Info. on a Lens

[Reg]

Thanks Paul & Nathan;

I think I may lean towards the Canon 100-400 for the reason it makes sense to stay with the same Mfg.
I can always look at the TC later.

By the way Paul, what part of the Rock are you from?
I am from Trinity Bay!!

Reg

[newfoundlander61]

East end of ST. John's on Torbay Road.

[Reg]

I went into henrys and tried both lenses, they were both very good,
however the Canon is a push pull type, and the Sigma is a screw type.
Because I have a bum left arm, the Canon was difficult to adjust, so for that
reason I may reconsider the Sigma.

Reg.

[Michael Tam]

The cost difference may be the final determining factor as well:

http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=2
http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=2

A second review and sample of what the Sigma 150-500 can produce:

http://www.lenstip.com/index.html?test= ... est_ob=184
http://www.birdingworld.co.uk/Sigma%20Photos.htm

Good birding and photography

[farmer]

I too am new to birding and got a Canon rebel T2i and am using  a canon 55-250f/4-5.6 IS. I would like to buy the Canon 100-400 (when the budget allows!)  My question is, would you buy a used one on ebay? They seem to be going for about $300 less than new, but most are in the USA. Is the risk worth it?

[Moira]

I would agree with Paul and Nathan.  I started with a Rebel xTi with an 18-200 Canon lens and moved on to a Canon 50D with 400 prime lens.  It was a big investment for me at the time, but one I've never regretted.   When I was researching what to buy, most people advised to go Canon and not Sigma and also to go for a prime lens, not a zoom.  But ... everyone has their own opinion and their own budget.  I'm sure you'll do what works best for you.

[Michael Tam]

This newest thread on the question of wildlife optics may be helpful in your decision:

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00Xo4t

Good birding and photography

[KennyW]

I think that the rule of thumb for Canon lenses is that for 1 series camera such as 1D4, AF cease to work with an extender once the maximum aperture goes beyond F8. For cameras other than the 1 series (such as 7D and other cameras), the maximum aperture is F5.6, beyond that AF will cease to work.

As a result, if you have a 1D Mark III or IV, you can bet on having a 300mm F4 with 2x extender as in this case, the maximum aperture can be attained is F8. Yet the AF speed may be slow. Other than the 1 series cameras, you can't use the 300mm F4 with a 2x extender. In this case, you can only use a 300mm F4 with a 1.4x extend to obtain an F5.6 maximum aperture.

And I think that Canon 100-400L has a better photo quality over the Sigma zoom.

[Michael Tam]

For the bird photographers using the big  :roll: 500 f4 or 600 f4 lens, this article reviews the Nikon 200-400 AFS ED VRII lens for its application in the field.  With its lighter lens body together with the variable focal length, it may be an alternative to a prime lens:

http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/blog ... -vrii.html

Good birding and photography.