Super Tele

[gyelland]

I was considering a super tele but can not justify buying a canon L lens (which I would love)

I was thinking of a second hand Sigma 600mm f8 fixed mirror
it will be used with a 10D

Anyone have this lens or other thoughts on this issue ?

[Griffin]

gyelland wrote:
I was thinking of a second hand Sigma 600mm f8 fixed mirror
it will be used with a 10D


I don't have any "super" telephoto, yet, but since the Sigma mirror lens was once on my purchase list, there are a number of points I think you should take note at:

1. It is MF only;
2. the aperture is fixed -- i.e. no DoF control;
3. Combining both point (1) and (2), you may have problem getting accurate focusing in less-than-ideal lighting condition;
4. Since it is a Maksutov-Cassegrain lens, bright spots will appear in donut shape, instead of circular spots with conventional lens. If you cannot withstand that, you may want to give it a pass.

If you are looking it for wild-life, this lens could be quite challenging to use, in ways other than using a EF600mm f/4 L IS USM.

My suggestion would be: how about a 300mm f/4 lens with TCs? It is lighter, more portable, easy for storage and handle and it is easier to MF. My 2 cents.


Griffin.

[RichardtheSane]

I would avoid using a mirror lens on the 10 purely because of the reduced image quality - which will be far more noticable when you use the 10d.

[gyelland]

Thanks for the coments,

I need the long reach but very limited cash

so I have decided to go the the Sigma 50-500 EX I will borrow one for a while and see what its like.

Thanks all

Gary

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

Hi,

Why not use a TC on the lens.
I have just bought a Sigma 145-400 APO just for that work.
My main lens is a Sigma 70-210f2.8 APO but even with the 2x extender for some birds this is not enough, with the 800mm (*1.6) it must be enough :D.

Greetings,
Frank

[sjprg]

Might want to look into "digiscopeing" do a search on goggle. All kind of stuff out there. Kowa spotting scopes have an EOS adapter now. Some of the bird images at 3000mm are very good. Not "L" quality but not $12,000 either for a 600mm.