Sigma 150-500 or canon 100-400nk 1

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lawrenceots

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Lawrence
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So it is time for me to get a big lens but I am struggling. Both will be purchased used, prices are about 500 for the canonand 400 for the sigma. Both seem good reviews online, Ken Rockwell etc. Mostly wildlife as that's my hobby. I currently have a 55-250 canon and am very very happy with the sharpness, just the lebgth that is a bit short.. Any comments or views please? I will be using a Canon 700D
 
Hope you found some other reviews apart from Ken,lost them now but i did have links to him shouting the praises of the 150-500 and then another saying it was a poor lens,depends what point he is trying to push at any one time.
 
Ahhh no real world experience? I need help!!
 
I've had both of the lenses you're interested in, I had a really good Sigma 150-500 which was nice and sharp and a good Canon 100-400L I which was sharp too. The focus speed of the Canon was slightly faster but the zoom is a push / pull which you might find takes a bit of getting used to. The Sigma is a standard twist zoom though although I didn't find the Canon a problem after a couple of times. I got some great airplane and wildlife shots with both lenses, but in the end I had to sell the Sigma as I hurt my elbow and couldn't keep it steady handheld for long periods. I would suggest giving them a try first and pick the best of the two for your camera. There has been some reports of soft Sigma's but mine was super. There's quite a few shots with the Sigma on my Flikr page if you want a look. Hope you find what you're looking for soon.
 
Also on a different note add the Sigma 120-400mm lens into your list. More or less the same focal length of the Canon but when I had the 150-600mm and the 120-400mm sigmas, I found the 120-400mm to be far superior. I could have a very good copy though.
 
I have owned both the Canon 100-400 and I now have the Sigma which is in the classifieds.

They both have their pros and cons.

Canon

Pros: Better construction and mine was a sharp copy and I got some real nice photos right up 400mm

Cons: The trombone zoom action is not to every ones taste and this mechanism does attract dust into the lens body. Certainly would be more expensive than the Sigma.

Sigma

Pros: longer reach (that extra 100mm does make a difference) better IS than the Canon and sharp up to 450mm. Would be cheaper than the Canon second hand

Cons: Above 450mm you need to up the aperture to f8 to get the best of the lens.

Both

Pros: After some practice it is possible to get really good images with both hand held even at maximum zoom

Cons: Both are heavy and to get really great images both benefit from a stable platform (Tripod, monopod, wall or similar). Both have been replaced by newer versions.

In case you are wondering. I gave my Canon to my son who still uses it occasionally. I now have no need of the Sigma for two reasons. Mainly I no longer take photos which need that sort of lens and also due to an arm injury I cannot handhold my camera and the lens. I really cannot be bothered with carrying a tripod around.

Whatever decision you make I am sure you will get a lot of pleasure playing with the chosen lens and learning the required techniques to get the best results.

Good luck
 
Appreciate the reply Grumps, one to mull over some more and count the pennies!
 
hmm will invesitage this 120-400 sigma! Cheers!
 
I had the Sigma and the original Canon 100-400 a while back and although a good lenses in their day, imo there are better options now. The Tamron 150-600 can be purchased secondhand for around £540 and is generally superior with an extra 100mm reach on top. If you could stretch a bit further then the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary would be a very good choice.
If you can find a sharp copy of the Canon 100-400, that too is an option but you would have to pay a similar amount to the Sigma C which is a better choice as it's a more up to date lens with better IQ and witha Sigma dock, you can choose your settings and update firmware easily.
I hope this helps.
 
I had a Sigma 150-500 and found it to be a cracking good lens, the OS system is far superior to the Canon. IQ probably not a lot in it, the Sigma is heavier than the Canon though. My brother-in law had the Canon and we couldn't see much difference in the images. When I bought mine it was a lot cheaper than the Canon. I now use a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 with a 2X, now that is a heavy lens!!
 
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