telephoto lenses ..which one is your choice??

mickeyt

mickeyt

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Name
mike
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hi..if you were to brake the bank(not over 5k) and buy a telephoto uber super all kicking lens that would perform in most situations where telephotos are needed which one which you go for .

the short list is

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
or the cheaper
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens (MK 1)
OR
Sigma 300-800
or
SIGMA 4.5 500

im leaning on the canon mk1 lens so i can use the 2 x tc with it to get up to the larger distances if need be

any view plse chaps?

im going to rent them first
cheers

mike
 
The new Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS is pretty darn good even with a 2X.

Without
IMG_G8546.jpg


With 2X
IMG_7117.jpg
 
beautiful pics may friend!..great clarity...a few people have spoken about this one ..more decisions to make!.ahhhh.i dont want to end buying two!...just cant afford..more views plse!...
 
mickeyt said:
the short list is

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
or the cheaper
Canon EF 300mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens (MK 1)
OR
Sigma 300-800
or
SIGMA 4.5 500
Click to expand...
It really depends what you want to do with them, and you haven't told us.

The Canon 300/2.8 is hand-holdable, delivers superb image quality, and is the perfect lens for many outdoor sports.

The Sigma 300-800 is a huge lump which is really heavy to lug around and needs a very solid tripod.

I can't think of many situations where they would both be reasonable options.
 
hi stewart...ok..what id like to use them for would be wildlife..yatching...sports ..ie my son playing football and the like/close up sailing action shots ..fast shutter speed.

id like to get really up close to birds /animals without disturbing the wildlife but the lens needs to be portable /use of monopod...i have a 2 x extender and currently have the 100-400.. time to step this up and trade these in.

im leaning on the canon older version if the 300 2.8..the new one is 5k...i wonder whether the step is really needed..

as always with photography its a never ending course ...but with this step up on lens choice and cost research must be done !..

cheers
 
Owned them all. Would suggest the 300mm II if you can, if not then the 300mm I

IS is invaluable if you won't be using a monopod/tripod and having the versatility of 300mm 2.8, 420mm f4 and 600mm f5.6 is great.

The 300mm II has the advantages of:
1. Little lighter and better balanced
2. Better image quality at 600mm
3. Faster AF with the 2x III (most important advantage I think)
4. Much better IS (4 stops rather than 2) helps A LOT at 600mm

You can get it for just over £5k new whereas the old one sells for over £3k used so not the huge difference you would expect.

If I go more broke with the new house and the upcoming baby then I might sell mine but it will be the last thing I sell!!!
 
I was luck to get a mint condition 300mm f2.8 MKI a couple of years back and just love it, great lens and easily hand holdable and works well with the MKII TC's, even the 1.4x and 2x TC stacked in the right conditions.

300mm F2.8 (MKI) + 1.4x and 2x TC (MKII) stacked
IMG_6377_copy_1.jpg


Canon 300mm f2.8 + 2x TC (MKII)

IMG_5729copy1.jpg


IMG_5724copy1.jpg


IMG_5711copy1.jpg


IMG_5807copy1.jpg


IMG_5845copy1.jpg


Of course with everything, you need the right conditions to get the best results..... Can you buy me the 500mm f4 instead as that's the next lens I want :lol::D:D

Peter
 
hi guys...oh blimey decisions..ive got the possibility of buying a mk1 for about £2900..(about 8 years old !!!).or go the pay monthly option and buy the new one.... I want something portable ...can take to events..(pete..those photos are incredible!)..ill sell my 100-400 and 16-35 to finance...so watch this space!... gulp!...and like us all...its out of my money league but hey..only live once I guess!...cheers
 
I would pay another 2k and get a brand new 300mm II from Kerso
A better and much newer lens with warranty and more usable at 600mm for birds in flight

I sold the 800mm and the 500mm and bought the 300mm II and I do not regret it even for a minute
 
I'd listen to micloi and go for the Mk II, he must have shot or owned almost every telephoto you can get for Canon.
 
okidokes ill sell the 100-400 first and the 16-35..then take the plunge ..cheers guys ..pointless spending 3k on the mk 1 8 plus years old...even tho I'm tempted!....

im also leaning on paying up for interest free credit ..anyone know bar jacobs ,someone who offers interest free at reasonable costs ..not inflated jessops prices!!..cheers
 
Hi pete very interested in your picture of the multicoloured bird . the 300 is a fantastic lens . in that photo did you use both the 1.4tc and 2x tc . and if so . can you still use auto focus . or any issues stacking canon mk11 tele converters cheers muddywater
 
I would definitely go for one of the Canon 300s, the close focus on the 300-800 is not great which can make it hard to use and has been said it is a big lens. The 500 f4.5 is a good lens but the Canons are better. I have a mkI 300 f2.8 IS and it is a superb lens, stunning on it's own or with a 1.4x and still very good with a 2x. If you can stretch to a mkII it is a better lens, just a matter of deciding if it is work the extra money to you (not only the extra £2k for the lens but also the extra for mkIII tcs, mkIIs will be fine with the mkI lens).

I recently needed to free up some cash so considered selling my mkI and going for a Sigma 120-300 OS but after testing one I realised I would not be happy with the Sigma. It is a good lens but isn't in the same league as the Canon.
 
postcardcv said:
I would definitely go for one of the Canon 300s, the close focus on the 300-800 is not great which can make it hard to use and has been said it is a big lens. The 500 f4.5 is a good lens but the Canons are better. I have a mkI 300 f2.8 IS and it is a superb lens, stunning on it's own or with a 1.4x and still very good with a 2x. If you can stretch to a mkII it is a better lens, just a matter of deciding if it is work the extra money to you (not only the extra £2k for the lens but also the extra for mkIII tcs, mkIIs will be fine with the mkI lens).

I recently needed to free up some cash so considered selling my mkI and going for a Sigma 120-300 OS but after testing one I realised I would not be happy with the Sigma. It is a good lens but isn't in the same league as the Canon.
Click to expand...


He did end up buying a 300 mkII....several months ago! :lol:
 
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