Sigma 300mm f2.8 EX APO HSM or Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM?

[garethhhhh]

I'm considering buying a 300mm lens to do some sports shooting, football (soccer), rugby and maybe some motor racing on the side. I'm not too concered about the last one right now, but I might consider it a possiblity in the future.
I will be using my 10D (can't affort a 1D or MkII :( ) along with a suitable monopod (yet to decide which one) & will most probably need to use it in all sorts of conditions from daylight to low light.

I have seen some rave reviews & some great shots taken with the Canon:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29165
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29217
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30800
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29660

Ideally, I would go for the Canon but, funds being what they are, I am considering the Sigma.

My main concerns are:
- Image stabilization
I will be using a monopod anyway, so does it matter that the Sigma doesn't have it?
- Sharpness
The Canon is incredibly sharp. How does the Sigma shape up?
- Speed of Auto Focus
I've read a few reviews of the Sigma at FM and a couple of people said that the AF was slower than the Canon. Is it much slower / barely noticeable and will it be adequate for what I intend to use it for?
- Colours & Contrast
In the same review someone mentioned that the contrast wasn't as good as the Canon. Your thoughts?
- Teleconverters
How does image quality compare when these lenses are fitted with TC's?

Also: I was under the impression that the lens looked like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/171108.jpg (Looks OK doesn't it?)

However, this is a picture of the Canon version being shown at Amazon.com:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000501QO.01-A1PY46IM1CBEG3.MZZZZZZZ.jpg (Butt ugly IMHO. no?)

I have KennyG quoted as saying that the Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM is "The Swiss Army Knife of lenses".
So my final question is: What sort of knife is the Sigma? :D

[GenEOS]

If you are stepping up to plate, don't settle for a triple...hit the homer.

Buy the Canon 300L f2.8 IS

I have shot this lens with the 10D and it is awesome.

I shot it with a monopod with IS on and off. It worked both ways. Some say the IS doesn't work with a monopod but it did just fine.

The focus preset function on the lens is really cool, especially for sports like baseball.

What kind of knife? If the Canon is a Swiss Army Knife, the sigma is a knock-off version of the same knife.

My 2 pennies worth.

[Haifidelity]

Get the canon for USM and IS alone.

I'm not 100% positive, but if you use a monopod, you can put the IS in Mode2 for panning shots (as if it was on a tripod).

-hza

[KennyG]

My main concerns are:
- Image stabilization
I will be using a monopod anyway, so does it matter that the Sigma doesn't have it?

Yes, big lenses tend to vibrate more, even on a monopod, especially on windy days. My recent tests have proven, to me at least, that IS is a must-have, even on a monopod. This applies only to the latest generation IS that is 'tripod aware'.


- Sharpness
The Canon is incredibly sharp. How does the Sigma shape up?

The Sigma is sort of OK from what I have seen, but the Canon 300 is supposed to be their sharpest big prime and I can believe it. It is sharper than my 500 F4L IS


- Speed of Auto Focus
I've read a few reviews of the Sigma at FM and a couple of people said that the AF was slower than the Canon. Is it much slower / barely noticeable and will it be adequate for what I intend to use it for?

This particular Canon lens is the fastest focussing lens they make, period. It is very important for any sports lens to focus as quickly as possible. With all respect to Sigma, none of their big lenses match the Canon's in this respect.


- Colours & Contrast
In the same review someone mentioned that the contrast wasn't as good as the Canon. Your thoughts?

What I have seen from the Sigma leads me to believe the Canon is better.


- Teleconverters
How does image quality compare when these lenses are fitted with TC's?

The 300, 400, 500 and 600 IS series lenses were designed from the ground up to have a TC in their light path and as such degrade less than other lenses with a TC. I shoot regularly with a x2 TC and you would be very hard pushed to realise it was in line.

I have KennyG quoted as saying that the Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM is "The Swiss Army Knife of lenses".
So my final question is: What sort of knife is the Sigma? :D

The Sigma does not have all the nice gadgets of the Swiss Army Knife :D You can't uncork your bottle of wine or remove boy scouts from horse's hooves.

[MarkH]

Both lenses cost a lot of money. My view on the Sigma is that it is a lot of money to spend on the 2nd best. Will the Sigma work on the new Canon D-SLR body that you buy in a few years time?

I wouldn't spend that much on the Sigma. Even though the Canon is much dearer, I would be willing to spend my money on the Canon if I had that much money I could spare.

The Sigma lacks the IS, that alone would put me off.

The Canon has IS, USM, Flourite, UD Glass, a much better chance of working OK on the next body you buy.

Hell, the Sigma isn't even white!

[Tom W]

Frankly, I'd consider the Canon 300 f/4.0 IS - but that's more in line with my overstressed budget.

[IanD]

- Teleconverters
How does image quality compare when these lenses are fitted with TC's?

The 300, 400, 500 and 600 IS series lenses were designed from the ground up to have a TC in their light path and as such degrade less than other lenses with a TC. I shoot regularly with a x2 TC and you would be very hard pushed to realise it was in line
Kenny,
Can the same be said about the 300 F4? The 2.8 is out of my reach and was thinking about the 300 F4.
Ian

[Tom W]

- Teleconverters
How does image quality compare when these lenses are fitted with TC's?

The 300, 400, 500 and 600 IS series lenses were designed from the ground up to have a TC in their light path and as such degrade less than other lenses with a TC. I shoot regularly with a x2 TC and you would be very hard pushed to realise it was in line
Kenny,
Can the same be said about the 300 F4? The 2.8 is out of my reach and was thinking about the 300 F4.
Ian

HEY!!!! That's my lens! I want the 300/4. :)

[IanD]

- Teleconverters
How does image quality compare when these lenses are fitted with TC's?

The 300, 400, 500 and 600 IS series lenses were designed from the ground up to have a TC in their light path and as such degrade less than other lenses with a TC. I shoot regularly with a x2 TC and you would be very hard pushed to realise it was in line
Kenny,
Can the same be said about the 300 F4? The 2.8 is out of my reach and was thinking about the 300 F4.
Ian

HEY!!!! That's my lens! I want the 300/4. :)
Wanna share :?: :?:

[Tom W]

HEY!!!! That's my lens! I want the 300/4. :)
Wanna share :?: :?:

I just realized that I've been aflicted with "L" fever. This may not be good.

You take the lens - I must resist....

[CyberDyneSystems]

Gareth,...

The Amazon lens is one of the OLD Sigmas,. and ou don't want to touch that one with a ten foot pole!!!!!!!

The BH is the Current EX (the Amazon is before there was an "EX")

I have the EX 500mm f/4.5 and love it.. I would say it compares favorably wiht the Canon 500mm f/4.5 (discontinued.. no IS)

But.. in the case of the 300mm... the Canon is a HUGE improvement...

I'd grab the Sigma if I could find one used for under $1,500.00.. but I don't think I'll get one new (I have thought about it seriously)

[Cadwell]

I just realized that I've been aflicted with "L" fever. This may not be good.

You take the lens - I must resist....


Resistance is futile!

[garethhhhh]

Hmmm....

I though as much.

Thanks for the answers guys, I really appreciate your views. :D
I guess I'll just have to revert back to a diet of bread and water for the next two \ three months :(
(I refuse to buy something until I have all the money saved up for it... Credit Cards are EVIL!!!)

[lime]

Here's another vote for the Canon 2.8 IS.
This picture was taken w/ a 10D 300mm+Canon 2x+1.4x, stacked f5.6 & w/ AF! I don't know if AF still works w/ the sigma stacked.
North Shore Hawaii
http://www.pbase.com/image/27940749.jpg