Gear Change Up

SDJames

Looking to make some changes. I have the Digital Rebel and the Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM (and other basic lenses). I'm gonna sell my racing kayak I haven't used since having kids and upgrade the photo gear. I'm considering the 20D, Sigma 120-300 f2.8, Sigma TC 2x, and a smaller telezoom like Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4, but would like some guidance. I love the idea of the Canon L series, but not the price. My primary shooting is surf and sports. I hear good things about the Tamron 28-75 as well.

Thoughts?

DJ-S1

Love the Tamron 28-75 f2.8, love the 20D. Don't think you can go wrong with those. I also have the Canon 70-200 f/4L which is excellent, and a relative bargain for L glass. The 2.8 version would be nice but it's big bucks, out of my range. Can't comment on the other lenses since I have no experience with them.

I think you'll really like the 20D compared to the Rebel. Get some fast CF cards too.

JimM

DJ-S1 wrote:

Love the Tamron 28-75 f2.8, love the 20D. Don't think you can go wrong with those. I also have the Canon 70-200 f/4L which is excellent, and a relative bargain for L glass.

I have and love both the Tamron 28-75 2.8 and the 20D. I really like my 200 2.8 L as well. It is older and I have seen it for under $500 on FM. The nice part is it give you 2.8, bad is no zoom.

If your primary is surf and sports, if budget permits, I would look into a 300mm, maybe f4?

Scott_Quier

I have the Tamron lens. Love it. I had the Digital Rebal and now have the 20D. Love the upgrade and don't for a minute regret it.

IMO, you can't go wrong with the camera/lens combination.

Reading other posts here, there was some debate about the bang-for-the-buck equation on 20D vs the 30D. Don't know if there was ever a concensus reached on that. How's that for muddying the waters a bit for you?

Seriously, go with the 20D and the Tamron 28-75, good combination.

SDJames

Get some fast CF cards too.

Yep, got the Ultra III...makes a difference on my current body!

If your primary is surf and sports, if budget permits, I would look into a 300mm, maybe f4?

Absolutely, I want the 300mm length with f2.8, but am stuck on options. The Sigma 120-300/2.8 is $2100. I am tempted by the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS USM or similar Sigma, but wondering if I am better getting 300mm at f2.8 instead of getting there with a TC. Hmm.

Thanks for the help

sthig

SDJames wrote:

Yep, got the Ultra III...makes a difference on my current body!


Absolutely, I want the 300mm length with f2.8, but am stuck on options. The Sigma 120-300/2.8 is $2100. I am tempted by the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS USM or similar Sigma, but wondering if I am better getting 300mm at f2.8 instead of getting there with a TC. Hmm.

Thanks for the help

I have the Sigma 70-200 with a 2x magnifier on it. I love it and think it takes great pictures. I have seen it be a tad soft with the 2x on it...but that's generally user error...not the lens. I also use a 20d and am very happy with it (upgraded from a rebel as well)

gluwater

I have heard great things about the Sigma 120-300, but I have not used one myself. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 and have used it with a 2xTC and was not very pleased with the results, it gets pretty soft. 2xTC's generally only work well with fast Primes although I'm sure people will disagree with that. Good luck deciding on lenses.

SDJames

I'm being very picky and methodical choosing lenses, bear with me...
If the Sigma is $2100+ it seems that I would be better off with these two lenses for the same price:
-Canon 70-200 f2.8L USM
-Canon 300 f4L IS USM
I won't get the 2.8 at 300mm, but I like the L glass! Will I miss the stop difference?
It will be an improvement over my 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM.

Jeffro

SDJames wrote:

I'm being very picky and methodical choosing lenses, bear with me...
If the Sigma is $2100+ it seems that I would be better off with these two lenses for the same price:
-Canon 70-200 f2.8L USM
-Canon 300 f4L IS USM
I won't get the 2.8 at 300mm, but I like the L glass! Will I miss the stop difference?
It will be an improvement over my 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM.

Incase you miss my IM get the Canon L glass!! I love mine, wouldn't trade them for the world, only add to them!!:D

Both are top notch, and the 2x tc doesn't hurt them. The 1.4 is better though, when it comes to sharpness, but sometimes you just need the reach. And when I reach into my wallet there isn't 5-grand for HUGE GLASS!:cry

Seefutlung

If you do sports get the 30D. The 20D's raw buffer fills at six frames. The 30D's buffer fills at 13. A significant difference. For sports with field access ... no better lens ever made than the Sigma 120-300 2.8 (period).

Jeffro

I posted these expamles somewhere else......maybe they will help you too


300L F4 plus 2X TC Hand held @ ISO 400 1/640 F8.

And now a crop....


Good luck deciding!