Sigma Telephoto lens options and advice needed

[RD400]

Have seen these lens and read the reviews I was thinking of buying a
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM but would I be better off getting one of these Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM and a Sigma 2x EX DG Tele Converter.
Question is would there be a great difference between them once the 2x converter fitted to the 70-200 lens I know I`d have the option of just using the 70-200 lens on it`s own .

 

[artyman]

Why not consider the Sigma 50-500 OS that way you have all bases covered without resorting to a TC. A bit on the big and heavy side for a walk round though

 

[Jez2011]

Not an expert but I've read you lose a lot of image quality if you use a 2x converter, the 1.4s are supposed to be ok though.

 

[casts_by_fly]

I used a nikon fit 70-200 + 2X last summer and compared it to the 300/4 AF. The sigma had a lot of haze to it and wasn't clear. It didn't have the sharpness, and that was shooting from beanbags. In fact, that experience put me off buying the 70-200 even. I know it is a good lens on its own, but that experience was enough to put me off until I can have one in my hands again.

thanks
rick

 

[realspeed]

I would suggest forgetting the 2xTC( I had the Nikon version) and go for the 1.4 instead lets more light through. I have the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 non OS lens (earlier version) and it is great but I also had the Sigma 170 -500mm lens and lets just say I was dissapointed with it. In other words I have found Sigma lenses a bit hit or miss.

With the Nikon D300 you can " fine tune" a lens to the camera as regards sharpness, ( don't know if its possible on your Canon 550D ) and it definately makes a difference. The settings are store in the camera and the camera detects the lens and adjust automatically

I use

http://spyder.datacolor.com/product-cb-spyderlenscal.php

Depending on your spending power why not look at the Canon range of lenses instead.

Link

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat5.html

I think you may get a better lens

Realspeed

 

[RD400]

Thanks for the info chaps I`d love to go for the canon lens but price is a big thing would just have to look for a good second hand bargain like 100-400

 

[Oggy]

Why not consider the Sigma 50-500 OS that way you have all bases covered without resorting to a TC. A bit on the big and heavy side for a walk round though

I can think of around 400 reasons for going for the 150-500 over the 50-500.