100-400mm alternatives

I'd like to get some opinions on zoom lenses around the 100-400mm range. I'd be using it on a 70D and to compliment a Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS.
The main purpose I'm thinking of is for birds and wildlife when traveling.

My main photographic interest is astrophotography and I have a range of prime (mostly manual) lenses suited to that and I don't see this lens getting a lot of use. Therefore, I don't think I can justify the cost of the 100-400 II and a series one would be a more realistic budget. Are there other lenses (Canon or third party) that I should be considering ?


Steve.

SteveInNZ wrote in post #17695678
I'd like to get some opinions on zoom lenses around the 100-400mm range. I'd be using it on a 70D and to compliment a Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS.
The main purpose I'm thinking of is for birds and wildlife when traveling.

My main photographic interest is astrophotography and I have a range of prime (mostly manual) lenses suited to that and I don't see this lens getting a lot of use. Therefore, I don't think I can justify the cost of the 100-400 II and a series one would be a more realistic budget. Are there other lenses (Canon or third party) that I should be considering ?


Steve.

Heya,

The original 100-400L (MKI) can be had around $850. Quite a good lens still and right up your alley (compact, light, easy to travel with).

Alternatives, in that range:

100-400 F5.6L - Pretty and decently sharp, flexible zoom, a classic.
400 F5.6L - Fast and sharp. A classic. Prime.
300 F4L (non-IS or with IS), with a 1.4x TC as tag along - Fast, sharp, also a classic "flexible" setup. Prime.
Tamron 150-600 VC - Inexpensive maximum reach with stabilization.
Sigma 150-600 OS - Inexpensive maximum reach with stabilization (and more modes).

Very best,

You can still get the 50-500 and 150-500 from Sigma, both are cheaper than their current 150-600 lens.

The tamron 150-600 is on sale at the moment for 779 AR. If you really want reach for wildlifes on a car based vacation, it's probably a great option.

http://slickdeals.net …ree-shipping-after-rebate

That Tamron on the crop 70D will give you terrific reach

Just remember that the Tamron 150-600 VC system doesn't have a panning mode, and actually degrades image quality severly if you try to use it at shutter speeds under about 1/1000s. If you might ever need to pan at slower shutter speeds this is really important. This applies throughout the zoom range, not just at the long end. The shorter Tamron zooms up to 300mm have an auto sensing system on the VC so don't need a specific panning mode.

The Sigma 150-600C has a panning mode for it's OS system, as well as all the extra setting up you can do with the USB Dock. Here in the UK the price difference between the Sigma and Tamron is only about £100 so not too huge. All three 150-600's are quite close optically to the 100-400 MkI, and the Sigma 150-500 & 50-500 are a bit behind them. The older Tamron 200-500 was not too well regarded in comparison. There is also a Sigma 120(I think)-400 too.

Alan

Thanks for the answers.
My instinct tells me that 600mm is probably too long to be of much practical use and wouldn't justify the weight. But I'm mostly basing that on a few trips to the zoo and bird sanctuaries with a very old Sigma 500mm f/4.5. Thinking of the places that I'd likely to use it and the 70D, I'm probably better looking at optical speed and IS, rather than more focal length. Small and sharp being better than big and blurry.
Does that make sense ?

How does the 100-400mm Mk1 IS compare to the newer third party lenses ?

Steve.

Sigma outlet store is selling refurbished Bigma (50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG RF HSM) for $399 right now.
No IS but that's a pretty ridiculous price for that lens.
http://www.sigmaphoto.​com …-ex-dg-rf-hsm-refurbished

wyntastr wrote in post #17696603
Sigma outlet store is selling refurbished Bigma (50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG RF HSM) for $399 right now.
No IS but that's a pretty ridiculous price for that lens.
http://www.sigmaphoto.​com …-ex-dg-rf-hsm-refurbished

Wow, this is a great deal. And free ground shipping.
I'd jump on this except I bought the Sigma 150-600 C.

BigAl007 wrote in post #17696238
Just remember that the Tamron 150-600 VC system doesn't have a panning mode, and actually degrades image quality severly if you try to use it at shutter speeds under about 1/1000s. If you might ever need to pan at slower shutter speeds this is really important. This applies throughout the zoom range, not just at the long end.

Here's one person who could get the Tammy to work...

https://www.flickr.com​/photos/wallyllama/

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #17696657
Here's one person who could get the Tammy to work...

https://www.flickr.com​/photos/wallyllama/

But with VC turned OFF.... Even more impressive panning on his part!!

BigAl007 wrote in post #17696238
Just remember that the Tamron 150-600 VC system doesn't have a panning mode,

This was an issue before Tamron released the firmware upgrade to improve panning performance. Sure, it still does not have a separate panning mode, but it performs fine while panning if the firmware is current. I had the upgrade done, and it really makes a difference.

graham121 wrote in post #17696737
But with VC turned OFF.... Even more impressive panning on his part!!

There is no IS 2 panning mode as on Canon lenses. So to leave VC on results in worst images.
But you're right, his panning is impressive.

Sadly, I'm with BigAL007. I had the Tammy and just could not get it to work for panning aircraft.

I just ordered the Sigma 150-600 C. Let's see how that works out.

pknight wrote in post #17697248
This was an issue before Tamron released the firmware upgrade to improve panning performance. Sure, it still does not have a separate panning mode, but it performs fine while panning if the firmware is current. I had the upgrade done, and it really makes a difference.

This is interesting. I don't know what firmware version my Tammy had, but I bought it in the spring of 2014.
Gee, if the firmware makes a difference, I'd like give the lens another try.

I would think that just about any Tammy you buy now would have the update. I bought mine last year in November I think and it does need the upgrade. Still, does panning well enough that I'm not going to send it in until bird season is over. Upgrade is free, I think you have to pay shipping one way. For 800.00 bucks on sale, kinda hard to beat.