canon 100 400mm / sigma 80 400???

[daviddr805]

I am planing to buy one of this lenses: the canon 100 - 400mm or the sigma 80-400mm money is not an issue .. what should i buy? does some one here has the sigma ??

[CyberDyneSystems]

Canon!

Especially if money is no issue,. but even if it were ,. the difference in price is not enough to justify the Sigma in this case.

Canon's IS is superior and the Sigma lacks Sigma's own HSM focus motor technology,. Sigma SERIOUSLY crippled this design by this choice,. (a choice which has baffled the Sigma fans) ...

The upshot is that the Canon can focus significantly faster. A fast focus motor is an absolute necessity in a lens that covers such a large focal range.

[zach]

I'm renting the Canon for the weekend to make up my mind. I was only able to get out for about 45 min this evening, but first impressions.... WOW! The AF is lighting fast campared to my Tamron. I'll have to post up after the weekend is over!

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

I choose the Sigma 80-400, why ?
It was arround the same price ($100,00 difference).

I use it ALOT on 400mm most of the time even with a 1.4x convertor and most of the time wide open. I read in different reviews that wide open on 400mm the Sigma was beter than the Canon, and to be honest I believed that (and now saw for myself a while ago) Sigma is alway's alot cheaper than Canon so when they are the same price it must be better (well ok lame exusse).

I hate it that it has no HSM but to be honest I don't really miss it, I have learned to use the lens without and most of the time I also don't really need it, even motocross is handled perfectly.

If I have to buy again it would be the Sigma I think, although the white color also attracts me, but when I do a reality check I will buy the Sigma again I love it.

Greetings,
Frank

[Persian-Rice]

If money is no object, then always go with the Canon L.

IMHO, if you are paying over $1000 on a lens, it should perform real well all around. Sigma lacks a really good focus motor, which for a similiar price you can get a Canon L USM, it completely makes it a no brainer for me.

[J.A.F. Doorhof]

it depends the only advantage on the Canon IS the USM.
Remember that for some people USM is VERY important for others not.
For me it's a nice have thing, but sharpness and contrast is WAY more important.
And on sharpness the Sigma wins.

The focus motor is not THAT bad by the way, even with a 2.0x convertor added and the taped contacts it does not hunt in normal weather.
When locked in at AIservo it keeps up with a speeding dirtbike or a running soccerplayer towards me, or even a bird in flight.
So that's why I choose sharpness over USM.

Both lenses are wonderful by the way.

Greetings,
Frank

[KennyG]

If speed of AF is important to you, go with the Canon. The Sigma lacks HSM and that makes it too slow for a lot of applications.

I used the Sigma for a full day at the race circuit and was so disappointed in the terribly slow AF speed and poor contrast. It lacked the snap and punch of the Canon for me.

[daviddr805]

thank you all for your input : )

Like J.A.F. said .. I have read to that the sigma is sharper than canon... I don't do sports ore birds .. I do sunsets an still objects .. once on a wile some bird ... so i wouldn't mind about the speed..

I have read to that canon lenses don't tend to devaluate as with sigma... not that I will sale it .. but it's a point to consider .

Another one I think .. and it applies to both lenses Canon did some upgrades to their image stabilizers on some lenses.. wouldn't the 100 400 have that improvement soon? should i wait?

sigma being a very new lens would it have some improvements soon (slow motor.et) should i wait ??..

this is my gallery .. so you can se what kind o pictures i take... I know its from photozo.. sorry ... If some one mention another page in photozo they get crazy .. hope that doesn't happen here ...

http://www.photozo.com/album/showgallery.php?cat=3977

[Cadwell]

:lol: I think we're adult enough here to admit to the existance of other photography forums... some people are even advanced enough to post on more than one forum! :lol:

I for one, would take Kenny's advice.