[stupot]

Hi folks,

After a little advice from peeps on a suitable zoom lens. Having previously owned the Canon 100-400, I guess I'm looking for a zoom with a similar range. I wasn't overly dazzled with the Canon 100-400, it was good but for the price it wasn't spectacular (I wonder whether I had a bad copy!!). Anyway that's by the by now and I have been looking on the second hand market to get a zoom to add to my kit. I have narrowed it down to a small handful.

One particular lens at decent prices second hand is the....
Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO DG OS HSM

Anyone have any experience with this lens???

Thanks in advance
Stuart

[stepheno]

Markulous has all the gen on Sigma zooms. My thoughts - I had the 100-400 for a number of years, it did me well and I was sorry to see it go. But it was not a low light performer and first generation IS. I tried the Canon 70-200 f4 IS but not totally happy so I bought the f2.8 IS - now that is a lens. So far I don't miss the extra 200mm and would get a 1.4x if I do but the quality of the images means I get very high quality crops.

Not answering your question but HTH

[chrisa]

If you weren't buying second hand I'd suggest waiting a few days for the Canon 100-400 mkII. . Maybe that will drop the old version in the market at some time ?

No experience really of either personally - only to say a relative likes the 100-400. I had a 130-400 Sigma which to tell the truth when comparing that to my 300 F4 is awful, and having used a couple of Sigmas, I am not a fan of that brand. Though having said that my brother has a 50-500 on olympus and that is good.

[stupot]

Cheers Chris and Stephen, I'm in no real rush to buy tbh and now knowing that Canon are bringing out a new version of the 100-400mm I might wait to see how that effects the second hand market!!

At present the approx prices for the zooms I have in might sights (excuse the pun )

£420 for the Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO DG OS HSM
£800 for the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
£735 for the Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

You can see why the sigma 120-400mm is an attractive choice considering its price!!

[dabhand16]

Have you considered an f4 300mm prime with a 1.4 converter? Or do you need the shorter focal lengths too?

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/sea...simple&used=on

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-300mm-.../dp/B00005QF6R

[stupot]

Hmmmm tbh not really considered it Graham, do you have it? Just wonder whether i'd miss having the versatility of different focal lengths!! You have me thinking now

A quick look and the Canon 300mm f4 is selling for £700 mint

[dabhand16]

Not got one Stu, but was considering one not so long ago (A Nikon one, of course).

Sigma also do 300,400 and 500mm primes. Mark has a Sigma 150-500 which I think he rates better than the Canon 100-400 - but he also has a Sigma 500mm too, greedy XXX!

If you don't mind manual focus there are older lenses that will be well cheap.

You could rent one for a weekend to see how you get on with it (or lend one).

[dabhand16]

The longest lens I have is an 80-200 f2.8, but I also have a 1.7x converter. The one time that this combination fell a little short was when I went to Silverstone for the British GP qualifying. Most of the time it was OK, but I could have used a bit more for some shots, so had to crop. However, this was the first time that this situation happened in more than 5 years, but in that time the 80-200 with no converter has seen plenty of action and probably is used as much as my 24-70. It is a really great lens for me, and I'm pretty sure that a 2x converter will work OK with one.

Do you remember GS Gary? He was a Canon shooter and often used a 2x converter with various lenses IIRC and got great results. The pictures are probably still on here somewhere.

[jake]

Just a couple of observations, first, to be fare, make sure any 400mm lens is on a good solid support before judging it - many a "soft" long telephoto turns out not to be once camera shake is eliminated. Secondly give some thought to the weight no use leaving a lens behind @cos it drags you down

[stupot]

Hmmmm Sigma 150-500mm very reasonable price I can see this taking awhile before I decide haha!! I'll take a look at GS Gary's stuff also. I've kind of always shied away from primes for fear of being too restricted, which is a little crazy as they always seem to out-perform variable focal length lenses.....

[stupot]

Originally Posted by jake

Just a couple of observations, first, to be fare, make sure any 400mm lens is on a good solid support before judging it - many a "soft" long telephoto turns out not to be once camera shake is eliminated. Secondly give some thought to the weight no use leaving a lens behind @cos it drags you down

Having had the Canon 100-400mm in the past, it was a bit of a lump but got used to it, and was pretty much constantly attached to a monopod!! But take your point, might be worth comparing weights with the canon 100-400 which I found manageable.

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

Hmmmm Sigma 150-500mm very reasonable price I can see this taking awhile before I decide haha!! I'll take a look at GS Gary's stuff also. I've kind of always shied away from primes for fear of being too restricted, which is a little crazy as they always seem to out-perform variable focal length lenses.....

IIRC Mark rates the 500 prime over the 150-500, but I get the feeling that he does not use it as much. Hopefully he will be along to give first hand info.

Jake is dead right about having a solid base for long lenses though.

In the meantime, the Tamron 150-600 has won awards and is under 1K new

[stupot]

Originally Posted by dabhand16

In the meantime, the Tamron 150-600 has won awards and is under 1K new

Oh Graham you're just being cruel now

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

Oh Graham you're just being cruel now

You ain't seen nuffin yet!

Under £900 at digital Depot

Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 VC USD - Canon Fit

[dabhand16]

And to turn the screw a bit more

£710 at One Stop Digital

Camera Lenses :: Tamron :: Canon Mount :: Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Canon - Onestop Digital

[stupot]

Oh bejesus I totally forgot about one-stop digital, now that is interesting, do they still guarantee no import duty I wonder!! Keep this up Graham you might just be on to a winner

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

do they still guarantee no import duty I wonder!!

They did when I bought my Tokina 100mm f2.8 macro last year

It is in the Ts&Cs. If you get charged, pay the duty and get a VAT receipt. Scan it and e-mail it to them and they will refund is the gist of it.

I ordered my Tokina from One Stop at about 3pm on Monday and at 3pm on the Wednesday following (that is exactly 48 hours from my order) it was on my camera!

[stupot]

I remember buying my canon 24-105mm from them and a few other bits, and was very impressed with the speed of their delivery. You have me seriously thinking about the Tamron, it gets some very good reviews Won't be buying until after Xmas but we have a new front runner

[stupot]

A quote from a professional tog about the said Tamron

"After shooting more than a thousand frames with this lens, I believe that I can safely say that Tamron does in fact have a game-changer on its hands. This lens defies all expectations (including my own). It is an excellent telephoto zoom lens that reaches a focal length longer than what most people currently own at a price that they can probably afford."

Can I be swayed away from my previous preconceived thoughts of 'but it's a Tamron!!'

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

Can I be swayed away from my previous preconceived thoughts of 'but it's a Tamron!!'

Nowt wrong with Tamron. 5 year warranty (if you buy a UK model) and their 24-70 f2.8 is getting very good press as is the 70-200 f2.8 and others too.

Testament is the SP90 macro. Over 30 years in production before they eventually updated it with a VC version. If it was no good it would never had lasted that long in production. One Stop were doing the original non-stabilised one for £225! Unbelievable bargain at almost half their price for the new Tamron VC 90mm macro lens.

https://www.onestop-digital.com/inde...oduct_id=33826

[stupot]

Well I certainly have thrown my brand snobbery out the window by reading some of the reviews on Tamron's tonight....

[dabhand16]

http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...ghlight=tamron

http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...ghlight=tamron

http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...ghlight=tamron

http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...tml#post385665

[grease spot]

... and have a look at the reviews from blackadder who has moved from Canon lenses to Tamrons

Pixalo Photographic Equipment Reviews - 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD -

Pixalo Photographic Equipment Reviews - 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD -

Not what you're looking for at the moment maybe, but these along with the 90mm macro have earned a very good reputation that makes them more than worthy contenders when considering breaking the 'bond of allegiance', not only for their price advantage.

[stupot]

I always considered Tamron the poor relation when it comes to lenses, but have to admit after reading the reviews for all the Tamron lenses here, how ignorant that view was!

Spent ages reading reviews for the 150-600mm and whilst it's never going to be quite up there with the long primes it gets on the whole amazing reviews. I sort of had £700 - £800 at the very maximum and that was on the second hand market, so a brand new lens with more range than I can shake a stick at, for that price is very appealing! I guess the only caveat would be the warranty, or lack of it, if I bought from HK. But then if I was to buy secondhand I wouldn't have any warranty anyway!! 95mm filter size is a bit of a pain also, but then again it's not the sort of lens I'd have lots of different filters on, a decent UV to protect the end glass would be all.

So I really think you've put me on to a winner here Graham, for what I'd use it for I feel it's perfect for my needs Just gotta squeeze a few pennies out the bank now, unfortunately with a 6 yo and Xmas looming I can but only lust after it for now

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

unfortunately with a 6 yo and Xmas looming I can but only lust after it for now

I know the feeling. Six years old now? Wow - time has certainly flown round.

If you look at the very bottom of the One Stop home page there are some direct links to the VAT reclaim form and the FAQs mention a 12 month return to HK warranty with free courier return and delivery.

If you think that a 5 year warranty is worth £190 there is always Digital Depot. UK bought Tamron lenses have a 5 year warranty.

[stupot]

Originally Posted by dabhand16

If you look at the very bottom of the One Stop home page there are some direct links to the VAT reclaim form and the FAQs mention a 12 month return to HK warranty with free courier return and delivery.

If you think that a 5 year warranty is worth £190 there is always Digital Depot. UK bought Tamron lenses have a 5 year warranty.

One stop actually do a 3 year return to HK warranty for an extra £18, would obviously have to check the small print carefully! Onestop do have a very good reputation, so probably would take a chance with a 3 year warranty.

Haha yes Oliver is now 6, going on 16 and has the whole world worked out, including how to wrap me around his little finger

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

One stop actually do a 3 year return to HK warranty for an extra £18, would obviously have to check the small print carefully! Onestop do have a very good reputation, so probably would take a chance with a 3 year warranty.

Did not know that. Sounds good, especially if it has free courier too like the 12 month one. Yes, One Stop does have a very good reputation.

[Boofers]

Sorry, I wrote to much and it timed out. I'll just say good luck.

[stupot]

Well the Tamron SP 150-600mm has been ordered

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by stupot

Well the Tamron SP 150-600mm has been ordered

Perhaps you can do a review when you have got used to it.