Reading mode: Light Dark

400 mm on a budget

Go to last post
G

GWS2

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
268
Reaction score
0
Location
Dexter, MI, US
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60. The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of 1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm 1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness. Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
 
How about the Canon EF 400/5.6 ?
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
 
Or do what I did, get a excellent condition used 300 4.0L, the old non IS version and than add the canon teles.

you can get a 300 4.0, 420 5.6 and 600 8.0 for under 1,000 bucks if you shop well.
DavidP said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Bob Jarman

'I don't know how I got over the hill without ever getting to the top?'

http://rkjarman.com
http://www.usefilm.com/showport.php?uid=160
 
If you’re on budget I’d recommend one of the Sigma lenses:

SIGMA AF 135-400 F4.5-5.6 APO-ASP EOS
SIGMA AF170-500 F5-6.3 APO ASP EOS
SIGMA AF 50-500 4-6.3 EX APO HSM EOS

If not, Canon makes some great 400mm prime lenses that I can’t afford!

I do own a Canon 100-400mm L IS and it’s really good, but about double the price of the Sigma. Whatever you do, don’t even consider a “mirror lens” they are total garbage.
 
Hi.

B&H has 3 more "used" 400L 5.6's for $850. They are in 10/10 condition, hurry and you should be able to snag one. See my other thread, that I just posted.
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
some pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/smisra/
 
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
 
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
My suggestion would be the Sigma 300mm F2.8, Ok not 400mm, but strap on the 1.4x Tele and with limited if at all any loss in image quality you have a 480mm F4.0 Lens. Ok a little more expensive than the 40mm F5.6 or some of the other zooms, but the picture quality is great. Also with the F2.8 the extra light really helps the AF on the D60.

Take a look at the posting I made last week showing my first attempt at bird photogrpahy using the D60 and 300mm F2.8.
--
Rich Claypole - (Wannabe Sports Photographer)

http://www.FootballPics.net

Canon EOS D60
Canon EF 50mm F1.8, EF 28-135mm IS
Sigma 300mm F2.8 + 1.4x Tele-Converter
 
Rich Claypole said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
My suggestion would be the Sigma 300mm F2.8, Ok not 400mm, but
strap on the 1.4x Tele and with limited if at all any loss in image
quality you have a 480mm F4.0 Lens. Ok a little more expensive than
the 40mm F5.6 or some of the other zooms, but the picture quality
is great. Also with the F2.8 the extra light really helps the AF on
the D60.

Take a look at the posting I made last week showing my first
attempt at bird photogrpahy using the D60 and 300mm F2.8.
--
Rich Claypole - (Wannabe Sports Photographer)

http://www.FootballPics.net

Canon EOS D60
Canon EF 50mm F1.8, EF 28-135mm IS
Sigma 300mm F2.8 + 1.4x Tele-Converter
Click to expand...
--
Rich:

The Sigma 300mm f2.8 that I see on B&H is $2199; not quite within my budget as a retired photo hobbyist. Is this the one you have?
Curious Gary
 
I know nothing about this lens, but the Sigma 400 f5.6 leapt of the page on a price only consideration.
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--

I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're too sensitive or I've overdone it.
 
I had the 400 F5.6L and it's wide open performance was exemplary as was the traditional L contrast and colour - this is a damn good job because if it had needed stopping down it would have been verging on useless with it starting at F5.6.. I sold it because I wasn't using it much because it relied so heavily on needing a tripod , if it had been F4 or better still, Had IS, I'd have kept it - sayig that, it's not an especially heavy lens, it's lighter than the 80-200L or 70-200L IS......

A used one would be a damn good buy and You don't even want to know what i bought and sold mine for (VERY Cheap) as it was probably cosmetically the worst example in history, nearly all of the writing had come off, the paint was missing in a lot of places and it had been touched up with badly matching gloss housepaint which even came off when I peeled the Scooby-Doo stickers off the hood (just before I sold it - LOL) Optically it was as new and there wasn't a single spec of dust in it!!!!.

I'd look into the Sigma too as Calvin mentioned, I don't know if it's as good but at least you won't have to put it through the spray shop ;-) ..

--
My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
Calvin Chann said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're
too sensitive or I've overdone it.
Click to expand...
--

Calvin:
Where did you see the good price on the Sigma 400/f5.6?
Curious Gary
 
Just as a datapoint I bought a used EF 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 L IS USM from a pro photographer for $1125, in perfect condition, including lens hood and case. If it only took a hundred or two to get the zoom over the prime 400 5.6, I would go for it. Don't forget that many (not all) lens quality issues are most severe at the extreme edges of their fields. But if you're shooting a D30 or D60 you're never seeing that part of the field - so a lens with less than perfect performance at the edges and good performance on center should work fine.
 
I was browsing UK photo mags as I do and came across this. I'll have to find it again. It may have been used though. Can't remember.

I'll look tonight.
GWS2 said:
Calvin Chann said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're
too sensitive or I've overdone it.
Click to expand...
--

Calvin:
Where did you see the good price on the Sigma 400/f5.6?
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--

I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're too sensitive or I've overdone it.
 
Having checked 2 UK online suppliers, I can reasonably safely say that the Sigma 500 f5.6 that I saw was used, because neither supplier lists that lens as a new lens. Only the 4.5 version which is getting towards L prices.
Calvin Chann said:
I'll look tonight.
GWS2 said:
Calvin Chann said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're
too sensitive or I've overdone it.
Click to expand...
--

Calvin:
Where did you see the good price on the Sigma 400/f5.6?
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're
too sensitive or I've overdone it.
Click to expand...
--

I don't mean to offend, but if you are offended, then maybe you're too sensitive or I've overdone it.
 
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please
Click to expand...
While a 400mm F/5.6 prime might be the obvious choice, I would prefer a 300mm F/4 with a 1.4 TC, a more flexible solution.

Then you have the choice:
rather expensive: 300 F/4 L IS + Canon TC
cheaper: 300 F/4 L (non IS) + Sigma/Tamron TC
even cheaper: 300 F/4 APO Macro HSM from Sigma + Tamron TC

It all depends on what you plan to do with it. The IS version is good for closups (focuses at 1.5m) and if you shoot hand-held. The non IS Canon prime is the sharpest of the series but focuses at 1.8m. The Sigma is the cheapest, focuses at 1.2m, but is not as sharp.

That's the one I have. It is less sharp than my 70-200 f/4 Canon zoom, but still better than mid-range Sigma zooms and faster anyway.

Be sure to get the HSM version (faster AF) and do not use a Sigma TC with it (or you will lose AF).

--
=====================
Olivier Ffrench
http://www.offrench.net/photos
 
I have this lens but have yet to really test it out. I have been using my Canon 100-300L and I am very satisfied with the result. The Sigma is a very good lens acording to photodo (3.5) and is very well regarded as a good performer based on the reviews found here

http://www.photographyreview.com/35mm,Primes/Sigma,400mm,f-5.6,APO,Tele,Macro/PRD_83583_3111crx.aspx

I have only shot handheld at slow shutter speed from my window since it's damn too cold to get out. If it gets warm over the weekend I will try and post some samples.
 
Chris A said:
I have this lens but have yet to really test it out. I have been
using my Canon 100-300L and I am very satisfied with the result.
The Sigma is a very good lens acording to photodo (3.5) and is very
well regarded as a good performer based on the reviews found here

http://www.photographyreview.com/35mm,Primes/Sigma,400mm,f-5.6,APO,Tele,Macro/PRD_83583_3111crx.aspx

I have only shot handheld at slow shutter speed from my window
since it's damn too cold to get out. If it gets warm over the
weekend I will try and post some samples.
Click to expand...
The Sigma 400mm f/5.6 looks like a perfect fit for me, but I can't find a new one anywhere. Any shopping advice?
--
Curious Gary
 
I agree about the 300mm F/4 L USM, I picked one up for $575 on Ebay a few weeks back, it is a very sharp lens. Add a Canon 1.4x extender for about $300 and you have a very nice 420mm F/5.6 telephoto.The IS versioin would be even better, although perhaps just a hair less sharpness and contrast. Here is a link to many of my D60 images, the last 8 were taken using my 300mm F/4 L USM(non-IS version), most of these were cropped to only 20% or less of the original image size.

http://www.photoblink.com/photos.asp?groupby=authorid&value=653&cid=0

George Dangerfield
Bob Jarman said:
you can get a 300 4.0, 420 5.6 and 600 8.0 for under 1,000 bucks
if you shop well.
DavidP said:
GWS2 said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please

--
Curious Gary
Click to expand...
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise
Click to expand...
--
Bob Jarman

'I don't know how I got over the hill without ever getting to the
top?'

http://rkjarman.com
http://www.usefilm.com/showport.php?uid=160
Click to expand...
 
Do a search for this lens. I have it and am extremely happy with it. its less than $700 new and very sharp.
OFfrench said:
OFfrench said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please
Click to expand...
While a 400mm F/5.6 prime might be the obvious choice, I would
prefer a 300mm F/4 with a 1.4 TC, a more flexible solution.

Then you have the choice:
rather expensive: 300 F/4 L IS + Canon TC
cheaper: 300 F/4 L (non IS) + Sigma/Tamron TC
even cheaper: 300 F/4 APO Macro HSM from Sigma + Tamron TC

It all depends on what you plan to do with it. The IS version is
good for closups (focuses at 1.5m) and if you shoot hand-held. The
non IS Canon prime is the sharpest of the series but focuses at
1.8m. The Sigma is the cheapest, focuses at 1.2m, but is not as
sharp.
That's the one I have. It is less sharp than my 70-200 f/4 Canon
zoom, but still better than mid-range Sigma zooms and faster anyway.
Be sure to get the HSM version (faster AF) and do not use a Sigma
TC with it (or you will lose AF).

--
=====================
Olivier Ffrench
http://www.offrench.net/photos
Click to expand...
 
I haven't seen them that cheap from any of the normal dealers. Can you recommend to "good" place that sell them that cheap.

Thanks
Flash80 said:
OFfrench said:
SCOR said:
I do a lot of nature photography from my home office with my D60.
The lens I now use is the Tamron 200-400 AF LD. The results are A W
F U L! (lack of sharpness) Even tripod-mounted, shutter speeds of
1/500 & faster, along with various apertures.
This is not surprising now that I've read Photodo's test rating (1.2)

I'm getting excellent results with my Sigma 15-30, and Canon 50mm
1.4, so it's not the camera.

I don't NEED zoom or IS. What I need is 400mm and sharpness.
Recommendations, please
Click to expand...
While a 400mm F/5.6 prime might be the obvious choice, I would
prefer a 300mm F/4 with a 1.4 TC, a more flexible solution.

Then you have the choice:
rather expensive: 300 F/4 L IS + Canon TC
cheaper: 300 F/4 L (non IS) + Sigma/Tamron TC
even cheaper: 300 F/4 APO Macro HSM from Sigma + Tamron TC

It all depends on what you plan to do with it. The IS version is
good for closups (focuses at 1.5m) and if you shoot hand-held. The
non IS Canon prime is the sharpest of the series but focuses at
1.8m. The Sigma is the cheapest, focuses at 1.2m, but is not as
sharp.
That's the one I have. It is less sharp than my 70-200 f/4 Canon
zoom, but still better than mid-range Sigma zooms and faster anyway.
Be sure to get the HSM version (faster AF) and do not use a Sigma
TC with it (or you will lose AF).

--
=====================
Olivier Ffrench
http://www.offrench.net/photos
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top