100-400 and alternatives for animals

Folks,
I wanted to understand what are the best (not crazy budget) options for bears, birds and wild live in general.

I know that people discuss 100-400 a lot and I see it costs reasonable money (1500+ USD). What are the other options? I also consider third parties...as always, sharpness and IQ is the most important thing.

THANKS!

Sigma 150-500 or the 50-500 OS version, both comparable to the Canon 100-400 and the 150-500 is a a good bit cheaper. I had the 150-500 for three years and it has an awesome OS system, this is a crop from a handheld shot 1/160 f8 at 1600 ISO at 500mm

If you need a zoom, a Sigma 120-300 f2,8 OS would also be pretty useful especially with a 1.4x and 2.0x in your pocket. A lightly used non-OS version could be a good option. I think the 100-400L is quite widely used though and can deliver very decent images.

thanks, guys....IQ wise, how these lenses are different from 300 f/2.8? It is a massive difference in quality or just a matter or shallower DoF?

Why ?
You had the 70-200 2.8 II
use the canon extender 2x III
and say bye bye to all the zooms

moltengold wrote in post #14873646
Why ?
You had the 70-200 2.8 II
use the canon extender 2x III
and say bye bye to all the zooms

You think it is a good choice?

moltengold wrote in post #14873646
Why ?
You had the 70-200 2.8 II
use the canon extender 2x III
and say bye bye to all the zooms

This is what I read:

I don't use extenders a big percentage of the time, but I often have a 1.4x with me. The Canon EF 2x III Extender does not go with me nearly as frequently, but I occasionally take it along too. The Canon EF 2x III Extender significantly extends the reach of your sharp, compatible Canon lenses for a relatively low size, weight, and financial cost - but it comes with an image quality penalty.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …der-EF-2x-III-Review.aspx

You probably wouldn't even notice you had a 1.4x on the 70-200 in terms of image quality or focusing speed, the 2.0x might slow things down a bit.

Yes
i made the test in the canon shop
and the result is very good
why spending money for other zooms
and your 5D3 helps more than the crop
it had better images

artyman wrote in post #14873600
Sigma 150-500 or the 50-500 OS version, both comparable to the Canon 100-400 and the 150-500 is a a good bit cheaper. I had the 150-500 for three years and it has an awesome OS system, this is a crop from a handheld shot 1/160 f8 at 1600 ISO at 500mm

comparable but yet maybe not so comparable

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=4​&APIComp=0

watt100 wrote in post #14873760
comparable but yet maybe not so comparable

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=4​&APIComp=0

shocking difference.........no go to Sigma

I'm in the same boat, been thinking of getting into wildlife, contemplating the 100-400 or a 300 f/4 or 400 f/5.6. I have the TC 1.4 so I'm leaning toward the 300. But rumors of a new 100-400 have me holding out.

watt100 wrote in post #14873760
comparable but yet maybe not so comparable

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=4​&APIComp=0

light_pilgrim wrote in post #14873986
shocking difference.........no go to Sigma

One copy of each. I do not believe they got a good copy of the Sigma. Some of the older copies of 150-500 are not good, my guess was that is from one of them.

Even so, the Canon is a little sharper. IMO that example 150-500 example at digital-picture is not a good one.

I agonized about this choice after dumping my 70-300. Long story short, I went with the 100-400L. IQ at 400mm wide open is very good. Smaller and lighter than the Σ120-400, its closest competitor, but 50% more expensive. Same price as the Σ50-500 and a bunch smaller. The 100-400L is the best I could find for the money I was willing to spend.

Check out this thread to see how people voted on the best wildlife lens:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=59931

out of 15 options, the 100-400mm took over 50% of the votes (people couple pick multiple lenses though). It's by far the best "generic" wildlife lens for most people, if you can afford it. It is better than the sigmas. If you want versatility, and are doing wildlife, this is the lens.

You can go with the sigmas, but they are bigger and don't give as good quality. Spend a lot of time reading comparisons and reviews and you will see it. You can go with a prime, or the 300mm but bottom like the 100-400mm will produce the best pictures. It's totally worth the price. Only down side is that a new one could be coming out sometime soon.