Buying a used, Birding/wildlife lens ?

I have a nice Tamron 70-300 VC lens but would like more reach ?? my budget of $700-$800 only means USED..I am looking at Canon 100-400 L IS Ver 1 or Sigma 150-500 OS,,both can be had at or near my limit,,which one would be the best buy...?I am wanting IS,VC,OS so the 400 5.6 is out,, Thanks for your advice.
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Ron

If those are your 2 considerations, I would choose the 100-400 everytime, might be worth snooping for the Tamron 150-600

Leon

Another option is Sigma 120-400. It is cheaper than the other options. I am happy with it, that is, until I get 100-400 MkII!

Sigma 120-400 OS ?? had not thought much about that one??how does it compare ??IQ ,size,weight,,any one use one with feed back??
I will have to look into it ??
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Ron

100-400 L, people are unloading them for the vII now, but it's still a good lens.

At your price range I would've recommended the sigma 150-500, but I wasn't aware of the 120-400's existence and they both seem to be similarly priced.

If you can save up another $100 the canon 100-400 or tamron 150-600 would become viable options as well. I suspect the release of the sigma 150-600 contemporary and sport may put a few used tamrons on the market. If you're lucky enough to know anyone in college, there's a $100 educational rebate on the tamron new as well, bringing it to $960 and you could probably get creative with discounts to lower this price to $900.

the 150-500OS is a good lens, and it's a good bang for the buck if you need reach on the cheap...it can be had below your budget for sure if you're willing to buy used...a new copy right now is only 870...and that would come with a 4 year warranty...i think you'll have to wait quite a bit before the sellers of the 100-400L are going to realize their copies aren't going to be selling for $900+ and have to drop the price...so it'll probably stay out of your budget for a bit

personally i don't see why you'd go for the 120-400OS over the 150-500OS...prices are about the same

Ronnie H wrote in post #17339824
I have a nice Tamron 70-300 VC lens but would like more reach ?? my budget of $700-$800 only means USED..I am looking at Canon 100-400 L IS Ver 1 or Sigma 150-500 OS,,both can be had at or near my limit,,which one would be the best buy...?I am wanting IS,VC,OS so the 400 5.6 is out,, Thanks for your advice.
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Ron

Heya,

You have two options.

(option 1) One, is to go for a fast shorter lens for things that are moving quickly.
(option 2) The other is to go for maximum reach.

So that said, I would pick out what you really need and focus on:

Canon EF 400 F5.6 (option 1)
Canon EF 300 F4 (option 1; this can take a TC)
Sigma 150-500 OS (option 2)
Tamron 150-600 VC (option 2)

Very best,

Thanks for all the replys,,,i think after the 1st of the year Used prices may drop some more,,i have decided the 120-400 is out,,and will watch for a nice Canon 100-400 or Sigma 150-500...the 500 would give me more reach..

Dre Daze..where did you find a new Sigma 150-500 for $870. ?? every placed i looked $899 was the price??I have seen some Sigmas used lately for $575 ??every one wants the new models??

Sad part of this dslr lens thing is my Canon SX50HS takes good pics in good light..and goes to 1200mm,, and a Canon refurb is only $199. right now??
hard decision ??
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Ron

it's $869 at B&H: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_500mm_f_5_6_3_​DG_OS.html

superzooms are ok for static birds...but if anything is moving, then it's not going to work well..also it's more like the sigma needs good light, the superzoom needs great light...although many say the 150-500OS isn't good for moving things, i used mine to observe a few peregrine falcon nests...and i found it to be OK...i've since bought a 120-300f2.8 OS, and with a 2X TC, i'm not sure which one is going to end up being better at tracking in flight shots...we'll see next may

here are some shots from my 150-500OS
https://www.flickr.com …e/sets/72157633​101841754/

Dre Daze...do you find the Sigma 150-500 soft at 500 mm??
Thanks Ron

all lenses are going to be softer at the longer end...i try not to pixel peep, so i rarely post 100% crops, but here's a couple from a while back first is at 500mm, second is at 229mm

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ecBq​5i

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ecH4​49

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/eczY​v4

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ecFB​Au

Another vote from me for a Sigma 150-500, great lens and the best value out there, Had mine for several years before swapping to the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 and 2XTc combo, which is a lot heavier!! No experience of the new Tamron, but can definitely recommend the Sigma 150-500

for birding, especially in flight (hand holdable), for the best IQ, I suggest the OP give serious thought to the EF 400 f5.6L.

primes are the sharpest. every time.

this prime is found in most kits of serious birders, at least the ones that I know.

daleg wrote in post #17341253
for birding, especially in flight (hand holdable), for the best IQ, I suggest the OP give serious thought to the EF 400 f5.6L.

primes are the sharpest. every time.

Hmmm. From what I've been reading the 100-400 MkII may well prove otherwise.