Wanna offer a lens opinion?

[MCary]

Getting a tax refund. Don't ask me how, I don't know.

I'm getting a new long lens. I want a 400 mm. My budget is ~$1000 so I have narrowed it down to 2. It's going on a Canon 30D. I think 400 mm is about as long as I can go within a reasonable budget before pictures turn from artistic to just interesting, if you know what I mean.

Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens

or

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens

Now, I know the first reaction from the purists is to say, "Get the white lens! No brainer" because they are such great lenses. But I would appreciate some thought and any experiance if you have it.

I'll be using it for nature photgraphy mostly.

Anyone wanna chime in, I'd appreciate it.

Mike

 

[BlueCorn]

The Sigma has a much slower auto-focus, is very heavy and it's not real sharp at 400 from everything that I've read.

I'd get the Canon if it were my money.

 

[MCary]

But it does have an optical stabalizer. Its a little soft on the edges, but since its going on a 30D, I don't use the edges anyway.

It breaks down to quality vs versatility.

There is no way I'll find a zoom with the optical quality of a prime. But I do have a 70-200 f/4L???

Yeah the Canon lens is in the lead.

Mike

 

[BlueCorn]

If you're shooting wildlife or birds the autofocus speed on the Sig is a problem. It really depends on what you want to use the lens for.

I, for example, shoot almost exclusively landscapes. 99.99% of those shots are on a tripod using manual focus. Stabilization, f/stop (within reason), focus speed don't mean squat to me.


Since you already have the 70-200, why buy all of that overlap? How about a Tamron 200-500. I have one and it's a great lens. It's even still in your price range.

 

[MCary]

Just checked out the Tamron Lens at Adorama. Looks like a sweet lens. Anything more you can tell me about it?

 

[BlueCorn]

With the lens shade on it's freakishly long when extended to 500mm


Quite a few of these shots were made with that lens. They were at the local zoo and I didn't have my tripod so they are all hand held. You should be able to tell from the EXIF which are and which aren't

 

[MCary]

Update- I bought the 400mm f/5.6L. Very sweet lens. Tack sharp images hand held on a sunny day. I'll post some images when I get a few good ones. Fantastic lens. Not disappointed yet.