Which Telephoto Zoom to go with?

NyarthlopicNyarthlopic Registered Users Posts: 274 Major grins
edited February 11, 2012 in Accessories
I'm looking to replace my Canon 75-300mm F/4-5.6. You know the one...really cheap, couldn't get a sharp picture of a stationary object while sitting on a tripod at f/8. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I'm unhappy with it for a number of reasons.

Anyway, I'm going to be using the replacement to take pictures of wildlife, mostly birds, I imagine. But that all depends on what kinds of wildlife I come across. I'm shooting with a Canon 7D and will be doing mostly handheld.

I've narrowed it down to two lenses that interest me:
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6

I like the extra range on the 500, but since the price is pretty even, that makes me wonder about the quality. I'm more interested in the sharper picture than the extra range...I have no issues cropping. My 300 was usually long enough for my purposes, but there were a few times where I needed more.

Do any of you have experience with these pieces of glass? If you have other suggestions in the same price range (~$1,000), I'm more than open to them.

Comments

  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2012
    A used Canon 100 - 400 maybe?
    I bought mine (used) for not that much more than the 1k you mention - and I'm aware of quite a few ppl using the the 7D+100-400 ... and being satisfied with the results. This also includes another local snapper I know personally.

    Just a thought :)

    pp
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  • NyarthlopicNyarthlopic Registered Users Posts: 274 Major grins
    edited February 10, 2012
    I'd thought about that, but I am leery of buying used glass; I've picked up some used in the past and it was just too "loose" for my taste. I've also read that the zoom on the Canon 100-400 has a vacuum affect and attracts dust more than it probably should.
    puzzledpaul wrote: »
    A used Canon 100 - 400 maybe?
    I bought mine (used) for not that much more than the 1k you mention - and I'm aware of quite a few ppl using the the 7D+100-400 ... and being satisfied with the results. This also includes another local snapper I know personally.

    Just a thought :)

    pp
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited February 11, 2012
    Nyarthlopic wrote: »
    I'd thought about that, but I am leery of buying used glass; I've picked up some used in the past and it was just too "loose" for my taste. I've also read that the zoom on the Canon 100-400 has a vacuum affect and attracts dust more than it probably should.

    Any zoom that that changes the length of the lens is pulling dust into the lens, otherwise the
    lens would snap back to the original length if you let go of the zoom control.

    +1 on the Canon 100-400.
    It's a heck of a lens.

    The zoom's "looseness" can be controlled by the friction collar on the lens.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited February 11, 2012
    The Canon 70-300 IS L lens is excellent, and probably a touch sharper than the 100-400 ( at least mine it ), and will be much sharper than your 70-300.

    It is also about 100 bucks cheaper than the 100-400 at B&H, and a much newer, more recent lens by Canon.

    One thing to be aware, is that the 70-300 IS L does not match up with Canon tele- extenders and the 100-400 will, (although not very good optically).
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
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