Upgrading from Sigma 150-600mm contemporary to Canon RF 200-800mm

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davholla

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David
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Obviously it's an extra 200mm but do you notice the extra reach? Can you photograph birds in flight? How does it work with teleconverters?
 
Not sure I would upgrade given the aperture range, which will only be worse using a teleconverter. I suggest you use Try the Kit before you change.
 
I guess it depends a lot on your main subjects and the camera body you are pairing it with. I was not that impressed with the 200-600 given its size.
 
I almost jumped earlier this year and almost did the very same 'upgrade'. I needed a bit more reach but the aperture on the Canon was off putting. I managed to talk myself out of it and I still have the money to spend on something else that I know I will (really) need when the time comes. I'm glad I didn't buy it as it would've been useless to me in the situation I had planned for it, due to the aperture.

I considered the RF100-500L, which is a far superior lens but I already have a 100-400L mkii, which gives me similar numbers with the mkiii 1.4x teleconverter. I take the converter off when the light drops.

Sticking with what I had, I had to slow down and really take my time focusing on my subject. I am now working on bringing my subject closer and into better light, rather than buying any new gear to get a little more reach but would come with other caveats, I think it would be a disappointing change, so I will be keeping my Sigma, which has served me very well and my copy seems to be a very sharp one. Maybe not quite as sharp as my Canon but it's up there.

I did consider Olympus and their 300 f4, or the same lens on a Panasonic but when I did the research, whilst they are very capable cameras and lenses, I don't think it would've worked for me in my situtation.

That's my feeling on my situation, your situation may be different but new gear isn't always the answer.

I do though wish Canon would make lenses with slightly better apertures for sensible money. The big white primes are stunning things, they are works of art but they are not always practical and even used, they are silly money for the average hobbyist. There was a rumoured RF500 5.6 on the horizon a few months ago but that's gone very quiet. Despite that lens having an aperture of f5.6, I'd probably be interested in it if it ever became a reality and I'm guessing it would be around or sub £3k.

I'm making what I have work and getting decent results now, I've learned the site and my subject and spent a lot of time with them and this alone has improved my images of them, without spending a penny on new gear. (y)
 
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I've been using a 200-800 for a while now, with an R7 and now an R3mk3

Having been used to the quality of a 100-400L I was a bit underwhelmed on initial use but I think most of what I've struggled with has been my technique not the lens. And as for chasing birds about at 800mm well if you can do it at 600mm you probably won't notice much difference.

No it's not as sharp as my 100-400L but given it's price I do think it's worth it, just don't expect 800L type "pop" in your images.

As said before borrow one from "Try the Kit" a great service and if you are lucky they may send it a day early for no extra cost.

HTH

David
 
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