(sorry for the bad joke, I can't help myself sometimes)
I've been languishing for a about a year and a half with a Tamron 70-300 lens, and I haven't had the spare change to scrape together for an upgrade due to madly paying off bills. But now I am free of The Man and what not, so I'm looking at upgrading with this year's tax return.
The Tamron is not a horrible lens for the price tag, but its autofocus is useless at times, and I almost always end up in MF mode rather than sitting around waiting.
I have a Canon 650d.
I was planning on spending around $2000 (give or take). (the original plan)
I was looking at buying a:
Canon 400mm f5.6 L
1.4x Extender
Primarily using it for shooting birds.
I was originally looking at the Sigma 150-500, but have been a bit put off by reading reviews.
Any thoughts/feedback?
Thanks in advance!
When i got into birding i was looking at both the Canon 400 5.6 and Sigma 150-500.
The main thing that put me of the Canon was no IS, as i handhold and don't want to drag a mono pod around this was important to me.
Don't forget the 400 with converter will NOT auto focus on your camera.
The Sigma needs good light but i am very happy with it, i have some good results with it.( and plenty of crap shots, but i blame the operator for those)
If i had the cash i would get the Canon 600 f4
Good luck with your choice.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Yeah, I knew that it wouldn't have AF with the converter. The IS is a good point, and I also kind of like the versatility of the 150-500 over a prime... but... Meh...
I have a few weeks at least to hem and haw about it some more. :)
Thanks for the feedback Shorty.
No worries, Windshear.
Something else to think about is the Canon 300 f/4 and add a 1.4 converter gives you 420mm with IS f5.6
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
I've found a friend who has a sigma 150-500, and has agreed to lend it to me for a weekend. I'll see how it goes with his.
Heard only good comments about the Sigma 150-500 & @ around the $1000 a good buy. Will be interesting to see your comments when you try one. ad
Thats great news, i would never lend my lens to anyone.
Hope you don't mind but can i suggest that you set the camera to AV @ f6.3, auto iso, centre point focus, AI servo, and for birds in flight use back button focus. Not sure how that will work on your 650D but on my 7D it works a treat.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
I think I'm more paranoid about borrowing things than he is about lending them.
I'll give them a whirl. (always happy to take free advice) :)
Good luck with a Sigma if you buy one. They say you get what you pay for.
Far better off even with a 400/5.6L and get a touch closer to your subjects. 100mm will not make that incredibly huge difference.
I find the sigma 150-500 so soft at 500mm it's almost useless and crank it back to 400mm to get any sort of acceptable IQ
I would also go for the 400/5.6L I much prefer primes anyway.
The difference between 5.6 and 6.3 doesn't sound much but in failing light it can mean getting the shot or disappointment.