Telephoto Zoom for D60

Dave,

yes, no tripod mount, but the lens is light enough not to need one. (I know, I would prefer one to come with the lens, too, but it really isn't as much of a problem as you'd think. You can always buy the 300 f/4 L and use the collar from that - they're the same size! ).

Regarding autofocus, any aperture smaller than f/5.6 and you lose autofocus, unless shooting with the EOS 1V or the EOS 3 with only the centre focusing spot selected, then you can go to f/8.

There is also a trick where you can tape over three contact points on the camera, so the lens doesn't report that a smaller aperture than f/5.6 is being used. Since the camera doesn't know, it will still try (and usually succeed) to autofocus.

Rudi, Delta has the Sig 70-200 2.8 for $581 bucks. This lens and the f4 L were rated real close with the L winning out by a bit. Probably a little sharper...

Gonna be a tough choice... I would really like something in the xxx-300 range for small critter shooting...

Too many choices... oh yeah... A 300 f4 L... that was a good one... ahahahaha...

Dave,

at that price, the thing that would decide it for *me* would be ergonomics. I'm almost positive that the Canon lens would be easier to use (FTM focusing for one thing, and much lighter). If you *need* (or want ) the f/2.8, then you either go with the Sigma, or look for a second-hand Canon (I'd look for the Canon, or save up a little longer).

Look - I have a Sigma 135-400 APO lens. It's great! Sharp, great zoom range, a little heavy and slower focusing, but the optics are great! Guess what? It's for sale! I just don't use it... I will reach for the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L or the 300 f/4 L before the Sigma, even if I have to use the 1.4x Extender to get the focal length out of it that I need. It's sad! ... The Sigma is only four months old, but I bought a two-year-old second-hand Canon 300 f/4 L (that did *a lot* of work, but was well taken care of) because I did not like using the Sigma. Sometimes it's not just the optics! (Of course, the Canon lenses are brilliant optically as well. If the Sigma was brilliant optically, and the Canon lenses weren't then I might still be using it, but all else being equal, the choice *for me* was clear...).

I've being trying to find a supplier in the UK for the Tokina 100-300mm ? (Jessops do the Sigma 50-500mm - at £770 ... gulp!).

I can find a number of retailers who deal with other Tokina lenses, but not this one. Anybody know of someone ?

Should I be worried that no one seems to be selling this lens ? Is it "old stock" and ready to be replaced with something better and cheaper ? (Ok, wishfull thinking now!)

Steve and Rudi. I have decided to go with the Sig. 70-200 2.8. The reviews have been raves. On photodo the Canon 2.8 L received a rating of 4.1 (out of 5) and the Sig got a 3.9. Other L lenses ranged from 3.9 up to 4.5. So I am confident that the Sig will give me the sharpness and contrast I am looking for...

Now, to find the deal of the century because it is a lot more than I want to spend...hahahahahaha..

Yep. It has good reputation around the Internet. Not many bad reviews.

Please let us all know how you get on with it. I'd be particularly interested in what you think of the autofocus performance and ergonomics of the lens... and don't forget to post some photos taken with the Sigma, so we can all see how the optics are.

And let us know what sort of deal you got!