Canon 100-400mm Lens

[Deillub]

I have the Canon 50D camera .. with a Tamron 18-200mm lens.
I would love to be able to get pictures of those skittish birds from a distance or in flight ... but find my current lens is just not up to it.
I can't afford multiple lenses and therefore I'm very conscious of getting value for the buck.
My question is ... what do you experts think about the:
Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5,6L IS SM EF Lens

Are there other lenses out there that are compatable or would I get results using a teleconverter (which I know nothing about) ??

[katodog]

If the only lens you are considering is the 100-400mm, then you made a fine choice. It's an excellent lens for a lot of subjects, not just birds. However, if you're leaving yourself open for suggestions, I'd recommend the Sigma 150-500mm OS. The Sig is heavier, but otherwise it's pretty much the same as the Canon only longer reaching. The IQ difference is pretty small, and after processing the difference is gone. The stabilization on the Sig is a dream, and I've heard people say it might be better than the Canon IS. I don't know if that's the case because I used the 100-400mm and the IS was great.

But, you're going to find, like we all did, that for birding you are always going to want more reach. Adding a TC is an option, but with any lens, no matter what it is, you're going to lose some image quality. Otherwise, you're looking at primes, and that's gonna cost you. Go for the lens that goes the longest for the least amount of money, and still gets you excellent IQ. Look through the archive for the Sig and you'll see plenty of excellent shots from the lens.


And since you say you're conscious of getting the best bang for buck, I'd say the Sig over the Canon, because it's got longer reach, almost identical IQ, and is a lot cheaper.

[SuzyView]

I opted for the 100-400 after seeing some shots in the Sports forum. I have 2 soccer boys, and they are in bigger fields now. The 70-200 wasn't getting to them. It was a good choice for me. I love that lens. If you want something not too expensive and very sharp, the 100-400 is well worth it.

[Deillub]

Thanks everyone ... the Sigma 150-500mm option sounds like a good choice, and from waht others have told me it appears to have a good reputation.
Anyone else wish to comment on this suggested choice?

[Skonk]

Isn't the sigma a bit slower on focussing?

I own the 100-400mm and iv very happy with it but I seem to remember watching a video of someone demoing the sigma's AF and it appeared to be quite slow.

I may be mixing it up with another sigma lens though.

James.

[Tom Reichner]

Thanks everyone ... the Sigma 150-500mm option sounds like a good choice, and from waht others have told me it appears to have a good reputation.
Anyone else wish to comment on this suggested choice?
Read the reviews on the B&H website. It appears that alot of folks are very happy with the Sigma. I, personally, was not happy with it, and after shooting thousands of frames with it over 10 days I opted to send it back to B&H for a full refund.

As far as sharpness goes, the 400 5.6 prime is simply sharper than the 100-400 zoom. If you are extremely picky about IQ / sharpness / clarity you might want to go with a prime lens rather than a zoom.

[JuliusUpNorth]

I also have the 100-400, and it stays on my camera 90% of the time, it seems. Photos taken with it sell...

[TheDA]

The Canon 100-400 is a fantastic general use wildlife lens.

[Tom Reichner]

The Canon 100-400 is a fantastic general use wildlife lens.
If only it were as sharp and clear as Canon's "big" lenses - the 300 f2.8, the 400 f2.8, the 500 f4, the 600 f4, and the new 800 f5.6

Unfortunately, the 100-400 isn't even close in terms of IQ

[Skonk]

If only it were as sharp and clear as Canon's "big" lenses - the 300 f2.8, the 400 f2.8, the 500 f4, the 600 f4, and the new 800 f5.6

Unfortunately, the 100-400 isn't even close in terms of IQ

But fortunately is isn't even close... in terms of price.

[matonanjin]

You might want to glance at this?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=677555

[gh patriot]

But fortunately is isn't even close... in terms of price.


+1 WOW