Good Wildlife Tele lens

[seandudding]

Hi

I am looking at buying a lense specifically for Wildlife shoots.

I currently have the Sigma 80 - 400 OS, and I do like this lense, but on a recent trip to Florida, i found it to slow for some faster action shots.

Would I be better of buying the Sigma 120 - 300 or the 70 - 200 with Teleconvertor. The only thing distracting me from the 120 - 300 is the weight, I would probably have to use a monopod with that lense, and carrying it around could be a pain.

Any other sugestions? Not sure my budget will stretch to high end canon though...

Thanks for any suggestions.

[monkeyhanger]

100-400L.

I have both the 100-400 and the Sigma 120-300 (mostly used with 2xTC) and would recommend either, but i almost always use the Sigma with a monopod.

The 100-400 comes out on bright days when i can't be bothered carrying the 'pod around.

[seandudding]

MH

Thanks, but is the 100 - 400 fast enough???

[monkeyhanger]

seandudding said:

MH

Thanks, but is the 100 - 400 fast enough???

Depends on why you found your 80-400 too "slow"

If it's the f4.5-5.6 max aperture then the 100-400 is not for you as it's the same as your Sigma...

If it's an AF speed issue, then the 100-400 is much better than your Sigma in that respect, judging from what i've been told by people who have used both.

[seandudding]

MH

Thanks again, yes the AF speed on the sigma can be slow. Maybe I should try the canon, but the 120 - 300 is lurring me, and I don;t know why....

[graham@reading]

400 minimum. Probably with a teleconverter too so that drops a few stops (1 in terms of the x1.4 and 2 for the x2)

These Cormorants on Arran today, for example, were remarkably happy with humans getting close but I still needed the 400 to get the frame filled with several. For an individual you'd need at least 600 or so equivalent.

(that pic's not cropped btw)

Edited by graham@reading on Saturday 4th November 21:18

[monkeyhanger]

seandudding said:

MH

Thanks again, yes the AF speed on the sigma can be slow. Maybe I should try the canon, but the 120 - 300 is lurring me, and I don;t know why....

The 120-300 is a superb lens. It takes a 1.4xTC with little or no loss of AF speed or Image Quality. Mine works very well with a 2x TC, with the occasional bit of PP work needed on some shots. The 2x DOES affect the AF though, but you can get over this with pre-focussing.

You'll not find anything better this side of the Canon 300L f2.8IS...which costs a hell of a lot more.

Edited by monkeyhanger on Saturday 4th November 21:42