400mm Zoom Lens for Canon 300D

[Jon]

I know there is a thread somewhere, but I can't find it (I put it down to old age).

Does anyone have any recommendations? I am thinking of buying my son a lens for Christmas, currently he is using a Sigma 400mm and a canon 100-100mm both of which frequently produce error messages. I think it is a reflection of older technology matched to relatively new technology.
So any opinions please - say Sigma, Tamron or Tokina. He is only 10 and I am not quite ready to bequeath my Canon 100-400L IS though I am looking more and more at a Canon 500mm!

Thanks

Jon

[Nick T]

The Tamron 200-500 gets a good write up and I know a couple of guys who use it - 1 says he's going to upgrade to the Canon 100 -400 IS so I've got my name on it.

It's a bit lighter than the Canon as well.

[big bill]

Jon have you considered a 1.5 /2x tele converter I know you will lose 1-2 stops of exposure but you can get them quite cheep if you shop around this will give you 800m with x2 converter or600 with the 1.5

[Jon]

Originally Posted by big bill

Jon have you considered a 1.5 /2x tele converter I know you will lose 1-2 stops of exposure but you can get them quite cheep if you shop around this will give you 800m with x2 converter or600 with the 1.5

The 100-300 lens is not reliable and would be even less so with a converter. My experience with converters and zoom lenses of less than aperture f2.8 is not good.

I am after a 100 or 135m to 400mm lens or similar for my son and I cannot decide which to go for - i.e. Sigma Tamron or Tokina.

Jon