Hi,
I've been looking for a serious wildlife lens for a while. Initially I wanted a prime (300mm and up) but now I'm contemplating a zoom for extra flex. I was in India and couldn't get the picture of a tiger because of my rented 500 f.4.
I'm also poor and have limited funds ;) so that has become a new concern. Although I want canon (L series) I might have to go for a white label like Sigma or Tamron. But which one to get? I heard sigma brought out the new 150-500 zoom but i've hard mixed emotions.
Who can recommend me a good lens, and which one would that be?
Thanks a lot!
Pieter
www.pietervanherpen.com
Posted by John Tobias on March 31, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Pieter,
I recently purchased the Sigma 150-500 for my Canon. So far I have been pleased with the lens. I have 2 photos currently posted taken with that lens, one in Avian, a turkey which was a grab shot, and one in this forum where I am asking for ID of a Fox sparrow. The Avian one was taken hand held but braced on my car window, the Sparrow was taken using a monopod. It is somewhat heavy but the stabilization is a big plus. I do not regret buying it.
Pieter
I also have the Sigma 150-500 OS. I have only had it for about 2 weeks but so far I like it. My last 2 posts in Avian were taken with this lens. The Flicker and the Steller's Jay. One thing to remember with this lens. Even though it has OS you still need to use good long lens technique for best results. I think that's the mistake a lot of people make. It also appears to be sharpest stopped down to f8. I have had limited time to test it because of weather but am heading out today for some birding. I will give you an update later today or tomorow.
Regards
Clayton
For cost and sharpness, you might consider the canon 400 f/5.6L. Slow, yes, and you lose autofocus with TCs (unless you have a 1D series camera), but it's light and very sharp. It's sharper than the 100-400 as well as the 300 f4+1.4x TC.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on April 4, 2010 at 12:30 AM
What about the Canon 100-400? And I am curious, why do you call third party lenses, white label?
Discussion
5 repliesI've been looking for a serious wildlife lens for a while. Initially I wanted a prime (300mm and up) but now I'm contemplating a zoom for extra flex. I was in India and couldn't get the picture of a tiger because of my rented 500 f.4.
I'm also poor and have limited funds ;) so that has become a new concern. Although I want canon (L series) I might have to go for a white label like Sigma or Tamron. But which one to get? I heard sigma brought out the new 150-500 zoom but i've hard mixed emotions.
Who can recommend me a good lens, and which one would that be?
Thanks a lot!
Pieter
www.pietervanherpen.com
I recently purchased the Sigma 150-500 for my Canon. So far I have been pleased with the lens. I have 2 photos currently posted taken with that lens, one in Avian, a turkey which was a grab shot, and one in this forum where I am asking for ID of a Fox sparrow. The Avian one was taken hand held but braced on my car window, the Sparrow was taken using a monopod. It is somewhat heavy but the stabilization is a big plus. I do not regret buying it.
Thanks a lot for the advice. You're pics look real nice. I'll keep it in mind! Which other lenses are you shooting with?
I also have the Sigma 150-500 OS. I have only had it for about 2 weeks but so far I like it. My last 2 posts in Avian were taken with this lens. The Flicker and the Steller's Jay. One thing to remember with this lens. Even though it has OS you still need to use good long lens technique for best results. I think that's the mistake a lot of people make. It also appears to be sharpest stopped down to f8. I have had limited time to test it because of weather but am heading out today for some birding. I will give you an update later today or tomorow.
Regards
Clayton