500 mm Bang for the Buck

I'm looking for the best comprmise among cost, size/weight, and image quality in a approx 500 mm F4 to F 5.6 lens for getting into birding. I assume the Canon 500/4 IS is the best optically as well as the least portable and priciest. Any thoughts on the how the following will suffer in comparison? Considering I could get the Sigma 100-300/2.8 plus the 500/4.5 plus two tcs for the price of the 500/4 the choice isn't all that clear to me. Note that I'm not going to be making a living with these tools.

Sigma 100-300/2.8 (+ 2X tc) $1900 @ 5.7 lbs
Sigma 500/4.5 $3299 @ 6.8 lbs
Canon 300/2.8 IS (+2X tc) $3900 @ 6 lbs
Canon 400/4 DO IS (+ 1.4X tc) $5300 @4.3 lbs
Canon 500/4 IS $5500 @8.5 lbs

Any other options I should be looking at? Thanks.

could get a Sigma 50-500 f6.3 is not much slower than 5.6.

http://www.deltainternational.com/store/Item_SGL50%2D500C.htm

Jim

http://users.erols.com/jamesgkelly/c2100uz.html

Charles

you didnt say how good it is supposed to be> if you are happy with the quality of a zoom the Sigma 50-500 is probably hard to beat for its price. Next up more expensive but better quality and IS the Canon 100-400 but still a zoom and both slow.

Next up at a decent price either the Sigma 500 F4.5 or a used canon 500mm 4.5 L (2500-2800). Next a used 500 F4 L and then of course the ultimate 500 F4 L IS.

So from a few hundred all the way to $6K you have the choice

I chose a used 500 F4.5 L until i sell it and get a 500 F4 L IS and it is a very nice piece of glass. Check the link in my signature for images taken with it.

--
Michael Salzlechner
StarZen Digital Imaging
http://www.starzen.com/imaging

photos at http://www.salzlechner.com/photo

Charles Carroll said:

I'm looking for the best comprmise among cost, size/weight, and
image quality in a approx 500 mm F4 to F 5.6 lens for getting into
birding. I assume the Canon 500/4 IS is the best optically as well
as the least portable and priciest. Any thoughts on the how the
following will suffer in comparison? Considering I could get the
Sigma 100-300/2.8 plus the 500/4.5 plus two tcs for the price of
the 500/4 the choice isn't all that clear to me. Note that I'm not
going to be making a living with these tools.

Sigma 100-300/2.8 (+ 2X tc) $1900 @ 5.7 lbs
Sigma 500/4.5 $3299 @ 6.8 lbs
Canon 300/2.8 IS (+2X tc) $3900 @ 6 lbs
Canon 400/4 DO IS (+ 1.4X tc) $5300 @4.3 lbs
Canon 500/4 IS $5500 @8.5 lbs

Any other options I should be looking at? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Sigma 300mm F2.8, fantastic lens and half the price of the Canon equiv. Get the 1.4x and 2x and you have a half decent setup that is good value for money.

--
Rich Claypole - (Wannabe Sports Photographer)

http://www.FootballPics.net
http://www.kraftikards.co.uk

Canon EOS 1D, D60
Canon EF 50mm F1.8, EF 28-135mm IS
Sigma 300mm F2.8 + 70-200 F2.8
Sigma 1.4x and 2x Tele-Converters

I just ordered a 500mm f/4 IS for wildlife/birding after Canon loaned me a 300mm f/2.8 (non-IS) for 3 weeks.

A few comments :

1. IS - Using a 2x TC on the 300mm showed me how important good lens technique and support are with super telephoto at low shutter speeds. I also managed to pull of a few 1/125 handheld 300/2x shots but if I had IS in that situation, I might have got the photo I was trying to get.

2. The 300mm w/2x is OK but image contrast and sharpness isn't that great. In my case, I feel I am well served by using my 70-200 f/2.8 IS w/1.4x TC, and using my $$ for the quality and reach of the 500mm. If you find yourself using 300 w/2x most of the time, you'll wish you bought a 500 or 600.

3. Save some money for tripod + gimbal if you don't already have it (for 300-500, most popular seems to be Gitzo 1325 + Sidekick, I bought the full Wimberley head instead). Holding a heavy lens on a tripod w/o gimbal will wear your back/shoulders out alot faster.

I just went through this myself. But mostly to shoot sports. I bought a used Sigma 50-500 and have shot about 500 pictures with it. All from a tripod. I'm not a microscope guy, I do this for fun, but they seem pretty sharp and the color resembles what I remember. Not bad for $500. But you don't get that nice bokeh that comes with bigger aperatures.

So, back to the drawing board. Bought a 300mm f2.8 IS after reading everything I could find on the 300, 400 and 500 lenses. What did it for me was the review of the 300 on Luminous Landscape.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/300mm_f_2_8.shtml

I think the 300 gives you lots of flexibility, lighter weight and as the above article points out incredible optical quality.

Good luck.

Tony
Tony

Mike Salzlechner said:

Charles

you didnt say how good it is supposed to be> if you are happy with
the quality of a zoom the Sigma 50-500 is probably hard to beat for
its price. Next up more expensive but better quality and IS the
Canon 100-400 but still a zoom and both slow.

Next up at a decent price either the Sigma 500 F4.5 or a used canon
500mm 4.5 L (2500-2800). Next a used 500 F4 L and then of course
the ultimate 500 F4 L IS.

So from a few hundred all the way to $6K you have the choice

I chose a used 500 F4.5 L until i sell it and get a 500 F4 L IS and
it is a very nice piece of glass. Check the link in my signature
for images taken with it.

--
Michael Salzlechner
StarZen Digital Imaging
http://www.starzen.com/imaging

photos at http://www.salzlechner.com/photo

Click to expand...

There's no 500 f4.0 L..only the 500 4.5L USM(old one) and 500 4.0L IS USM version(wich I have,btw,and it's a fantastic lens)
--
Clay P.

Sigma's 50-500 would be good too. Not to mention you can pick one up for under 700 dollars. It is VERY sharp. I noticed you have one zoom in your list so I thought I would add this one for ya.

Charles Carroll said:

I'm looking for the best comprmise among cost, size/weight, and
image quality in a approx 500 mm F4 to F 5.6 lens for getting into
birding. I assume the Canon 500/4 IS is the best optically as well
as the least portable and priciest. Any thoughts on the how the
following will suffer in comparison? Considering I could get the
Sigma 100-300/2.8 plus the 500/4.5 plus two tcs for the price of
the 500/4 the choice isn't all that clear to me. Note that I'm not
going to be making a living with these tools.

Sigma 100-300/2.8 (+ 2X tc) $1900 @ 5.7 lbs
Sigma 500/4.5 $3299 @ 6.8 lbs
Canon 300/2.8 IS (+2X tc) $3900 @ 6 lbs
Canon 400/4 DO IS (+ 1.4X tc) $5300 @4.3 lbs
Canon 500/4 IS $5500 @8.5 lbs

Any other options I should be looking at? Thanks.

Click to expand...

--
Photo Noob