What's the best 300mm zoom?

[siejones]

What the best in term of IQ and bulid quaility X-300mm zoom (not prime) on the market today?

Is it a Canon, Sigma or Tamron?

What do you guys think?

Price no object

 

[mho]

id guess at the Canon 28-300 3.5-5.6 L IS USM

As thats the only one ive used

 

[Braeden]

Well, it really depends on your budget.

I swapped my Sigma 70-300 APO DG lens for my current Canon 70-300 IS USM lens and am very glad I did.

If funds had allowed I may well have gone for the Sigma 100-300 f/4 instead though...

 

[Ally]

Sigma 120-300 2.8 has many fans, I think joe has one?

 

[Joe T]

Sigma 120-300 2.8 has many fans, I think joe has one?

I do indeed. And I believe it is probably the best lens that fits the OP's description. Its really a 300mm prime with an extra zoom function.

 

[kamion]

Here are a couple of shots with the Canon 70-300 IS @ 300mm.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=158225

 

[seriousrikk]

I have the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 also. This lens is definitly the best if you take IQ, build quality as the main factors. AF speed is also damn quick too.
Certainly fits OP's requirements postes so far

 

[Joe T]

I have the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 also. This lens is definitly the best if you take IQ, build quality as the main factors. AF speed is also damn quick too.
Certainly fits OP's requirements postes so far

Agreed. However, given how far away the 120-300 2.8 is from the usual crop of 70-300s, I think its not really what he's after!

 

[SDK^]

Here are a couple of shots with the Canon 70-300 IS @ 300mm.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=158225

Yup, the Canon 70-300mm IS is a great lens.
It's reasonably priced (£350) has Image Stabilisation and good image quality across the range.

 

[Grendel]

Another vote for the Canon 70-300 IS USM from me!

Have a look at the review here:
http://photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/index.htm

Here's a quote from that review to be going on with:

"So in terms of optical quality the EF 70-300mm IS can be almost described as a hidden Canon L lens."

 

[Col_M]

What do you guys think?

Price no object

No first hand experience here but the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 like people say would probably be on the top of my list

 

[siejones]

Thanks for your replys everyone

This is the first time I have seen a non canon/Nikon lens come top of the list in it's category. The only L lens to come close is the 28-300 and thats trying to do too much to keep up the IQ.

The canon range has many to choose from in this category but non which live upto L standards. In most other category's of zooms/primes there is an L that will sit on top or at least sit side by side with another brand. This of coarse does not include the 100-400L which sits in another category.

 

[EOSAddict]

People say the Sig 120-300 is better than the 100-300 and that's pretty damn good (I have one). The 120-300 is my next step up!