Sigma Zoom Telephoto 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens

I need your opinion on this lens, please. Has anyone used this on a 10D? I'm sure mixed up on all the threads on different lens. I read Horror threads on people having to send the Canon 100-400L back to Canon for repairs, and I read bad reports on the Canon 75-300 lens. If I bought the 75-300, then I can use all my filters, and the Canon 250D, 500D closeup lens that I now use on my Pro90 IS.I just don't know what to really buy when I get my 10D. I'm retired out of the Navy, so money is kind of slow to save up. I just take pictures as a hobby. I don't plan on being a PRO, although I was a PRO using Film Cameras of all formats for over 20 years.
Rocky

Hi Rocky,

I have no experience with the lens, but at http://www.photozone.d​e/bindex2.html you find a rather detailed lens database comparing different optical aspects of various lenses for the Canon Eos system. Search for Teles -500 mm.

On the same site, http://www.photozone.d​e, you'll also find a link to an 'upgraded lens test guide' where all the lenses are rated with a single mark. In this database, the 135-400 ranks with (2.86 = average) a little better than the 75-300 (2.62 = sub-average) but considerable below the 100-400 IS (3.94 = very-good)

Hope that helps you

Best regards,
Andy

Rocky,. it's "poop"

This from a Sigma lover!

It is an old design that dates back from before Sigma had "EX" lenses.. althogh it is a price bargain... it does not compare to the quality of there more current designs.

Unfortunately,. I can understand that it is a hard lens to ignore given it's price.

So lets look at it another way. You will get better, clearer images with that lens on a Drebel than you were able to using your pro90IS and all those t-cons!

But the old style auto focus motor will hamper your ability to use the lens for fast moving subjects.. like birds in flight.

For not a whole lot more money,. you could look at either the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM and also get a 1.4X t-con

...or the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM and a 2X t-con

Both would be great lenses on there own,. but still get you out to the 400mm neighborhood with the t-con and still offer much faster "HSM" AF.

andythaler wrote:
Hi Rocky,

I have no experience with the lens, but at http://www.photozone.d​e/bindex2.html you find a rather detailed lens database comparing different optical aspects of various lenses for the Canon Eos system. Search for Teles -500 mm.

On the same site, http://www.photozone.d​e, you'll also find a link to an 'upgraded lens test guide' where all the lenses are rated with a single mark. In this database, the 135-400 ranks with (2.86 = average) a little better than the 75-300 (2.62 = sub-average) but considerable below the 100-400 IS (3.94 = very-good)

Hope that helps you

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks, Andy. I don't have my 10D yet, but I want to be ready when I get it.
Rocky

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Rocky,. it's "poop"

This from a Sigma lover!

It is an old design that dates back from before Sigma had "EX" lenses.. althogh it is a price bargain... it does not compare to the quality of there more current designs.

Unfortunately,. I can understand that it is a hard lens to ignore given it's price.

So lets look at it another way. You will get better, clearer images with that lens on a Drebel than you were able to using your pro90IS and all those t-cons!

But the old style auto focus motor will hamper your ability to use the lens for fast moving subjects.. like birds in flight.

For not a whole lot more money,. you could look at either the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM and also get a 1.4X t-con

...or the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM and a 2X t-con

Both would be great lenses on there own,. but still get you out to the 400mm neighborhood with the t-con and still offer much faster "HSM" AF.

Thanks, CDS. I guess my Gater has Crawled the Coop. I haven't seen it in almost a month now. I'll look into those 2 Lens you suggested.
Rocky

OOps, I've got one coming cheap from an english website. However as I am not too bothered about slow autofocus wishing only to use it for fairly static wild life shots from a hide it should not be too much of a drawback, I hope!!

Hi Rocky, I just bought this lens myself, and use it with my 10D with no problems that I've seen.
I did the research online first, and noted it had a pretty good rating on photographyreview dot com. It seems that someone here(I think) posted a link to his concert photos using this lens, and the results seemed quite impressive, causing me to research this lens further. I wish I could remember who it was, as was, as or where the link is.
.........Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. Where did you get it from. Maybe B&H sells them. I'll have to check. I do most of my ordering from them. In fact, I ordered 2 more Lens from them this morning.
Rocky.

Rocky, I bought mine locally from a camera store. B&H is a very good source though, I've used them before with good results and fast delivery.
...........Bruce