300mm+ zoom lenses - which one?

madhouse

madhouse

Messages
245
Name
Tom
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I've been doing a ton of research into my next investment which will be a long zoom lens.

It's going to get used for various sporting events (notably equestrian), candids at gatherings and pretty much anything that requires a bit of extra length. Oh and it will also go with me to Kenya on safari at the end of the year.

My current long lens is the canon 75-300 IS f4-5.6 and this is coupled to a 40D so the crop does give me a bit of a boost. As for budget, I'd rather get something that will last me rather than want to upgrade it again in a year or two but I'd say £1250's pretty much at the top end.

So what has my research lead me to? well, either a canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L, a sigma 150-500 f5-6.3 or possibly even a sigma 120-400 f4.5-5.6 I had thought about extenders but that's mean losing the AF and I don't really want to do that at the mo.
Thing is I'm a little bewildered by it all and am wondering if you all could help steer me in the right direction, I'm going to rent for a few days before I buy (lensesforhire of course) but is there anything else I should consider or discount?

Thanks for your help.

Tom.
 
Well, the longer zoom that I use for motorsports is the Sigma 150-500 (Nikon mount), which nicely complements the midrange 70-200 zoom. Both have stabilisation OS/VR, which is important for my mostly handheld shots.

Ed
 
how about a sigma 120-300 f2.8 then use with a 1.4 tc, you would have to look at a secondhand lens, they are starting to show up at about £1200
 
Thanks guys.

Ed - what's the sigma like in the less than perfect conditions we so frequantly get here? Have to say that initially it was my first choice after reading the reviews.

Dave - now there's a thought, am i right in thinking that with a tc it'd be an f4? not to mention a hugely long lens.
 
Yes it would become f4, I did try one a while back and it is on my shopping list. You do need a good techneque to use it as it will show up a bad techneque like any long lens, I have seen stunning images taken with it.
 
I really rate the Sigma 100-300 f/4 which would be a 420 f/5.6 with a 1.4x extender. It's a fair bit smaller and lighter than the 2.8 (which I personally had problems with), whilst the 100-300 f/4 always turned in extremely high quality pictures. Cheapish too!
 
My technique is improving nicely although no doubt will need some adjustment when getting used to such a long lens - whatever I end up with.

Would I lose AF if I used a tc on the f2.8? I always thought you only kept it on th 1d.
 
madhouse said:
Would I lose AF if I used a tc on the f2.8? I always thought you only kept it on th 1d.
Click to expand...

No, you'd be fine with a 1.4X. I've used the 100-400 a lot with the geegee's, never let me down :)
 
Have you thought about a prime lens ??

The 300 L F4 IS lens is an absolute cracker and def worth a consider unless you def need the facility of a zoom :thumbs:
 
andyred said:
Have you thought about a prime lens ??

The 300 L F4 IS lens is an absolute cracker and def worth a consider unless you def need the facility of a zoom :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Seconded. A 300 f4 + 1.4 converter would be my choice/
 
Sam_G said:
Seconded. A 300 f4 + 1.4 converter would be my choice/
Click to expand...
I tried that combo and found it a bit restrictive to be honest. The sigma 120-300 plus TC or 100-400 is a better option.
 
Tom,

I got the "BigmOS" for Christmas :D but not really had a chance to use it much yet. If you want to see what it is capable of have a nose here. This is one I did manage to take at 500mm:

4234356682_1422d77686.jpg
 
Had considered a prime but I think i'd miss having the zoom too much.

Am out & about at the mo so will have a look at the bigma shots when I get home tomorrow, that pic looks great on my phone though!
 
Hi i've just noticed this thread. I have a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 for sale in the classifieds, all be it a few pages back now. I am also considering selling my Sigma 150-500. Both of them in excellent condition, only selling to fund another lens purchase.If you're interested let me know.
Also a 1.4x converter works with all functions on the 120-300 but you lose the AF on the 150-500.
 
I have a sigma 120-300 F2.8 , and it's a great zoom, works well with a 1.4 TC, the downside it's darned heavy, as long as you don't have far to walk, it's fine.

I use an anglers trolley to carry mine any distance.
 
Back from my travels now :)

Mac, I managed to have a look at that flickr group and it's a really good showcase for the 'bigmos'. Have to say that so far it's put up a good case for itself.

Len, thanks for letting me know, have had a look and it's quite a lens isn't it! I will definitely be in contact if that's the route I take.

Les, thanks for the heads up, had a look and at 2.6kg it is a monster of a lens (a price to pay for it being so good i suppose) and it'll definitely be a factor as my aim is to be taking it to places a trolley won't go - so it'll be in my backpack.
 
How well does the Sigma 120-300 handle the sigma 2xTC? How fast is the autofocus compared to the canon 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 IS?
 
Euan said:
How well does the Sigma 120-300 handle the sigma 2xTC? How fast is the autofocus compared to the canon 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 IS?
Click to expand...

2.0TC- I think as well as most lenses handle a 2.0TC-if you shoot at around f8-f11 you can get acceptable results.

-v- canon 100-400- My experience is that the sigma is way faster and accurate than the canon 100-400.

Can't comment on the 70-200 f2.8 IS

Sample images-sigma 120-300mm @ 300mm-f8

300mms.jpg


300mm +sigma 2.0 TC -f8

300+2s.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply, i may be swapping the 70-200 for a 120-300. I know most lenses lose a lot of IQ with a 2x. I tried it on the 70-200 and wasnt impressed.

Im hoping to get a combi to get out to 600mm and get reasonable results.

Hope the OP doesnt mind me jumping in on his thread?

Decisions decisions!
 
Euan - no probs, glad this is helping others as well as me! and you're right ..... decisions, decisions!!
 
Euan said:
Im hoping to get a combi to get out to 600mm and get reasonable results.
Click to expand...

TC's work best on primes IMHO. So a 400 2.8 with a 1.4x will get you near 600mm or better still a 600 f4.

If you had Nikon and wanted a zoom and not a prime, the 200-400 with a 1.4x is lovely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top