What to replace 500 with
Discussion
With a heavy heart, I'm flogging my Canon 500 to free up some cash due to a 4 month old son.
I will want to replace it with something reasonably long to use with a 1D3 and 5D3 for birds and other wildlife plus the odd trip to Silverstone.
I've had a 100-400 and 300 f4 before, but never tried a 400 5.6.
I'm torn between which of the 3 to go for, they all have their pluses and minuses, anyone got experience with them all?
Thanks
I will want to replace it with something reasonably long to use with a 1D3 and 5D3 for birds and other wildlife plus the odd trip to Silverstone.
I've had a 100-400 and 300 f4 before, but never tried a 400 5.6.
I'm torn between which of the 3 to go for, they all have their pluses and minuses, anyone got experience with them all?
Thanks
Well I have a couple of 100-400s and not got on with either of them (virtually always shot at 400 as well rendering the zoom pointless), now have a 400 5.6 which is really nice and sharp and quite wieldy also
Sparrow by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
Sparrow by Dibbly Dobbler, on Flickr
nellyleelephant said:
Thanks, did you miss IS? Most of time it will be mounted to a now comically sized tripod, so I suppose it's a non issue.
Not at all - I always try and keep up a decent shutter speed (as the birdy might move never mind me) so no big deal.Just as a flanker - how about the Tamron 150-600? Reviews really well and can get one for under a grand I think
The maximum aperture is f5 between 150mm and about 230mm, f5.6 between about 230mm and about 410mm, and f6.3 between about 410mm and 600mm. AF speed varied with focal length. Measured AF speed on the test bench in bright light on an EOS 7D from infinity to close focus (2.7m) was 0.3s at 150mm, 0.33s at 250mm and 400mm, and 0.41s at 600mm. There is a focus limiter which restricts focus to 15m. Focus time for 15m to infinity at 600mm is 0.23s. Focus slowed in very dim light and at 600mm, it takes 1.5 seconds to rack focus from infinity to close focus (2.7m) in essentially zero light. AF operation was silent, which prevents disturbing wildlife or drawing attention to the lens.
http://photo.net/reviews/tamron-150-600/
http://photo.net/reviews/tamron-150-600/
RobDickinson said:
The maximum aperture is f5 between 150mm and about 230mm, f5.6 between about 230mm and about 410mm, and f6.3 between about 410mm and 600mm. AF speed varied with focal length. Measured AF speed on the test bench in bright light on an EOS 7D from infinity to close focus (2.7m) was 0.3s at 150mm, 0.33s at 250mm and 400mm, and 0.41s at 600mm. There is a focus limiter which restricts focus to 15m. Focus time for 15m to infinity at 600mm is 0.23s. Focus slowed in very dim light and at 600mm, it takes 1.5 seconds to rack focus from infinity to close focus (2.7m) in essentially zero light. AF operation was silent, which prevents disturbing wildlife or drawing attention to the lens.
http://photo.net/reviews/tamron-150-600/
Thanks for that, I'll have a good read.http://photo.net/reviews/tamron-150-600/
If you're happy with 300mm, have you considered the Sigma 120-300 f2.8? It's a bit pricier than some of the other options but seems to have good reviews. I think it will be my next purchase.....and will probably be locked to 300mm @ f2.8
eta; sample images here.
eta; sample images here.
Edited by tim-b on Tuesday 19th August 13:28
I have just gone to a 500 f4, and looked at all of the options in between ( 100-400, 400 5.6, 150-600 and have spent whole days with those lenses) and I can tell you with some conviction that nothing comes close to the exotic telephotos. The sharpness, and the speed is just on another planet - and none of the other options are sharp wide open, they need to be at f8. And the amount of contrast and colour that the lens picks up, like the iris details of birds is just unmatched by the consumer options.
ExPat2B said:
I have just gone to a 500 f4, and looked at all of the options in between ( 100-400, 400 5.6, 150-600 and have spent whole days with those lenses) and I can tell you with some conviction that nothing comes close to the exotic telephotos. The sharpness, and the speed is just on another planet - and none of the other options are sharp wide open, they need to be at f8. And the amount of contrast and colour that the lens picks up, like the iris details of birds is just unmatched by the consumer options.
....which is why I'm having to keep mine!Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff