Canon 500mm f4 is mk 1 vs sigma 500mm
- Thread starter ukpbz
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- michael
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hi I have recently purchased the sigma, you can use your canon converters, however this will only enable manual foccusing! The way to go is the kenko DGX 1.4 pto 300. I thought hard and long as to which to buy, the canon is by a short margin the best, but is it worth the extra? My sigma is very sharp and I doubt you could tell the difference. With s/hand 8 year old I would worry,as to repairs etc. my sigma has a 5 year warranty! Search the web for various reviews. Mike
Hi
I bought the Sigma prime earlier this year and am extremely pleased with it. It won't work with the canon or sig 1.4 tc however. Even with the pins taped on either a 7D or 1d 4.
It works perfectly with the Kenco 300 PRO DGX however and to my mind still gives very good results. All of the pics in my recent upload gallery were with the sig 500 and Kenco TC.
Http://andrewa.zenfolio.com
Andrew
I bought the Sigma prime earlier this year and am extremely pleased with it. It won't work with the canon or sig 1.4 tc however. Even with the pins taped on either a 7D or 1d 4.
It works perfectly with the Kenco 300 PRO DGX however and to my mind still gives very good results. All of the pics in my recent upload gallery were with the sig 500 and Kenco TC.
Http://andrewa.zenfolio.com
Andrew
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- Peter Rushworth
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For the money the sigma 500mm f4.5 a very good lens although if you're really serious about using TCs, then there's only 1 option, the Canon 500mm f4 MKI
Best UK price for the sigma is £3700, so less than £3000 sounds maybe too good too be true, I would definitely do some digging. Definitely grey imports
Looks like the business (mydigitaland if that's the 1 you spotted for £2965) stopped trading in 2010 and has started up again from Hong Kong
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/35244114
Best UK price for the sigma is £3700, so less than £3000 sounds maybe too good too be true, I would definitely do some digging. Definitely grey imports
Looks like the business (mydigitaland if that's the 1 you spotted for £2965) stopped trading in 2010 and has started up again from Hong Kong
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/35244114
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I had one in a Nikon mount, nice and compact, however optically poor, was not sharp until f7.1, and lacked contrast. It did not like TC's either, although some people have reported that it works with them, I could not get it to.
I would go for the used Canon
I would go for the used Canon
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- Paul
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I use the Sigma on a 7D.
I cannot fault it and am pleased with it.
No image stabiliser and lacks a little contrast at times.
OK that stated the lens is virtually 98% of the time on a tripod, the other times you can hand hold. The Kenco 14tc does work but hunts on occasion if you don't pick up your target straight away in AF. The contrast can be resolved within photoshop if you feel its required
You are best to use on static shots and manual focus I have found works best.
PM me your e mail and I will send you some shots taken with the 500.
I was also in turmoil when deciding which one to go for. The money I had l been saving for the Canon lens then went onto a R2400 printer and Feisol tri pod CT3442 L.
Paul.
I cannot fault it and am pleased with it.
No image stabiliser and lacks a little contrast at times.
OK that stated the lens is virtually 98% of the time on a tripod, the other times you can hand hold. The Kenco 14tc does work but hunts on occasion if you don't pick up your target straight away in AF. The contrast can be resolved within photoshop if you feel its required
You are best to use on static shots and manual focus I have found works best.
PM me your e mail and I will send you some shots taken with the 500.
I was also in turmoil when deciding which one to go for. The money I had l been saving for the Canon lens then went onto a R2400 printer and Feisol tri pod CT3442 L.
Paul.
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can you not hire them both for a weekend and try them? Then you can make your own mind up. I have hired the 500mm F4 Canon and I loved it! That said, I will most likely buy a 300mm F2.8 and a 1.4 and 2x TC to go with it for the extra reach 
Best of both worlds then but up to you.
Best of both worlds then but up to you.http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...non-fit-lenses/canon-ef-300mm-f/2.8-l-is-usm/
Might tempt you, haha
Might tempt you, haha
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Canon 300mm f2.8 IS MKI + MKII TCs
300mm F2.8 (MKI) + 1.4x and 2x TC (MKII) stacked
Canon 300mm f2.8 + 2x TC (MKII)
But with every photo, its all about the light, you have the right conditions you achieve the best results. Although I would still like to have the canon 500mm f4 mk1
300mm F2.8 (MKI) + 1.4x and 2x TC (MKII) stacked
Canon 300mm f2.8 + 2x TC (MKII)
But with every photo, its all about the light, you have the right conditions you achieve the best results. Although I would still like to have the canon 500mm f4 mk1
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- Lee
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The 500 f4 is the industry standard wildlife lens. The sigma is not a bad lens, but it's not in the same league. The age of the lens isn't an issue, I know loads of people who bought this lens when it was introduced and are still using it. Looked after, this lens will last forever. If you look at the best wildlife images ever taken, especially birds in flight a huge percentage were taken with the 500 f4. IQ and AF are still superb with 1.4x TC attached. The only reason for buying the Sigma is price. If you are serious about wildlife photography, buy the 500 f4.
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Before I bought my Canon 500L I went to Aperture in central London to try out a mint copy of a Sigma they had at a very good price. They were kind enough to let me sit outside at a table (they also run a decent little cafe there!) and spend an hour taking sample shots.
2 things decided me against this lens, the lack of contrast and the absolute killer, it wouldn't allow AF with my 1.4x extender on my 1D4.
I tried my own Kenko and they also lent me a Canon 1.4x. I've read that it's a lottery as to using an extender with this lens but this example failed the test.
I know that contrast can be rectified in PP to some degree but I'd like to have seen more native contrast from the lens. Lack of IS was another negative factor but of course I knew that before I tried it.
If budget considerations are paramount then the Sigma is viable for some but I felt that committing all that folding money to a lens justified taking it a step further and getting the Canon.
I'm moving the 500 on now for various reasons and going for a 300 2.8 but I'm pleased I made the financially painful decision to have tried the Canon.
2 things decided me against this lens, the lack of contrast and the absolute killer, it wouldn't allow AF with my 1.4x extender on my 1D4.
I tried my own Kenko and they also lent me a Canon 1.4x. I've read that it's a lottery as to using an extender with this lens but this example failed the test.
I know that contrast can be rectified in PP to some degree but I'd like to have seen more native contrast from the lens. Lack of IS was another negative factor but of course I knew that before I tried it.
If budget considerations are paramount then the Sigma is viable for some but I felt that committing all that folding money to a lens justified taking it a step further and getting the Canon.
I'm moving the 500 on now for various reasons and going for a 300 2.8 but I'm pleased I made the financially painful decision to have tried the Canon.