Long telephoto options

j3w3ll3r

j3w3ll3r

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Stephen
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Hi all

I have searched TP and elsewhere and found several idea/options and opinions, all of which seem a bit contradictory

I have just sold my 70-200 IS F4L as I found it too short and never used it, plus could do with a few quid towards a separate project

So I want to buy a longer zoom and ideally keep back some of the monies, I have found a few options (or use it all at a push, but definitely spend no more than the £630 I got for selling the lens)

50-50mm Sigma non IS
120-400 Sigma OS
100-300 Sigma EX F4 non OS plus 1.4x
150-500 OS
80-400 Tokina

I have no one thing that I would want to photograph, although I have a track day car and the odd Bird or 2 would be nice, but in general it will be a luxury lens to take to the nature reserve or similar

If money was no option I would have kept it AND bought a 100-400L but Its not and im also not a prolific tog, so the lens is just for very occasional luxury

Any thoughts or other suggestions

Cheers

Stephen
 
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Not a zoom but at under £200 there is Canon FD 300 f4 lens , MF only but seem to remember it was well regarded when I was doing some research last year.
Not sure if an adapter is needed for these .

Julian
 
Used them all. Would go with the 150-500 if you need stabilisation or with the 50-500/100-300+TC and a monopod.

From the non-OS ones I would choose the 100-300 if sometimes you shoot in low light or the 50-500 if you need reach and flexibility.
 
My heart is telling me 100-300 plus TC but my head is saying I need OS

I'm pretty new to photography (6 months) so my technique is at best rubbish and I think the OS will help me out
 
If I'm honest I think mainly hand held although Defo monopod when at the track
 
Would look into the 150-500mm then. OS is very good and if you get a good copy then perfectly usable at 500mm f7.1 (just 1/3rd of a stop down)
 
So you rate this higher than the 120-400?
 
I have a 150-500 and it's great.

2 settings on OS, one of which is specifically for panning.
 
The 120-400 is not sharper and 100mm shorter. Always go with the longest telephoto you can afford without sacrificing image quality or you will end up buying again and again :)
 
rusty said:
Not a zoom but at under £200 there is Canon FD 300 f4 lens , MF only but seem to remember it was well regarded when I was doing some research last year.
Not sure if an adapter is needed for these .

Julian
Click to expand...

This wouldn't be a good idea on the Canon EOS system as you'd need an adapter with a glass element acting as a mild teleconverter = performance degradation and half a stop of light loss.

I could recommend the Tamron 200-400/5.6 which is usually found for very little on ebay (£100-120). Not perfect, but certainly usable stopped down a touch. The Sigma 120-400mm OS is decent as well.

As an aside, I picked up a Canon 100-400L with a small scratch for £650.00 a while back.
 
I've used the Sigma 150-500 for three years mostly birds and it is an excellent lens, generally considered better than the 120-400, the 50-500 is good optically but no IS, having used an IS lens you wouldn't want to be without it and the one on the 150-500 is amazing. I've just acquired the 120-300 f2.8 which I now use with a 2X so will be selling my 150-500. This was one was from my first (and only) visit shooting motorsport.

IMG_5215.jpg
 
I've just bought a Sigma 150-500 OS from www.panamoz.com and got it for £618 including p&p. I ordered it on the 2nd Jan and received it on the 6th Jan by fedex. Great service and a great lens. I've been trying it against my 100-400 L and there's not a lot of difference in the IQ to be honest from either my 7D or my 5D2.
 
I have both the 50-500mm non OS (which imo is better than the 150-500mm) and a Sigma 100-300mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter and have to say I would take the 100-300mm option any day .. even without OS.

The 100-300mm is sharp from f4 so even with the TC you get 420mm f5.6 whereas the big Sigmas need f8 to really start performing. (and they are not a true 500mm anyway, more around 450mm.)

Couple of shots taken with mine on the 50D.






Have recently bought a EF 400mm f5.6 but not had much of a chance to use that yet.
 
quick reminder guys, no dealing outside the classifieds :)
 
dod said:
quick reminder guys, no dealing outside the classifieds :)
Click to expand...

All inocent,,,soz

im off for a lay down my head is spinning lol
 
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