Long zoom for sports photos

[nick_gray]

: Alternatively I could get a shorter bigger aperture zoom up to 200 or 250mm and add a 1.4 or 2X extender.

Hi Jekyll59,

The Canon 1.4x and 2x extenders will only work with L series telephoto or telephoto zoom lenses, so if going this route, be careful which lens you buy. See here for a compatibility chart. I think you also lose a couple of stops, so they are only useful in good light conditions.

Looking at the reviews of the lenses, already mentioned by others, on the Warehouse Express site (WEX): The Sigma 150-500 seems to get fairly mixed reviews, from 14 reviewers, the Sigma 50-500 only has a couple of reviews, so is difficult to judge, the Canon 100-400 seems to be generally liked by all 26 reviewers, it's also on the extender compatibility chart, if you did want to go even longer!!

Now, I just need to start saving. A shame we've got a hosepipe ban, else I might be tempted to go and do some car washing to make some extra money.

Regards

Nick

[Markulous]

Like the Sigma 150-500 over the Canon 100-400 for the extra 100mm and the good OS
Like the Canon over the Sigma for the build quality, rather like the push-pull zoom action (but the barrel lock can fail - but then the Sigma only has a lock when unextended)
I've had better results with the Sigma than the Canon

Originally Posted by nick_gray

The Canon 1.4x and 2x extenders will only work with L series telephoto or telephoto zoom lenses, so if going this route, be careful which lens you buy. See here for a compatibility chart. I think you also lose a couple of stops, so they are only useful in good light conditions.

You could always use a Kenko TC which'll fit most lenses and is of equal quality of output to the Type II Canon (the Type III is considerably better!). I had a Canon 1.4x II and binned it for the Kenko 1.4x Pro300 (sold the Canon for 3 x what I paid for the Kenko). I use the 1.4x as the IQ dropoff isn't too bad, whereas the 2x would be too much for me - and I only lose 1 stop vs the 2 stops with the 2x

Be aware that adding a TC which makes the aperture of the lens f/8 (like on a 100-400 @ f/5.6) will prevent AF on most Canon cameras (unless you use the pin tape trick)

Originally Posted by nick_gray

Looking at the reviews of the lenses, already mentioned by others, on the Warehouse Express site (WEX): The Sigma 150-500 seems to get fairly mixed reviews, from 14 reviewers, the Sigma 50-500 only has a couple of reviews, so is difficult to judge, the Canon 100-400 seems to be generally liked by all 26 reviewers, it's also on the extender compatibility chart, if you did want to go even longer!!

Don't forget there're 2 x Sigma 50-500s now: the original Bigma and the newer OS version - the OS version is very well rated and would appear to outperform the 150-500

[nick_gray]

Thanks for the info, Markulous,

Don't forget there're 2 x Sigma 50-500s now: the original Bigma and the newer OS version - the OS version is very well rated and would appear to outperform the 150-500

I could only find the one Sigma 50-500 on the WEX site (Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Canon Fit), so I assume this is the newer of the two you mentioned. This is the one with only 2 reviews (both good), that I linked to in my post.

At the moment, I've got a Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens, and was thinking about replacing it (when and if funds allow). Your information about the the Kenko Pro 300 looked really interesting, but I think I'm snookered by this statement from Kenko (especially the last two sentences), but it might still be suitable for the OP:

"The PRO 300 family is designed specifically to be used with prime telephoto lenses of 100mm or above, such as, a 300 mm f/2.8 lens, and work best with telephoto lenses of 200mm to 500mm. The PRO 300 can be used with telephoto zoom lenses as well as prime lenses. However, Kenko does not recommend them for zoom lenses that have a range starting under 50 mm. Please note: Kenko teleconverters are not compatible with Canon EF-S lenses."

Be aware that adding a TC which makes the aperture of the lens f/8 (like on a 100-400 @ f/5.6) will prevent AF on most Canon cameras (unless you use the pin tape trick)

What's the pin tape trick?

I guess, ultimately, as others have already said. I've got to save up, then go and have a play with both the Sigma and Canon lenses to feel what they are like to handle and use.

Apologies for the hijacking of this thread. Hopefully, the OP will find it interesting, as we both seem to be looking for a similar solution. And thanks once again to Markulous, for the information and comparisons, very useful.

Cheers

Nick

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by nick_gray

Apologies for the hijacking of this thread. Hopefully, the OP will find it interesting, as we both seem to be looking for a similar solution. And thanks once again to Markulous, for the information and comparisons, very useful.

Yes thank you Markulous as it is providing us with your experience which is very useful.

Nick I don't think you need to apologise for hijacking the thread as it is completely on topic with the OP and I for one am finding everything so far useful and constructive, I have been looking into the value of upgrading my Macro lens to the L series version and have concluded the difference in image quality is marginal and seeing as I shoot most macro on a tripod the image stabalisation is not going to be that useful so in other words I think I am looking for an increased zoom .

Of course another lens to throw into the mix is the Sigma 120-400mm found this review here

[nick_gray]

Originally Posted by wavemachine

I have been looking into the value of upgrading my Macro lens to the L series version and have concluded the difference in image quality is marginal and seeing as I shoot most macro on a tripod the image stabalisation is not going to be that useful so in other words I think I am looking for an increased zoom .

I'm fortunate enough to have the Canon 100mm L Macro IS and it is lovely, but I agree with you, if you have the non-IS, I'm not sure what benefit you'll get from the upgrade. Unless of course you need the IS for hand-held macro. Is there anything in particular that you aren't happy with the non-IS that you have?

Originally Posted by wavemachine

Of course another lens to throw into the mix is the Sigma 120-400mm found this review here

Oh great, thanks for that link, makes the decision so much easier - not . I especially like this quote "Numerous photographers I know refer to the Canon lens as the Vacuum Cleaner." for the amount of dust it sucks into the lens, when zooming in and out!! From the way I read the article it looks like the Canon 100-400 and Sigma 120-400 are pretty evenly matched, until the 400mm end, where the Canon just nixes it. But I've just looked at the price difference on WEX - Canon 100-400 = £1200, Sigma 120-400 = £709 a price difference of £500!! (the Sigma 50-500 for comparison is £1199). Decisions, decisions.

I thought I'd check out http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/ and http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/services/rental.cfm that 2beers posted, to see how much the rental of the lenses would be, so I could do the comparison myself. The Canon is £38 per day/weekend from Camulet, or £70 per week from lensesforhire. Unfortunately neither of them offer Sigma lenses for hire

Regards

Nick

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by nick_gray

I could only find the one Sigma 50-500 on the WEX site (Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Canon Fit), so I assume this is the newer of the two you mentioned. This is the one with only 2 reviews (both good), that I linked to in my post.

That's the one

Originally Posted by nick_gray

Thanks for the info, Markulous,
However, Kenko does not recommend them for zoom lenses that have a range starting under 50 mm. Please note: Kenko teleconverters are not compatible with Canon EF-S lenses."

Only problem is any lens that has anything protruding back from the mount into the camera. Certainly my 15-85 EF-S lens does, so it won't fit (but I can't think why I want to use it on that lens!). I've used it with my 150-500, 500, 300, 105, 150.

Originally Posted by nick_gray

What's the pin tape trick?

You tape up 2 of the electrical contacts on the TC so that camera isn't aware there's a TC attached. Aperture control and AF work normally but EXIF will not show presence of TC. I can take a photo of mine if anyone wants more info.

BTW, this works with the Canon mk II TCs but not sure about mk IIIs

Of course, with a stop of light less, camera will hunt for focus more - using a 2x TC I imagine on a f/5.6 it must be near impossible to AF in less than very bright conditions