True zoom or just a cheap prime ?

eeyore · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 07:49 AM

a number of us have bigmas , little bigmas, sigmonsters, 100-400ISs, or other long zooms, but I was wondering how many of us actually use them as a zoom, or whether they were just a comparitively cheap way of getting up to 400-500mm.

I definitely fall into the latter camp, my little bigma spends virtually its whole life at 500mm, often with a 2x converter on the back as well (for days when that ain enough I have a 3x converter too )

matt_xyz · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 08:01 AM

I don't have an SLR, but my Panasonic FZ30 spends its whole life at full zoom (420mm equiv) and the 1.7 teleconverter only comes off when I'm doing macro work. The camera is therefore permanently operating at 714mm! I suppose this comes from trying to photograph small birds and other wildlife. When I do eventually make the step up to a DSLR I will definitely be getting a long zoom which will again spend its entire life at full zoom! Unless I win the lottery of course and then I'd buy a 500mm prime....

Matt

JM · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 08:03 AM

I still have my little bigma and yes it was just a cheap way to get to 500mm. However when I got my work bonus I treated myself to the 300mm f4 L IS USM and the only time it comes off the camera is to add the 1.4x converter, I haven't looked back since!

MalcolmX · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 08:14 AM

i have a 70-200 and a 100-400 zoom and i use them all the time throughout the range i also have a 2x converter to get up to 800 i would always opt for a quality zoom up to about 400 and step up to a prime after this size

eeyore · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCOLMX

i have a 70-200 and a 100-400 zoom and i use them all the time throughout the range i also have a 2x converter to get up to 800 i would always opt for a quality zoom up to about 400 and step up to a prime after this size

If money was no object i would agree with you, but the trouble is the only primes i can reasonable afford are the shorter ones. the Canon 1000mm prime for instance has to be made to order and costs in the region of £60k.

A sigmonster "only" costs £3k and will get you to 1120mm with a 1.4 converter.

Ollie · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 02:06 PM

I have the bigma, 50 - 500mm and I can't think of one single photo that hasn't been taken at the 500mm end. Don't think it's ever been off the camera since I got it. Less lens changes though means less chance of dust etc getting on the sensor.
Roger