Canon 70-300mm IS : alternatives

[specialman]

We have a few of the consumer-grade 70-300mm IS USM lenses but one has just failed totally and needs replacing. I don't mind these lenses and the guy who will be using it doesn't mind also, but I'm just thinking about what alternatives there are that will be optically better.

We're talking £340 less the VAT, so somewhere in the region of £275, which is good value but I have my doubts about where this lenses sits in the market with regard to its actual performance.

Obviously, Tamron's latest VC 70-300mm is an option, as is the Sigma 70-300mm DG OS. Then there are the bigger guns like the 170-500mm f/5-6.3, which used can be had for around £400 and obviously offers more reach but at the sacrifice of a slower maximum aperture. Is it sharp at f/6.3 when zoomed to 500mm or is it too much lens crammed into a budget price?

One of the guys has just got a used 100-300mm f/4 Sigma, and it's brilliant, but they're not common and the 70-200mm f/4 USM is obviously a corker but lack the reach.

Opinions please

 

[crofter]

I have the Tamron 70-300 VC and it's a very nice lens, but needing more reach I was also considering the Sigma 170-500 oldish lens but reasonable for the price, however I decided to spend the extra cash on a Sigma 150-500 as this has stabilization a must for hand held use, it only came on Saturday so I haven't had time to do much but early results are impressive, I'm pleased I went down that route.

 

[pete.rush]

The sigma 170-500mm ain't as good as the new breed of sigma long zooms lenses and no OS, really only 450mm and very soft wide open, need to be stepped down, but as its already f6.3 you'll need good light to get great shots.

MpB has one for £479, personally one of sigma's best lenses (of old), pin sharp, constant f4 throughout zoom range, ok body might look battered because sigma's paint works not the best at not showing signs of use, but optically a great lens. if you can squeeze your budget abit more, its the one I would go for.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...-100-300mm-f/4-ex-apo-if-hsm,-canon-ef-fit-1/

Only have a canon fit, but several sigma's mentioned below, but price ain't far off new price, so not a great deal on the sigma

Alternatively you have the sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 OS (used) in that price range as well.

 

[specialman]

Pete.rush - I didn't spot that. We have one and it's ace... that might be a good buy