Yet more lens advice please
Discussion
Yet another plea for help/advice
Looking to get a “long” lens – Mainly for Sports/Motorsports/Wildlife/Birds work
Choices boil down to
(all Canon)
100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS. USM
300mm F4 I.S USM
400mm F5.6 USM (non I.S.)
I’m leaning towards the 300mm with perhaps the intention off adding a converter at a later date (thinking the I.S will be the advantage here)
Anyone with experience of any of these or any type of comparison ?
Looking to get a “long” lens – Mainly for Sports/Motorsports/Wildlife/Birds work
Choices boil down to
(all Canon)
100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS. USM
300mm F4 I.S USM
400mm F5.6 USM (non I.S.)
I’m leaning towards the 300mm with perhaps the intention off adding a converter at a later date (thinking the I.S will be the advantage here)
Anyone with experience of any of these or any type of comparison ?
I have no direct experience of those lenses but i can say 300 will be too short for birds in most (almost all) situations.
The other two are both generally considered to be very good but each has its flaws (400 prime sharp, great AF, but long minimum focus distance and no IS. 100-400 some examples arent as sharp as others, some people dont like the "push-pull" zoom but all-in-all a great lens.)
The other two are both generally considered to be very good but each has its flaws (400 prime sharp, great AF, but long minimum focus distance and no IS. 100-400 some examples arent as sharp as others, some people dont like the "push-pull" zoom but all-in-all a great lens.)
300 is too short for birds.
400 prime has a hideous mfd but you can sort that with a small extension tube. Love my 400/5.6 its light, fast, pin sharp.
100-400L is the most versatile, focus is fine, IS usable but needs time to settle. Its sharp enough at 400/5.6 if you use the right technique (and you dont get a poor one). Bokeh isnt quite as good as the prime.
100-400 is also more expensive and heavier, though it would be my recommendation unless you can borrow (one of) the primes and feel they would be ok.
400 prime has a hideous mfd but you can sort that with a small extension tube. Love my 400/5.6 its light, fast, pin sharp.
100-400L is the most versatile, focus is fine, IS usable but needs time to settle. Its sharp enough at 400/5.6 if you use the right technique (and you dont get a poor one). Bokeh isnt quite as good as the prime.
100-400 is also more expensive and heavier, though it would be my recommendation unless you can borrow (one of) the primes and feel they would be ok.
covboy said:
Just bunping this back up as I'm looking to get my purchase sorted this weekend.
Can't comment on the canon options I'm afraid, but have you considered alternatives?The 'Bigma' 50-500 OS looks like it might be in your budget, more reach but maybe a hint slow at the long end for motorsport?
The new sigma 120-300 2.8 OS is rather lovely, but will be at least 2k, ffordes have a second hand older model without OS for 1K here: http://www.ffordes.com/product/11081017551881 but personally that feels a little steep given the new model.
If you want to go cheap, the sigma 300mm f4 HSM and 400mm 5.6 HSM primes are as good as the non-IS canons, but are hens teeth in digital compatible versions
Sigmas 100-300f4 is OK, the 120-300f2.8 is excellent but most of them arnt really great at 300/2.8, usable, but not great.
120-300 is also a large and heavy lump. I'm very tempted with a 120-300f2.8OS, much improved , weathersealed, good OS.
Except I dont have much of a reason to buy it and I'd leave it at home way too much.
50-500 is OK but IMO not a patch on the 100-400 for IQ.
I'd also pick a USM lens over a HSM lens every day of the week, sigma just cant seem to get it right, even if its accurate it tracks like a pig. Saying that the 120-300's seem good.
120-300 is also a large and heavy lump. I'm very tempted with a 120-300f2.8OS, much improved , weathersealed, good OS.
Except I dont have much of a reason to buy it and I'd leave it at home way too much.
50-500 is OK but IMO not a patch on the 100-400 for IQ.
I'd also pick a USM lens over a HSM lens every day of the week, sigma just cant seem to get it right, even if its accurate it tracks like a pig. Saying that the 120-300's seem good.
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