New glass :) - but which

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woollyback

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Hello folks,

I need a bit of help.

I am looking for some new glass in the x-300mm range - it needs to be a bit quicker to AF than my 100-400, have IS and have top notch iQ to go on me 5D2. I would have held out for a 200-400 but that seems a distant dream.

My thoughts so far

1. 2nd hand 300 f2.8IS - seem to be like hens teeth in UK and >£3K

2. New canon 70-200 f2.8 IS mk 2

3. Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS - half price of canon and can probably add a 7D for roughly price of above.

4. Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS - a big beast of a thing but more flexibility than 300 f2.8

So any views or thoughts or insights would be great

Cheers

Rob
 
70-200/2.8L IS II + 1.4x .. loving it. Not that I wouldn't like to add a 300/2.8 alongside!
 
Folks,

Gonna use it for trains, sports (rally & horses), portraits and a bit of a walk around - ships and zoo type of shots

Cheers

Rob
 
I have the 70-200 2.8 and it is a fantastic lens but you might find the zoom isn't as much as you will needs for your subject matter... haven't tried it with 1.4x converter so can't comment on that but now it's got me thinking.. Doh, does that mean I need to spend even more dosh :eek:
 
Thanks Rob... at least I won't have to re-mortgage to extend my kit with that one :-)
 
You'll be waiting a long time for anything faster than the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6

By all accounts the 70-200mm f2.8 MKII is great and works well with the 1.4x and 2x MKIII converters, but over £2000 for the package.

The sigma 120-300mm f2.8 is another option, athough has quite a few issues, build quality ain't great, back focusing problems and some issues with autofocus when conditions ain't at the best, so it a bit pot luck as to what lens you get, that being said, a great lens for the $$$ and it takes some fantastic images.

The Canon 300mm f2.8 MKI fantastic, should be some good used lenses on the market now the MKII has come out. Love mine to bits, was even surpriced at the quality of image I got when the 1.4 and 2x TC were stacked on it on safari in Africa. OK not as versitile as a zoom, but you just adjust how you photograph things, in away more of a challenge than a zoom because you have to think about how you want to capture the subject.

A cheaper alternative would be the 300mm f4, fantastic lens, take the 1.4x TC with easy and personally has better IQs than the 100-400 with 1.4x TC mounted.

At the end of the day, depends on your budget and whether you would be willing to buy 2nd hand? Check out Mifsuds, Mbp photography, ffordes, Camtech, park camera's etc to get rough idea's on price.
 
Pete,

Don't mind 2nd hand and am not a brand snob. I just want to get something a bit better AF/low light than 100-400.

I was saving for a 200-400 but that could be miles off and might as well buy and enjoy in the meantime

Cheers for the replies

Rob :)
 
The sigma 100-300mm f4 isn't a bad option, is a great lens, fast, sharp, constant f4 across the zoom range and there's one for sale on mpb last time I checked, at £559 for a £1100 lens used, it ain't a bad price. The alternative that I used for years is the canon 300mm f4, fantastic lens, ok a prime, so not a versitile as a zoom but I would pick that lens over the 100-400mm everytime and as mentioned above works well with the 1.4x TC, but it depends whether you using the entire zoom range on your 100-400 or just using the 300-400mm range.

www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/
 
Pete,

I've had a 300 f4 before and as you say it was great - however if i was going for a 300 it would have to be the f2.8 version.

Ideally looking for something 70-200/300 end with a bit better lower light than 100-400.

Will look into 100-300 cheers

Rob
 
A 70-200 and 300 prime is the action tog's kit bag... together with a couple of TC's.

Job done.

If you havent got a decent 70-200 2.8, start with that, then add the 300 afterwards.

Its not cheap, but if you keep playing around with kit, that is where you will end up because its the best place... everybody ends up there :D
 
desantnik said:
A 70-200 and 300 prime is the action tog's kit bag... together with a couple of TC's.

Job done.

If you havent got a decent 70-200 2.8, start with that, then add the 300 afterwards.

Its not cheap, but if you keep playing around with kit, that is where you will end up because its the best place... everybody ends up there :D
Click to expand...

Basically exactly what our good comrade says above, except that I use a Sig 120-300 OS rather than a straightforward Canon 300, because it gives me a reliable and consistent 168-400/4 into the bargain.

I'd always opt for the 70-200 first though because it's a staple lens.

pete.rush said:
The sigma 120-300mm f2.8 is another option, athough has quite a few issues, build quality ain't great, back focusing problems and some issues with autofocus when conditions ain't at the best, so it a bit pot luck as to what lens you get, that being said, a great lens for the $$$ and it takes some fantastic images.
Click to expand...

I think you must be talking about the non OS version, because the latest offering is excellent.
 
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