Help me decide........
Discussion
I hired a new Sigma 50-500 APO DG HSM a few weeks back and despite the heavy weight I found the lens to be really good for what I needed as a rapidly learning wildlife photographer. Images were very sharp and full of colour throughout the focal range. I have a canon EF 75-300 which I've quickly grown out of so I'm looking for that extra range. I was on the path of buying when I found a bunch of new ones for sale at about £550 a pop. Not grey imports, just an opportune availability that quickly vanished..... unsurprisingly. As I was finalising my decision my mate said 'you'd be better off with a mk1 Canon 100-400 L with a 1.4 extender'. Actually, my photography tutor said the same last weekend, but neither have tried the Sigma.
Is he / are they right? Can the Mk1 canon with 1.4 add on be compared to the new Sigma? Price wise i am wary of going for the Mk2 given my experience so it really is a toss up between £600~ for the sigma or £800/£900 for the canon combo.
Help me out guys!
Eddie
Is he / are they right? Can the Mk1 canon with 1.4 add on be compared to the new Sigma? Price wise i am wary of going for the Mk2 given my experience so it really is a toss up between £600~ for the sigma or £800/£900 for the canon combo.
Help me out guys!
Eddie
The 100-400 will only autofocus with 1.4tc on very few bodies (1series, 5d3, 7dmk2) even then it won't be great.
I would say always buy a decent lens with the focal length you want, don't buy one to specifically use a tc with (Outside of the 600L... Etc)
I would have looked at the new 150-600 though, a better overall lens
I would say always buy a decent lens with the focal length you want, don't buy one to specifically use a tc with (Outside of the 600L... Etc)
I would have looked at the new 150-600 though, a better overall lens
jurbie said:
I had to make the same decision many years ago and went with the Sigma after finding quite a few people who were a little underwhelmed with the Canon. I can't fault it really and still use it quite regularly.
Answer I wanted. So many canon die hards out there who have never looked at the sigma. I'm new to the game which possibly helps as I'm not a brand snob. Thanks above for the advice ref autofocus on an extender. I've got an 1100d which I find very good for my needs. The sigma worked really well with it and the image stabilisation worked a treat when off the tripod.
Guess I'm waiting for the sales!
As Rob has said, consider the new 150-600 instead of the old (and now discontinued) 50-500.
Whilst the 50-500 is a decent lens, it comes from a different era of Sigma. They are currently on a real role with their new lenses for both build and optical quality.
The 150-600 Sport will be out of your price range, but the 150-600mm Contemporary is less then the Canon set up you were considering, and gives you a longer focal length than either. Beyond 400, it will optically be the best too (compared to the canon with the teleconverter or the 50-500 sigma)
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sigma-150-600mm...
Whilst the 50-500 is a decent lens, it comes from a different era of Sigma. They are currently on a real role with their new lenses for both build and optical quality.
The 150-600 Sport will be out of your price range, but the 150-600mm Contemporary is less then the Canon set up you were considering, and gives you a longer focal length than either. Beyond 400, it will optically be the best too (compared to the canon with the teleconverter or the 50-500 sigma)
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sigma-150-600mm...
Just looked it up... How new is it? In terms of design?
My understanding is that all new sigma lenses are categorised as A for Art, S for Sport, or C for contemporary. Since they have used this nomenclature they have had some really outstanding lenses released.
AFAIK, the 50-500 whilst current, isn't a 'new' lens. Although i am happy to be proven wrong!
Still, unless you really need the 50 end, i would still go for the 150-600. Personally i would find the extra 100mm more useful on the long end then the short end, YMMV!
My understanding is that all new sigma lenses are categorised as A for Art, S for Sport, or C for contemporary. Since they have used this nomenclature they have had some really outstanding lenses released.
AFAIK, the 50-500 whilst current, isn't a 'new' lens. Although i am happy to be proven wrong!
Still, unless you really need the 50 end, i would still go for the 150-600. Personally i would find the extra 100mm more useful on the long end then the short end, YMMV!
The new one has improved IS and is sharper around the edges. It's heavy but the build quality of the new chassis is decent. It's liked for it's ease of use apparently, and I certainly found it pretty good when i hired one out. I'm still open to the 100-400 mk1 with 1.4 extender as thinking about it, I don't use autofocus much at that range.
Well, good luck!
As a bit of self promotion (not exactly promotion cos I don't get paid!) I have a few of the things you're interested in here https://chris-stamp.smugmug.com/
If you want any pointers, give me a shout!......if you like my stuff of course....
As a bit of self promotion (not exactly promotion cos I don't get paid!) I have a few of the things you're interested in here https://chris-stamp.smugmug.com/
If you want any pointers, give me a shout!......if you like my stuff of course....
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