Zoom Zoom! I need it

[AzzKicker]

I have 1,000$ to spend. What are my options as far as Zoom lenses go.


I want it for Wildlife and Sports. Usually my wildlife subjects are no more than 100yrds away.


I'm looking at either Canon "L" Glass or Sigma EX.

I think I should be fine with a 100-300 range and a 2x tc.


I searched the forum a bit and the recommended lenses seem to be the:

1.)Sigma Zoom Telephoto 170-500mm f/5-6.3 APO -$649.00
2.)Sigma Zoom Telephoto 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM -$989.00
3.)Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS -$1299.00

I'm also considering PRIMES:

I know there are 300mm and 400mm primes by CANON?

I'm even considering this combo:

1.)Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L -$1059.00
2.)Canon 2x II Extender EF - Autofocus -$279.00



Can anyone help me out here in these trying times :) Before I change my mind and decide not to spend a 1,000.00

[AzzKicker]

Or would the 70-200 f/4 with 2x tc be a more bang for the buck solution?

[robertwgross]

I want it for Wildlife and Sports. Usually my wildlife subjects are no more than 100yrds away.


Define "wildlife". A completely different lens would be right for an African elephant as compared to a lens for the least chipmunk. Some people here have a good idea about a bird lens and others have a good idea about a deer lens. Some animals are so shy that you'll do good to get within 100 yards. It does make a difference.

Define "sports". The same principle applies. There are people here who specialize in American football, others in soccer, boating, etc.

Be as specific as you can, and the suggestions are likely to be better.

---Bob Gross---

[blinking8s]

Or would the 70-200 f/4 with 2x tc be a more bang for the buck solution?

sounds awesome to me, but if i had $1000 i would hold out and get $150 more and get the f2.8...although the f4 is much lighter, some might prefer it if they are on the move a lot...

the 70-200 f4 will be my next purchase

[AzzKicker]

WildLife would be like Coyotes, Deer, Bobcats. Maybe some horses or cows etc. Your medium sized mamals.

I'm not too big on birds at the moment.


Sports would Baseball. I usually sit in front row by First Baseman

[robertwgross]

WildLife would be like Coyotes, Deer, Bobcats. Maybe some horses or cows etc. Your medium sized mamals.


Yes, we would call that medium sized wildlife. Currently, my medium wildlife lens is my new Canon 100-400mmL lens. However, I've also used a 170-500mm Sigma. When I have no time to prepare for bobcats or deer, I shoot a simple Canon 28-200mm.


I'm not too big on birds at the moment.


OK. Birds generally require a much longer lens, and they are typically moving faster, which dictates faster shutter speeds, which often dictates faster lenses.


Sports would Baseball. I usually sit in front row by First Baseman

Fast action with that camera will fill up your buffer quickly, but you are asking about lenses. Just about like shooting medium sized wildlife, as long as it is a daytime game. Nighttime will get tricky.

Let's see what anybody else has to say.

---Bob Gross---

[NickC]

WildLife would be like Coyotes, Deer, Bobcats. Maybe some horses or cows etc. Your medium sized mamals.

I'm not too big on birds at the moment.

OK, sorry about these birds but they're about as big as a small bobcat, maybe bigger. ;) This is what you get at 400mm at a distance of 175 feet. Full frame, no cropping. Hope it helps you determine what you need.

http://www.deaddogparty.com/airshows/moffett2001/400mm175ft.jpg

[Andy_T]

I'm even considering this combo:

1.)Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L -$1059.00
2.)Canon 2x II Extender EF - Autofocus -$279.00



The general opinion here seems to be that the 1.4x TC is fine, but the 2x TC visibly deteriorates the image quality. So normally the 2x TC is not exactly endorsed.

Also, the 2x TC won't autofocus on the 70-200/f4 on the 10D, because the min aperture will be higher than 5.6. So you'll end up with a MF lens.

If you're not afraid to carry a heavy lens, the Sigma 100-300/f4 will give you a tack sharp 400 mm with the 1.4x TC (on that lens, I've heard that the Sigma TC will work better).

But then, the 100-400 IS might be the better choice.

Best regards,
Andy

[chris.bailey]

I would say that you should join the 100-400 club but try and get to use one before you buy, the push pull zoom is not to everyones taste.

[Tom W]

WildLife would be like Coyotes, Deer, Bobcats. Maybe some horses or cows etc. Your medium sized mamals.

I'm not too big on birds at the moment.


Sports would Baseball. I usually sit in front row by First Baseman

I see two different directions here - You said that you will be shooting these animals at somewhere around 100 yards - the 100-400L would be ideal for that. On the other hand, baseball and particularly baseball under artificial lighting will likely require a very fast lens such as the 70-200/f2.8.

I don't have a 2.0X Teleconverter, but I read quite a bit saying that it diminishes the image quality a bit. I don't know how much, though. But I have used the 1.4X Sigma and it works very well with my Sigma 70-200/2.8. I can also use it with the 100-400, though I lose autofocus.

Anyway, you might consider a 70-200/2.8 and a 1.4X teleconverter as an alternative. It may be a little shorter on the long end than you could use, but it will work real well at the stadium.

[Andy_T]

Or the Sigma 120-300/2.8 with the TC ... but that would be more than 1,000 $

So ... how much are you really willing to spend :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[karusel]

What about Sigma 80-400 EX?

[AzzKicker]

The more I think about it, the more I want the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens with a 1.4x TC.

This will at least let me purchase a 24-70 f/2.8 as well.

[Tom W]

The more I think about it, the more I want the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens with a 1.4x TC.

This will at least let me purchase a 24-70 f/2.8 as well.

That's the combination I have. I got the 70-200/2.8 used, and had a more recent opportunity to buy the Sigma 1.4TC from another respected forum member. They are very good together, and my copy of the 70-200 is very good. I haven't compared it directly to the Canon lens of the same size, but everything I hear says that if you have a good copy of the Sigma, it is a pretty close second in performance to the 70-200 Canons.

[AzzKicker]

OK I did it. I purchased the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8.

the TC I will find used somewhere.