Canon..or...Sigma???

Just to chuck in a little tip here. When you is walking around with the camera around your neck and the 100 -400L on it, don't forget to set the zoom friction adjuster to tight. Other wise you will find it keeps on shooting forward, like what mine did :shake:
 
Darksaber said:
Saturday will be the first proper field test so we'll see how it goes, if you can get up there Steve it might be a good oppertunity for you to try a 100-400L out? :)
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would love to matt, unfortunately i gave up weekends (WORKING)in order to have 2 days together with the wife in the week.
 
Ah yeah I remember you saying somewhere near the start of the Chester thread, sorry mate :(

The grip makes the 100-400L ten times easier to hold, I could even almost shoot one handed with it :)

lovely thing.
 
hmm tempted with the new sigma 135-400mm DG matty has just posted about, i will try and find a test report on it. But i know its not L glass, but will that matter.
 
Boon said:
But i know its not L glass, but will that matter.
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Not sure, but look at my night shoot at the Bristol Aztecs and the bristol Zoo stuff to see how good these Sigma lenses are. Lovely colours from the lens, razor sharp at 100% crop and fast, very fast. I have already sold my 100 - 400L.

Diego.
 
70-300mm Sigma apperantly aint the best lens on t'market

70-200 2.8 ftw :D

I like joes suggestion tbh, havn't read any posts in the thread, so not sure what's going on
 
Diego Garcia said:
Not sure, but look at my night shoot at the Bristol Aztecs and the bristol Zoo stuff to see how good these Sigma lenses are. Lovely colours from the lens, razor sharp at 100% crop and fast, very fast. I have already sold my 100 - 400L.

Diego.
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hi diego
you have used both type of lenses, so which would you say, remembering i am no pro, not even sure i would notice the difference..:shrug:
 
Stick with the Canon Steve..;)

Show me a thread dissing the 100-400mm and I will show my @rse in town..:eek:

AF in full use... Weather sealent..Tack sharp with excellent contrast and colours..And IS to round things off..:love:

Have you read this Steve...:)
 
Boon said:
hi diego
you have used both type of lenses, so which would you say, remembering i am no pro, not even sure i would notice the difference..:shrug:
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Difficult one to answer and I think you need to look at the bigger picture.

I loved the 100 - 400L but I call it a 'weekend' lens. Ideal for birding, nature, rambles and sport in great light but at 4.5F at 100mm and 5.6 at 400mm which is 680 ish on a 1.6 crop it is simply not fast enough for me anymore, hence why I went for the Sigma 300mm 2.8. I admit I wish I could have gone for the Canon 300mm 2.8 but I could not so we will end that there.

Dont let people tell you that the Sigma top spec lenses are no good, its all marketing. I love it already and its tack sharp which stands to reason as prime. The build quality is awesome. I spent thursday night with a fleet st veteran togger who loved the sigma and was blown away at the quality.

Personally, I look to shoot in prime all the time now though as before do not discount the 100 - 400L.

So, think about what is the right lens for you mate, not really about what others tell you or advise, you have to buy the lens that suits your needs and I think that the 100 - 400L is that lens but is it fast enough for you?

Diego. :thumbs:
 
I traded my 100-400 for a sigma 120-300 a few months back. The 100-400 is great for the reach and the push pull zoom wipes the floor with twist zoom (IMO) but the Sigma 120-300 - well that is something else entirely!

Wide open the sigma at F2.8 is just a little bit softer than the 100-400 at F5.6. The sigma suprasses the 100-400 at F4... I notice no difference from the colours out of the two but I find slightly contrastier shots out of the sigma.

BUT it is a heavy b****r - real heavy!

Here is mine on a 20D with grip
IMG_1830.jpg
 
I have rarely been in a situation where the 5.6 aperture has been a problem. The IS lets you drop the shutter below 1/focal length.
Even if I had a Canon 300 F2.8 I would probably use it mostly at F4 or smaller
 
Boon the Bigma is a nice lens but heavy! Another one to consider which is lovely is the 80-400 with IS - again heavy but a quality lens - I have had both in the past plus a Canon 100-400 (not at the same time however! LOL) Now have a range of Canon L's that are superb - but it depends what you shoot and what you want.
 
wow, i am quite overwhelmed by the responce to this question, however, i am not sure what i want to do, this is my big dilema, but i would have thought that i will be covered from 17mm right through to 400mm with 2 excellent lenses, then all i would need will be a macro lens later.

@diego thank you for an excellent insight into these lenses..
@tim thanks for the link, learned you need to turn off IS when tripod mounted, good tip..
@RTS lens looks great on your 20D, but at £1600, its too expensive..

but as i have said before, there is no rush for me, it will be a xmas pressie, so i will continue to watch with baited breath as sigma and canon roll out new stuff ..
 
I have the Sigma 70-300 but find the aperture "shrinkage" at full zoom means some pretty long exposures so hankering after a F2.8 120 - 300 or similar and it looks as if the Sigma will get my pocket money before too long - failed to find a camera shop in USA - hit NY on a Saturday and closed for Sabbath!
 
The one thing that worries me about buying Sigma is that if you believe the reviews in the magaines or on the net, their quality control can be a bit hit or miss....
 
Pete E said:
The one thing that worries me about buying Sigma is that if you believe the reviews in the magaines or on the net, their quality control can be a bit hit or miss....
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Canon don't exactly get top marks in that department either ;)
With both manufacturers you usually get a top notch lens back from repair if need be - usually a better option that opting for a replacement...
 
I think you really need to find a local Jessops or Jacobs (or any other retailers that are available to you) and see if they have any in stock, new or second hand - get a feel for the lens, see how you feel with the bulk and weight before you even consider any decision. Worst case scenario would be you buy your absolute dream lens spending alot of cash along the way and then never use it because you find its not portable enough.

Also another opportunity maybe to keep a watch for any group meets in your area, you have plenty of time yet for a zoo meet or other event to occur, who knows were the next ones may occur.

Just consider your options and take your time in deciding which to get, dont rush into anything.

(Not much material advice Im afraid - but plenty of options have already been suggested, now you just have to find what fits your needs best)

:thumbs:
 
when going into a jessops or whoever, do you take our camera, or just look at the lens ?
 
Either - if you dont take your own they will attach it to one of their demo cameras. The important thing though is ideally you want to fire some shots off that you can view at home in detail - so I would try and take my own camera (dont forget the memory card).
 
Steve just asked Kerso how much he can do the 100-400 for, he's got it at £880 at the moment, which I think is a cracking price........very tempted.......anyone want a Kidney???:naughty:
 
RichardtheSane said:
Canon don't exactly get top marks in that department either ;)
With both manufacturers you usually get a top notch lens back from repair if need be - usually a better option that opting for a replacement...
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Exactly. It's simply ridiculous that people use quality control as a reason not to go for other brand lenses. Look about and you'll find plenty of L glass having to go back for calibration, but that's okay :suspect: :thinking:

In fact, my sigma 70-200 F2.8 is peeling and I'd still recommend it.
 
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