[Chilliman]

My longest lens at the moment is a Sigma Zoom 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro, Although it is a pretty good lens as budget lens I'm about to upgrade to my first piece of L glass, namely the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM. I've read a lot of reviews, on it which all seem positive. What is putting me off is the 2.8 version is the extra weight, (Im the original 7 stone wimp ) plus I don't think there would be too many occasions for me when I need to stop down to 2.8. I've taken a few low light shots with the sunsets etc Sigma on a tripod, I'm sure I could do it again on the Canon F4.

Not so much looking for a recommendation between lens but I'd like to consider the 1x4 TC to compliment the 70-200, Am I right in assuming the 70 - 200 plus 1x4 tc will probably give me a tad more reach than my old Sigma Zoom 70-300mm f/4-5.6. Also I assume the difference in IQ is going to be much better.
What would the Canon 70-200L plus 1x4 TC equate to on my Canon 40D ? and would it give me a sharper photo than this one taken with the Sigma @300mm, tree is approx 75ft away and top of tree about 30ft. Photo has only had a resize for the forum.

[brian wright22]

Interesting one this Chilliman and welcome to Pixalo. I'm not sure from looking at your shot if the unsharpness of it is due to;
a) Camera shake.
b) The tree moving in the breeze
c) Out of focus
d) Softness of the lens.

If you can supply the Exif file information then we may be at least narrow the problem down and may be suggest what improvements a lens change may give.
Brian

[Rob Barron]

The lens you're looking at is excellent so you won't have any quality problems there. The f2.8 version is not only heavier it is a LOT more expensive, so you need to be able to justify that which a lot of us cannot.

The 1.4TC will give you a very similar reach to your 70-300mm lens and the same f stop as you will be losing one stop so f4 becomes f5.6. The 200mm end of the lens is going to become 280mm so just shy of the 300mm but not much difference. If you are going this route to improve your reach then you'll be disappointed as it isn't any longer. You'd either have to go for a 2x TC giving you 400mm but losing two stops (f4 becomes f8) and because you're going down to f8 you'll usually lose autofocus as well. The alternative is to go up to the 100-400mm IS L which is a beltingly good lens but obviously more money than the 70-200mm.

In terms of quality, yes you will see a difference between the Sigma and the Canon L series, no question. BUT is it the type of difference you are really looking for? The clarity is better but it is not going to show up as chalk and cheese on every shot by any means. When accurately focused, your Sigma lens is a decent bit of glass and can produce very clean, sharp photos. The L series glass is top notch, you will reduce chromatic aberation massively and you have a lens which is weather-sealed to give you years and years of donkey work without getting upset if it's drizzling!

May I humbly recommend you consider carefully the type of shots you normally enjoy taking and make sure that this change is the one you will benefit most from at this juncture? I am a Canon man and have several L series lenses so I am perfectly certain of the quality attainable with them, I am just not entirely sure, from what you have written here, that you are making the best use of your money in this change.

After all, a 70-200mm f2.8 IS and a 1.4x TC is a decent investment and maybe it would be better to save just a little more and get the 100-400mm lens which will give you the extra reach you seem to want whilst giving you cracking quality, IS and so forth.

I hope that is food for thought and that I haven't just sown seeds of doubt and confusion. Though if the latter, then I don't apologise for that. I would rather you waited until you were certain of the move you are investing in than to spend heaps now and not reap the benefits as richly as you hoped.

Cheers,
Rob

[Chilliman]

Thanks Brian & Rob

Brian, theres Exif in the pic, if you need it posted I can do, it's probably a combination of 1 & 2 but I do notice the pics are not as sharp at the full FL, A common problem I think except for the top of the range lenses. I notice IQ is'nt as great at the 300mm end when taking shots on a tripod of a static object. Reducing the FL helps greatly. hence the reason I'm thinking of L quality lens so IQ remains the same throughout the FL range.

Rob, you've certainly got me thinking again, I'll blame you when the wife yells "HOW MUCH!" Perhaps your right on hanging on and thinking about the 100-400, the extra length would allow me to zoom in that bit further than I could with the 70-200L or even my sigma, also it would get me right in close to the top of my neighbours large tree which is visited by various birds and me sitting sipping coffee or stronger inside back room with my patio door open and camera on the tripod snapping the feathered passers by. I guess I'll probably save a bit more but for the F4 lens

[Whipspeed]

The 70-200 f4 L IS USM is a good lens, although I'm replacing it with an f2.8 as for the sports photography I've come to the conclusion that I should have gone for the extra apeture in the first place. The 100-400 is again a good lens and you should get some good bird shots with it, I mainly use mine for Rugby when my son is playing and can get the action from right across the pitch pin sharp.

[Chilliman]

Hopefully going for the canon 100-400L IS on Tuesday, buying it from that nice man Mr Kerso, I'll drive over to his shop which is'nt too far from me and will save quite a bit in postage. Got a good price for it compared to other places.

Thanks to all who replied.

[silkstone]

Before you make a final decision and spend lots of money...

Your pic above is taken at 300mm, 1/125. No way will you get a sharp image from that unless you use a tripod and there is no wind to move the branches - unless you have an IS lens and even then it won't stop the branches moving.

Consider the Canon 70-300 IS which is miles better than the older 75-300 lenses and, I suspect, your current Sigma lens. The 70-200 and 100-400 are very good but relatively much larger and heavier. At least give the 70-300 IS a try somewhere before you go for anything else.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Hopefully going for the canon 100-400L IS on Tuesday, buying it from that nice man Mr Kerso, I'll drive over to his shop which is'nt too far from me and will save quite a bit in postage. Got a good price for it compared to other places.

Don't forget the Canon Cashback offer which will make it even cheaper!... Ian should be able to supply you with a UK receipt so you can claim the cashback.

[Chilliman]

Originally Posted by Sonsey

Don't forget the Canon Cashback offer which will make it even cheaper!... Ian should be able to supply you with a UK receipt so you can claim the cashback.

Still waiting for the cashback from my 40D bought the first week in January, bought from a major UK shop .Just sent another email to them to see if I can push them along a bit cos it would come in handy.

[Chilliman]

Took the plunge and got the Canon 100-400L IS USM yesterday, Picked it up from Kerso's house as he's not too far away from me. Good price too I don't think I've seen cheaper, £790.00 cos there was no postage fees, deduct £75.00 cashback making the price of the lens £715.00 not a bad bargain.

Time I got home weather was very dull and dark so could'nt experiment with it too much. I see sun is shining this morning so I'll be playing around with it today.

[Dabhand16]

I'm sure you won't regret it, this lens gets so much praise from everyone.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Still waiting for the cashback from my 40D bought the first week in January, bought from a major UK shop .Just sent another email to them to see if I can push them along a bit cos it would come in handy.

I got my cashback for the 40D in about 2 months but that was late last year, perhaps they're lagging due to the Christmas sales

...Either way, keep emailing them and I'm sure you'll get it eventually.

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Took the plunge and got the Canon 100-400L IS USM yesterday

Time I got home weather was very dull and dark so could'nt experiment with it too much. I see sun is shining this morning so I'll be playing around with it today.

Congrats on the new toy!

Yeah it needs a decent bit of light to be at it's best but I've had sharp results hand held at 400mm and 1/80 sec. I hope you enjoy the lens as much as I do.