70-300mm IS Vs. Sigma 120-400mm OS

Ok, so i am primarily interested in Image Quality here. I currently have the Canon 70-300mm IS and am extremely happy with it, nice IQ, good IS, light etc etc. However, im currently trying to fine-tune my lens collection ready for a move out to kenya in the summer, where more reach = better.

Is the image quality of the Sigma APO 120-400mm OS anything like the 70-300IS, in terms of sharpness etc. (I know i lose 1/2 a stop anyway with the Sigma only being 4.5-5.6.)?

Cheers
Rowan

I can't answer your question, but I am interested in the answer. My son has the 70-300IS and it has pretty decent IQ potential. If the Sigma is its equivalent, I may buy one myself.

Why isn't the Sigma 150-500mm OS on your list? It's an excellent lens, and gives excellent IQ. It's slightly slower than the 120-400mm, but you'll be getting more reach.

katodog wrote in post #7331740
Why isn't the Sigma 150-500mm OS on your list? It's an excellent lens, and gives excellent IQ. It's slightly slower than the 120-400mm, but you'll be getting more reach.

same question, its only about $100 more and gives you that 500mm reach

as for the OS system, I've heard it described as "highly effective" and "not as refined"

I personally am planning on nabbing the 150-500 or as I'm going to call mine "Big Stig" in a few weeks and do a comprehensive review for you guys [Along with the other 2 lenses I'm getting]

I have looked at the 150-500 but at the moment in the UK, there is at least a £190 or so price difference, i.e. $270 ish, so at the moment its a bit out of my reach, but if funds were to allow i would have it in a heartbeat.

Cheers
Rowan

Agree with everyone else: 150-500 is the badger's nadgers for the money!

The OS is spot on, it just takes a little getting used to. At 500mm, you have to hold it as steady as you can to give the thing a chance. It can't work miracles!

The more I use mine, the more I like it

I agree on the Sigma 150-500 suggestion. No lens has ever pissed me off as much as the 70-300 IS (AF hunting through a long range without ring USM or FTM). Optically it was decent but gosh I HATED using it - I almost smashed it a few times out of frustration, sold it within a month.

rowan57 wrote in post #7334747
I have looked at the 150-500 but at the moment in the UK, there is at least a £190 or so price difference, i.e. $270 ish, so at the moment its a bit out of my reach, but if funds were to allow i would have it in a heartbeat.

Cheers
Rowan

Maybe save a little more?

The 120-400 isnt bad, its just that its bigger brother is so good!

back to the original question...from looking at slrgear.com the 70-300IS has better image quality than the sigma 120-400OS

70-300IS http://www.slrgear.com …ct.php/product/​253/cat/11
120-400OS http://www.slrgear.com …t.php/product/1​184/cat/31

is this a new lens?...slrgear was the only site i could find that had any info on the 120-400mm

i'd also save for one of the longer sigmas(in fact that's what i'm planning on doing)...there is also the 50-500mm lens, which used can be had close to 800...no OS but if you're using a tripod you should be o.k.

Thanks guys, unfortunately its not really a case of saving as i dont have any money coming in, its a case of selling what i have & making up the odds for what i want.

DreDaze, thanks, those comparisons look poor but i think there are good quality images out there from the 120-400mm, just looking on flickr & the like.

Cheers
Rowan