Lens questions

[EchoZA]

The local "brick and mortar" camera store had a special last week. With the following available. The special was only until the 12th but they phoned me today and asked if I was still looking for a longer lens, and they would keep the prices. I currently use the CANON EFS 55-250, but finding that I need more reach. The options are as follows;

SIGMA 150 - 500mm F5 - 6.3 DG HSM OS Lens + SIGMA 70 - 300mm F4 - 5.6 DG Macro lens for R11999
SIGMA 50 - 500mm F4 - 6.3 DG HSM OS Lens inclu. 95mm DG filter for R15999
CANON 100 - 400mm F4.5 - 5.6 L IS USM Lens for R15999

There is also the SIGMA 120 - 400mm DG HSM OS Lens, did not get price but it's under R10000

Now I'm in a quandry as not sure which way to go. Any input would be welcome.

[EDIT] for correction on the 1st item, and links to lenses.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/telephoto-zoom-lenses 1st and 2nd page.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500mm-f5-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-500mm-f45-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/120-400mm-f45-56-dg-apo-os-hsm-sigma

 

[BigAl-sa]

I assume the first is a 50-500. 15-500 would be a monster. I'd go for that without the 2nd lens. My next choice would be the 120-400.
If you can afford it, the C100-400 would be preferred over the 120-400, but then you could consider the 50-500 OS for the same price

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[bwana]

I assume the first is a 50-500. 15-500 would be a monster. I'd go for that without the 2nd lens. My next choice would be the 120-400.
If you can afford it, the C100-400 would be preferred over the 120-400

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Or at that price the 150-500? Given that its a F5 − 6.3?

 

[BigAl-sa]

Or at that price the 150-500? Given that its a F5 − 6.3?

Unfortunately, thats not in the list.

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[EchoZA]

Sorry was missing a 0, according to there paper advert it is the SIGMA 150 - 500mm F5 - 6.3 DG HSM OS Lens.

I'm going to go through and double check tomorrow as most of the time they misprint

 

[EchoZA]

Currently I'm leaning more towards the SIGMA 120 - 400mm as it is 4.5 - 5.6 but then again the extra 100mm on the 150 - 500 would be nice...

 

[rrh]

Given that you currently have a 55-250 - and are looking for more reach - I would go for a 500: the difference [in the field] between a 250 and a 400 is not as significant as you might expect.

The dealer sounds a nice enough guy. Any chance of taking your camera to the store to shoot off a few pix with each lens ?

 

[BigAl-sa]

Ok, Bwana you win!
150-500 is the way to go

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[EchoZA]

Given that you currently have a 55-250 - and are looking for more reach - I would go for a 500: the difference [in the field] between a 250 and a 400 is not as significant as you might expect.

The dealer sounds a nice enough guy. Any chance of taking your camera to the store to shoot off a few pix with each lens ?

I already asked him that question and he said no problem So I'm going to go through (leaving credit card at home) and try out the lenses. Anything in particular to look out for or test? I was thinking shoot of a couple of shots at different focal lengths and aperatures etc and then come home and check the images side by side.

 

[rrh]

I already asked him that question and he said no problem So I'm going to go through (leaving credit card at home) and try out the lenses. Anything in particular to look out for or test? I was thinking shoot of a couple of shots at different focal lengths and aperatures etc and then come home and check the images side by side.

In essence exactly what I would do.

However, being anal:

1. Take a notebook to record each picture's settings.
2. Take a tripod and shoot all comparison pictures off the tripod.
3. At each focal length that you choose: shoot at least one picture at each aperture setting.
4. If you really want to push your luck: take a double page from a newspaper, stick it to a wall, then shoot the newspaper.
As I said, if you really want to push your luck ...
5. To get a feel for using a lens: shoot a couple of pix off the tripod.

 

[bwana]

In essence exactly what I would do.

However, being anal:

1. Take a notebook to record each picture's settings.
2. Take a tripod and shoot all comparison pictures off the tripod.
3. At each focal length that you choose: shoot at least one picture at each aperture setting.
4. If you really want to push your luck: take a double page from a newspaper, stick it to a wall, then shoot the newspaper.
As I said, if you really want to push your luck ...
5. To get a feel for using a lens: shoot a couple of pix off the tripod.

EXIF?

 

[rrh]

EXIF?

True ... I must admit I forgot all about EXIF.

The main reason I use a notebook is that I pre-plan the shoot, create a check-list (in the notebook) then tick as I go.

Besides which, they don't have EXIF for film, my preferred medium ... !!

 

[BigAl-sa]

EXIF?

You took the words out of my mouth!

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[mikef]

The local "brick and mortar" camera store had a special last week. With the following available. The special was only until the 12th but they phoned me today and asked if I was still looking for a longer lens, and they would keep the prices. I currently use the CANON EFS 55-250, but finding that I need more reach. The options are as follows;

SIGMA 150 - 500mm F5 - 6.3 DG HSM OS Lens + SIGMA 70 - 300mm F4 - 5.6 DG Macro lens for R11999
SIGMA 50 - 500mm F4 - 6.3 DG HSM OS Lens inclu. 95mm DG filter for R15999
CANON 100 - 400mm F4.5 - 5.6 L IS USM Lens for R15999

There is also the SIGMA 120 - 400mm DG HSM OS Lens, did not get price but it's under R10000

Now I'm in a quandry as not sure which way to go. Any input would be welcome.

[EDIT] for correction on the 1st item, and links to lenses.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/telephoto-zoom-lenses 1st and 2nd page.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500mm-f5-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-500mm-f45-63-apo-dg-os-hsm-sigma
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/120-400mm-f45-56-dg-apo-os-hsm-sigma

For what its worth just some thoughts:

On the assumption that the 3 listed options are the only specials available:

• The 70-300 included in the first option is an inferior lens to your 55-250 and only worth about R1000 on the 2ndhand market.
• The 150-500 and the 50-500 are very close in IQ with the 50-500 possibly having the slight edge depending on the individual copy variance and the 50-500 is much more versatile.
• Both the Sigmas are heavier than the Canon 100-400 and imo slightly lower in sharpness - however the image stabilisation is reported to be better on the Sigmas.

I have personally used the 50-500 without OS and replaced it with the 100-400 which I enjoy using more primarily due to the lighter weight and the slightly better IQ. Most of my shooting is handheld and I found that my keeper rate doubled using the c100-400 compared to the 50-500 (no OS). At the same price I would always pick the Canon over the Sigma.

 

[froot]

Bit late reply maybe, but I have the Canon 100-400, and mostly use it with a 1.4x teleconverter. Do take note that unless you have a Canon 1D then with a converter it is stuck on MF (doesn't bother me in the least since I don't use AF at all).
I've used the 100-400 in low-light conditions... even at 5am in the summer it provides me with enough light to take a nice photograph.

 

[EchoZA]

Looks like it's going to be the 150 - 500mm, and the missus may even put some money towards it

 

[bwana]

Looks like it's going to be the 150 - 500mm, and the missus may even put some money towards it

Nice - I enjoyed it while I had it - don't get bitten by the sports bug and you'll be fine.

 

[EchoZA]

Another spaner has been thrown in the works... looking at buying a house

 

[rrh]

Another spaner has been thrown in the works... looking at buying a house

As someone who has been there: you could purchase every lens in the manufacturer's catalogue & it will still be cheaper then running a house ...

 

[shearder]

Another spaner has been thrown in the works... looking at buying a house

Owning is overrated! BUY the lens!! Seriously