Which 300mm+ lens??

[wrogers]

I have a 400D, and I am currently using a Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX DG

But to me it doesn't cut the mustard, I bought it secondhand and after 6 months I have realised a few shots are soft and the AF is out slightly and is slow to lock on.

I am now looking to replace it with a new wildlife lens, or keep her and get a new longer lens that I will use more.....

Do I...

Swap for a new/used Canon 100-400 L
Swap for a used Sigma 120-300 F/2.8 EX
Save up for a Used Canon 400mm F/5.6 L or 300mm F/4 L
replace with a Canon 300mm F/4 L
Replace with a used Sigma 300mm F/2.8 L

Or do I get the lens checked and re-calibrated??

I am totally lost and confused!!!

Also does anybody know of any decent 2nd Hand shops??

Thanks
Will


P.S. Happy New Year!!!

[MartynA]

I'm currently thinking about a long telephoto for my Pentax K10D and have been reading a few reviews - all of which seem to point to the fact that if you're using Canon, nothing matches the quality of the L series lenses.

I've been thinking about the new sigma 120 - 400mm or 150 - 500m but I know that I'll really only get the image quality I want with a 2.8 lens!

Don't know if that helps.

[GerryNick2]

If it were me I would sell the Sigma and put the proceeds to the Canon 100-400mm zoom if you want the flexibility of a zoom or the the Canon 400mm if you prefer a prime lens. The 400mm will give you slightly better resolution. Having both the Canon lenses and a Sigma 50-500mm the 100-400mm is my most used lens for wildlife.

Gerry

[tristanba]

I'm very happy with the 400mm f5.6L which you might prefer over the 100-400 if you'll be using it mostly at the 400 mm end anyway - its lighter and sharper wide open.

The L lenses do really hold their value and are still fairly expensive second hand, then again if you buy second hand you should get your money back if you ever sell.

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by GerryNick2

If it were me I would sell the Sigma and put the proceeds to the Canon 100-400mm zoom if you want the flexibility of a zoom or the the Canon 400mm if you prefer a prime lens. The 400mm will give you slightly better resolution. Having both the Canon lenses and a Sigma 50-500mm the 100-400mm is my most used lens for wildlife.

Gerry

I would not be without my Canon 100-400L IS usm.
Regards
Colin

[glsammy]

From what I've seen and read the Sigma 100-300mm F4 should be a very good sharp lens, so I'd suggest you get it checked and repaired rather than spend a lot more money and gain very little if any advantage in image quality.

As for who to use, I'd recommend Sigma themselves. I've always found them to be very good, after all, they made the lens in the first place!

[Ollie]

Can't offer much more than has been said. However I have the Canon 400mm f5.6L USM lens and the Sigma 50 -500mm

The Canon 400mm is definitely my favourite lens and the slightly shorter reach than the Sigma 50-500mm is more than made up for in the image quality of the 400mm.

It's swings and roundabouts, if you want the flexibility of a zoom then the Canon 100 - 400mm is undoubtedly a fine lens.

The Canon 400mm f5.6L USM lens is a cracking lens but it does lack the image stabilisation of the 100 - 400mm and this may be a consideration to take into account.
Roger

[BillyPilgrim]

If I had to choose just one lens it would be the Canon 300mm f/4 L IS. I should mention that I'm not a big fan of zoom lenses so obviously favour the primes.

It is a superb all-round lens. You can use it for telephoto, close-up (closest focus is just 1.5m) and (almost) a macro if you attach an extension tube.

It gives excellent, pin-sharp results on its own or with a 1.4x converter so you can also achieve 420mm at f/5.6.

This is not to distract from the other excellent lenses mentioned by other people. For example, the 400mm f/5.6 will give you results just as good but it doesn't have IS, the closest focus distance is longer and you would have to tape the pins if you attach a tele-converter. It’s just as good a lens but not quite the all-rounder. As I said my opinion is based on chosing only the one lens.

The 300mm is also a good 'benchmark' lens. Good enough to compare the quality of most other lenses. Don't know if you've ever seen this website but it gives interesting comparisons between quite a few popular lenses. It’s also been updated recently and some dodgy results have been improved - in particular the bigma's which was like looking through a muddy puddle when I first visited!

Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens - Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Comparison - ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Results

[John D]

[quote=wrogers;400408]I have a 400D, and I am currently using a Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX DG

But to me it doesn't cut the mustard, I bought it secondhand and after 6 months I have realised a few shots are soft and the AF is out slightly and is slow to lock on.

Hi Will, I use the Sigma 100-300mm f4 lens with a Sigma EX 1.4tc and find it to be as good as if not better than alternatives within the same price range.
I would suggest that you have your lens checked out before parting with it.

All the photos I have posted on the Gallery in the last 18months or so have been taken with a Canon 400D or more recently a 40D with the Sigma 100-300mm f4. Search John D to see pics in the Gallery.
John D

[squishy]

i've seen fantastic photos from any of those lenses you've mentioned. all the canon L series are sharp as tack, and from what i've heard nearly all sigmas are as well.