for an old entry level camera.
 
Dale. said:
That's a mark 1 version and very, very likely used as it's not a lens Canon make anymore, with it being replaced with the Mark 2. The mark 1 is a fine lens but the zoom is push/pull, not twist and not to everyone's taste. It also had a reputation for sucking in dust. That said, I had the Mark 1 and it was a fine lens, it was pretty sharp but then I got the Mark 2, which is a very significantly better lens.

IMO, you'd be better off going to one of the used dealers (online) and see what they have. I use London Camera Exchange (LCE).

Just of note, there is an RF 100-400, which won't fit on your 600D, being a different mount to EF.
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Thanks for the information, as you can see I don't know a great deal about dslr's so your advice is more than welcome. I'll give that one a miss.
welshwizard645 said:
I'm referring to my experience with my Nikon fit Sigma 180EX f3.5 macro, Nikon issued firmware update then the lens stopped working on my D810 (but not on the D500); I would have expected Sigma to have a fix for that but given it was an EX but not a 'Global' series (Art/Sport/Contemporary) they weren't interested.

The 600D is not a new camera and I am sure that in the time it was bought new Canon has issued firmware updates (which might not have been applied to the camera) even if they have 'ditched' servicing EF.
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I'll look into to that,as I say,I'm not particularly well versed on the dslr and just like to take photos of my Grandchildren playing rugby, my cats,dogs etc so up to date quality isn't that important. I think the camera is 14 or 15 years old, I know my sonr looked into buying a newer model but the reviews of the model he was looking at weren't particularly good. Do you think it's worth spending £600ish on a lens for this camera or should I be looking for another body?
 
Better off spending money on a good lens like the EF100-400 mk2, there were no bad cameras 14-15 years ago and a 14-15 year old camera will still do a job....so go for the lens and keep the body for now. That's my suggestion.
 
welshwizard645 said:
Better off spending money on a good lens like the EF100-400 mk2, there were no bad cameras 14-15 years ago and a 14-15 year old camera will still do a job....so go for the lens and keep the body for now. That's my suggestion.
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Thanks,thats what I thought, especially considering what I use the camera for.
 
Mintchocs said:
Pick up a used

Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF.​

It’s sharp and pretty lightweight and whilst not the fastest AF it’s decent enough. What lens have you seen for new at £600?
Click to expand...
I don't think Ive actually seen a new one for that price,it looks like I've been looking at used but the ads aren't clear on the fact,it looks like I'm going to have to look for a decent used one for that money, I can't see to spending over a thousand pounds just to take a few photos of my Grandchildren/dogs/cats etc
 
welshwizard645 said:
Better off spending money on a good lens like the EF100-400 mk2, there were no bad cameras 14-15 years ago and a 14-15 year old camera will still do a job....so go for the lens and keep the body for now. That's my suggestion.
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I have been looking at 2x converters,good used genuine Canon ones are around £130ish, what is your opinion on me using one of these for the time being with my 55-250mm zoom? This would get me the extra focal length I need but at less than 25% of the cost of the 100-400mm lens. I still want the said lens but thought the converter would do me for the time being.
 
The camera won’t autofocus with a 2x TC with that lens. My personal preference would be to get a secondhand Canon R50 and RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 for about £1200. You’re going to have a much better experience overall once you learn how to use it.
 
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Mintchocs said:
The camera won’t autofocus with a 2x TC with that lens. My personal preference would be to get a secondhand Canon R50 and RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 for about £1200. You’re going to have a much better experience overall once you learn how to use
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I'm not even a competent amateur photographer, photography isn't my hobby as such so spending over a thousand quid on a camera I might use a couple of times a week is out of the question, I find the 250 lens a little too short for photos across the other side of a rugby pitch and just want something to give a better image than I'm achieving at the moment, I intend to buy the 100-400 mentioned here somewhere at some point in the future but £700 is my absolute limit,I had come across the converter at £130 and wondered if it would work as a stopgap, I'll leave it till I can convince my bank manager (wife) that it's a good idea to spend £6-700 on a lens.
 
welshwizard645 said:
I am not sure that the 55-250 will be compatible with a TC, not to mention that you lose AF capability at f8 with that camera.
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I've been looking at ads for the Sigma you recommend and it's making my head spin,there are so many out there in various conditions from supposedly good to excellent and prices seem to range from around £400 to double that,I'm going to have to be wary of what I'm buying as I know very little. I think for the time being I'll stick to the 55-250 and continue to keep track of the prices for the Sigma,probably best for me to buy from a shop where I can get first hand advice on what I'm buying, I'll forget about the converter,that would have been a waste of money for sure. Thanks for the advice.
 
Bob Monkhouse said:
Thanks,I'll put the money towards the 100-400
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Just for interests sake,where would one use a converter? Also,I think it's time I did some reading on getting to know more about lenses and cameras as my knowledge is woefully inadequate, could you recommend a book that will at least teach the basics of use of various lenses and so on.
 
Bob Monkhouse said:
Just for interests sake,where would one use a converter? Also,I think it's time I did some reading on getting to know more about lenses and cameras as my knowledge is woefully inadequate, could you recommend a book that will at least teach the basics of use of various lenses and so on.
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A converter is best used on a lens which has a fast aperture like f2.8, f4. The reasoning behind this was that these type of lenses let in more light and a teleconverter reduces the amount of light by one stop for a x1.4 and two stops for x2. With dslrs at around f8 not all can focus, need to check the manual. I can’t think of any books but have a look in secondhand bookshops, library or search on YouTube for simon_dentremont.
 
Bob Monkhouse said:
there are so many out there in various conditions from supposedly good to excellent and prices seem to range from around £400 to double that,I'm going to have to be wary of what I'm buying as I know very little.
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double post
 
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Bob Monkhouse said:
there are so many out there in various conditions from supposedly good to excellent and prices seem to range from around £400 to double that,I'm going to have to be wary of what I'm buying as I know very little.
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Just for a little context; I’ve just sold mine to MPB, it’ll probably be sold as ‘good’, which means cosmetically it looks quite well used, but practically it’s a perfectly good lens, as in - it works as well today as when it left the factory.

I bought it used about 3 years ago for £700 ish, I’ve used it on about 4 occasions (which is why I decided it didn’t deserve the space in my bag).

So my advice? Just buy one, from a dealer so you know you’ll be happy. But you’ll also want a monopod if you’re planning to use it for sports, it’s a big heavy thing, and it moves a bit in the wind too.
 
Phil V said:
Just for a little context; I’ve just sold mine to MPB, it’ll probably be sold as ‘good’, which means cosmetically it looks quite well used, but practically it’s a perfectly good lens, as in - it works as well today as when it left the factory.

I bought it used about 3 years ago for £700 ish, I’ve used it on about 4 occasions (which is why I decided it didn’t deserve the space in my bag).

So my advice? Just buy one, from a dealer so you know you’ll be happy. But you’ll also want a monopod if you’re planning to use it for sports, it’s a big heavy thing, and it moves a bit in the wind too.
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Thanks, I'm determined to buy one,probably by the end of the year,I have things like pistons,crankshafts and other expensive engine bits to buy for the scooter engines I'm building, I was using the 55-250 on Saturday and it's just that bit too short for photos across the other side of the pitch. I was using the 18-55 yesterday as my 9 year old Grandson plays on a much smaller pitch, I did use my 50mm for some photos and was quite pleased with the results, for some reason I rarely use it but it's a good lens,well I think so anyway. Thanks for the advice. I'm just about to put another post up for advice on the 2x converter I've mentioned but not in the context of the 55-250.
 
Mintchocs said:
A converter is best used on a lens which has a fast aperture like f2.8, f4. The reasoning behind this was that these type of lenses let in more light and a teleconverter reduces the amount of light by one stop for a x1.4 and two stops for x2. With dslrs at around f8 not all can focus, need to check the manual. I can’t think of any books but have a look in secondhand bookshops, library or search on YouTube for simon_dentremont.
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Aha! This was going to be my next question. I used my 50mm f1.8 lens yesterday, for some reason it's not a lens I use regularly but I was pleased with the results , I'm going to buy the 100-400 Sigma but was wondering if a 2x converter would suit the 50mm f1.8, this would give me a focal length of 100mm (fairly obvious really Doh!) What is your opinion? Do I need it? Considering I also have the 18-55mm Canon lens, with the 100-400 I would then have all the lenses I really need. ( Although I have always wanted a fisheye lens ,not sure why).
 
Bob Monkhouse said:
Aha! This was going to be my next question. I used my 50mm f1.8 lens yesterday, for some reason it's not a lens I use regularly but I was pleased with the results , I'm going to buy the 100-400 Sigma but was wondering if a 2x converter would suit the 50mm f1.8, this would give me a focal length of 100mm (fairly obvious really Doh!) What is your opinion? Do I need it? Considering I also have the 18-55mm Canon lens, with the 100-400 I would then have all the lenses I really need. ( Although I have always wanted a fisheye lens ,not sure why).
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I very much doubt that the 2x converter will work on the 50mm for the same reasons as above. The Canon compatibility information should give a clear answer.
 
Bob Monkhouse said:
wondering if a 2x converter would suit the 50mm f1.8, this would give me a focal length of 100mm (fairly obvious really Doh!)
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The Canon 2x converter is actually designed to match a very short list of telephoto lenses. So there’s a possibility that it physically won’t fit and if it does it’ll not be great.
The good news is that you can actually pick up a 100mm lens for a similar price to the converter. £170 for the f2 lens, &160 for the converter.
 
There's a nice 70-200 f4 (non-IS) L lens in the classifieds....optically superb lens, OH sold hers years ago just to scratch the 2.8 itch.
 
Phil V said:
The Canon 2x converter is actually designed to match a very short list of telephoto lenses. So there’s a possibility that it physically won’t fit and if it does it’ll not be great.
The good news is that you can actually pick up a 100mm lens for a similar price to the converter. £170 for the f2 lens, &160 for the converter.
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I see your reckoning, I'll give it a miss,I've mentioned elsewhere I'm not particularly knowledgeable regarding cameras,I have,like most people got lazy with having a half decent camera on my phone so the slr has been somewhat neglected, my Granddaughter has only recently started playing rugby and she's a revelation, her tackle count sometimes puts her Dad to shame and he was a cracking player for over 20 years hence the reason for a longer lens ,the 250 isnt quite long enough which is why I've been asking for advice on a suitable lens, looking for lenses is a bit like a kid in a sweet shop,there's so many about.
Phil V said:
The Canon 2x converter is actually designed to match a very short list of telephoto lenses. So there’s a possibility that it physically won’t fit and if it does it’ll not be great.
The good news is that you can actually pick up a 100mm lens for a similar price to the converter. £170 for the f2 lens, &160 for the converter.
Click to expand...
 
Brentor said:
I very much doubt that the 2x converter will work on the 50mm for the same reasons as above. The Canon compatibility information should give a clear answer.
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Brentor said:
I very much doubt that the 2x converter will work on the 50mm for the same reasons as above. The Canon compatibility information should give a clear answer.
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Thanks,Phil V points this out and also a 100mm f2 lens is around the same price so a converter is off the list,I'll get the 100-400 Sigma that has been recommended ,with the 18-55, the 50mmf1.8 and the 55-250 I should have more than enough lenses to suit my limited camera skills. Although owning lots of camera equipment seems to be like ginger cats, scooters and Border Collies,you can never have too many.
 
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