Lens purchase opinions needed - undecided

[cocodel1st]

Folks I know this has been a frequented subject :o but I have checked some reviews on the lenses I am looking at for comparison and still am undecided.

Please give me some feedback. I will use the lens I select on my Canon D20 for wildlife photography.

1. Sigma 70-200 2.8
2. Sigma 80-400 4.5-5.6
3. Sigma 100-300 4.0
or
4. Tamron 200-500 5-6.3

Extenders: 1. Sigma EX 1.4 or Tamron SP 1.4 (I was told that the Sigma extender is quoted to work well with the 1 & 3) Not sure if the extenders will work for the 2. and 4. lenses because of the f stops.

[minatophase3]

Folks I know this has been a frequented subject :o but I have checked some reviews on the lenses I am looking at for comparison and still am undecided.

Please give me some feedback. I will use the lens I select on my Canon D20 for wildlife photography.

1. Sigma 70-200 2.8
2. Sigma 80-400 4.5-5.6
3. Sigma 100-300 4.0
or
4. Tamron 200-500 5-6.3

Extenders: 1. Sigma EX 1.4 or Tamron SP 1.4 (I was told that the Sigma extender is quoted to work well with the 1 & 3) Not sure if the extenders will work for the 2. and 4. lenses because of the f stops.

The only lens I am qualified to give an opion on is the Sigma 100-300 f4. I looked at the 80-400 and Tamron 200-500 and almost bought the Tamron, but ended up with the Sigma 100-300. I bought it primarily for zoo shots as well as some sports. I also bought the Sigma 1.4tc. I must say that I am very happy with my purchase, the lens is very solid and quite sharp. I am so happy with it that I just sold my Canon 70-200 f4 L lens. I did a side by side comparison and they were equally sharp, but the Canon seemed to have a slightly warmer image and blurred the background just a little better, but I would have a hard time telling the pictures apart if I didn't know which lens they were from.

With the 100-300 f4 and 1.4tc you will cover a lot of range, actually getting you to 420mm at 5.6 which is pretty good. While heavy it is still hand holdable for a while.

If you really need 500mm then the Tamron looks to be a good option, but I would vote for the Sigma 100-300.

Tim

[cocodel1st]

Thank You for your input. Back in my film camera days, I shot with the EOS3 and a 50-500 Sigma lens which was pretty heavy and had no stop to prevent the lens from sliding as I carried the camera slide. The colors were good and the clarity was ok for a cheaper lens. I also owned the 28-300 Tamron, for family snap shots great but for the bears at dusk or down it did not give me enough magnification and even with the 1.4 was not a clear as the Sigma (obviously, the less you put on the camera....)

Please keep opinions coming....

[jbradc]

The tamron is too slow for wildlfe photography and the Sigma 80-400 is too slow on the long end. So that leaves the 70-200 or the 100-300, both have great reviews.

[minatophase3]

In case you are interested, here are some of the shots I got using the 100-300 and 1.4tc for the first time. This was with my D60.

http://www.nationphotography.com/images/clients/zoo2/index.htm

Tim

[Mogwyth]

The tamron is too slow for wildlfe photography and the Sigma 80-400 is too slow on the long end. So that leaves the 70-200 or the 100-300, both have great reviews.

70-200 even with a 1.4 TC I find is still a bit on the short side, so that leaves the 100-300 with a TC.

[cocodel1st]

Thank You All. I believe I will go with th 100-300 Sigma at this time and get the 1.4 EX with it. Tim those are some really great images. JBRACD I looked at your galleries, good work.

[Cadwell]

:lol: That little Sigma 100-300 f/4 EX has become popular round here all of a sudden. I've used one, it's a fantastic lens. I don't think you'll regret getting it. Optically it is the best of the four you have listed.

[minatophase3]

Thank You All. I believe I will go with th 100-300 Sigma at this time and get the 1.4 EX with it. Tim those are some really great images. JBRACD I looked at your galleries, good work.

Thanks for the compliments. I don't know where you plan to order yours, but I got mine from Delta International (http://www.deltainternational.com/store/Item_SGL100%2D300C.htm) it was the best price I could fine from a reputable retailer. I also got the 1.4tc there for $150.

Good luck with your purchase, you are going to love this lens.

Tim

[RJSorensen]

By my experience . . . go for the longest lens you can get. One can always 'back off' but there is no 'extender' switch, lol. Also if you are buying to add an extender, just buy longer . . .

[CyberDyneSystems]

....So that leaves the 70-200 or the 100-300, both have great reviews.


I concur with these recomendations,...

No one takes that Tamron seriously,. and the Sigma 80-400mm is hampered by a slow focus motor as compared to the tow listed above.

the 100-300mm f/4 is a great lens, and will give you full autofocus when used with a 1.4X t-con.

[cocodel1st]

By next week I should have it. YAHOOOOO

Feel like a kid in candyland.....