Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L or Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS

bhundt

I have been shopping around for a new zoom lens and I'm stuck between the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L & Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS. There is the obvious price difference but what else separates these lenses?
I currently own the Canon 50mm F1.8, 80mm F1.8,Sigma 15-30mm F3.5 & Sigma 70-300mm f/4. I would like to get into something that is sharper at the longer range.
Thanks for your advice!

anonymouscuban

I just rented the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS for a whale watching trip I am going to tomorrow. It's a Nikon mount though. I will share my experience along with some pics if you'd like. Let me know?

bhundt

anonymouscuban wrote: »

I just rented the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS for a whale watching trip I am going to tomorrow. It's a Nikon mount though. I will share my experience along with some pics if you'd like. Let me know?

That would be great.
Thanks!

anonymouscuban

Stay tuned.

GSPeP

I have no experience with the Sigma 150-500, but some examples of pictures taken with the canon 100-400 can be found here:

http://www.steendorp.com/Photography/Canon-100-400-IS-L-lens/

Focal length and camera model are mentioned under the picture (5D or 1DIII)

These series were also all taken with the 100-400 on the 1DIII:
http://www.steendorp.info/Sports/Briqville-Sluggers-2010/Briqville-Seraing/
http://www.steendorp.info/Sports/Briqville-Sluggers-2010/Briqville-Borgerhout-kadetten/
http://www.steendorp.info/Sports/Briqville-Sluggers-2010/Briqville-Brussels/

Airedrifter

I can't comment on the Sigma, but I use the 100/400 all the time in the field. It is very sharp. I have the 70/200 2.8 IS asl well. If I have any doubts about the reach of the 70/200, I do not hesitate to take the 100/400 and have almost no drop in image quality.

Here is a series of photos taken this past weekend with the 100/400.

http://mikesawyer.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Sports/Whitewater/Carols-Room-of-Doom-Rescue/13876595_mkLjY/1/1015862315_t3VN5

kdog

Do people worry about needing to "rechip" Sigma lenses any more? Rechipping, for those that don't know, is when Canon makes a minor change to the lens signal interface for some new camera model and suddenly the non-Canon lens doesn't work any more. So the lens must be sent back to Sigma for a firmware change. I know when I bought my 100-400 back in 2005, there was a lot of talk of Sigma lenses needing to be rechipped. As far as I know, Canon never licensed the lens bus specification, so Sigma presumably reverse engineered it. The problem is that many times the inventor of a signal interface will build in features for future expansion or upgrades that may not be apparent to a person who reverse engineers it. How do I know Sigma got it right? If Sigma actually licensed the bus from Canon I'd feel a lot better about buying one.

Also, I really love my 100-400. It's one of my most used lenses and I take it everywhere. I've used it on my old 20D, my 40D, and my 5DMKII now, and I have no doubt I'll have it on many more bodies as well. The 5DMKII really brings out the best in this lens for some reason. The shots just seem more vibrant or something.

hammer Y11

bhundt wrote: »

I have been shopping around for a new zoom lens and I'm stuck between the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L & Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS. There is the obvious price difference but what else separates these lenses?
I currently own the Canon 50mm F1.8, 80mm F1.8,Sigma 15-30mm F3.5 & Sigma 70-300mm f/4. I would like to get into something that is sharper at the longer range.
Thanks for your advice!

Bhundt,

I can't speak to the differences between the two lenses, but if you are looking for a deal to help you decide, I am selling my Canon 100-400mm lens. I thought I would use it more, but it's been barely used it all.

This lens is in immaculate condition. It comes with the lens, lens case, lens caps (front and back), hood, and a Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer (which has been protecting this lens from the second it came out of the packaging). I'm selling the lens because I never use it - which explains its immaculate condition.

The Estimated Retail Price (by Canon) is $1799.00
The best price I could find online for a brand new one: $1499.00 (at Walmart)
Best price I could find online for a used one: $1275.00 (ebay)

My price: $1200.00



Product Description:
L-series super telephoto zoom lens equipped with an Image Stabilizer. The fluorite and Super UD-glass elements largely eliminate secondary spectrum. The floating system also ensures high picture quality at all focal lengths. The Image Stabilizer has two modes and it is compatible with Extenders 1.4x II and 2x II.

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture 100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction 17 elements in 14 groups
Diagonal Angle of View 24° - 6° 10'
Focus Adjustment Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance 1.8m/ 5.9 ft.
Zoom System Linear extension Type
Filter Size 77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight 3.6" x 7.4", 3.1 lbs. / 92mm x 189mm, 1,380g

Ric Grupe

kdog wrote: »

also, i really love my 100-400. It's one of my most used lenses and i take it everywhere.

+1

angevin1

anonymouscuban wrote: »

I just rented the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 OS for a whale watching trip I am going to tomorrow. It's a Nikon mount though. I will share my experience along with some pics if you'd like. Let me know?

Please do! I am curious about this lens!

angevin1

Joel, those are some slick images!

kdog

Hey thanks, Tom. I don't know what it is, but the 100-400 on the 5DMII just seem to be magic. There are more shots with that combo here. http://www.desertilluminations.com/Vacation/Yellowstone

angevin1

kdog wrote: »

Hey thanks, Tom. I don't know what it is, but the 100-400 on the 5DMII just seem to be magic. There are more shots with that combo here. http://www.desertilluminations.com/Vacation/Yellowstone

Perfect. On my Short list! And Thanks for the Link!