Which of these thierd party lenses is the best?

[crusherjc]

I'm lookin at the following, and want to buy the best of the bunch. I have looked at a few reviews, but nothing consistant enough to make it a simple choice.
Sigma 135-400 (newest DG version)
Sigma 170-500
Tamron 200-500

and how would it stand up to the Minolta 100-400 APO if I could find one. Will be shooting it with a 7d and need 400mm (600mm with crop) length, but not necessary to go longer. Thats why the 135-400 looks good, but if one of the other two is better, I would pay the extra couple of dollars.
Thanks again to all....
Jim

 

[Rno]

-nt = no text

 

[Anthony Kunkel]

I think the Tamron 200-500 is great.
See my Zenfolio account for a few samples.
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http://www.chemicalzootopia.com

 

[GJBenn85]

Photozone rates the Tamron 200-500 the highest. I have the 170-500 from a trade, though I have hardly used it and now Sigma has it for repair. From the few pictures I took with the 170-500, and from pictures I have seen online from this lens, it seems okay at short distances but quickly loses resolution as the subject gets further away (defeats the purpose of a telephoto, doesn't it?).

I have been thinking about the Tamron 200-500 and I have read mostly good things about it. Sharp pictures, nice contrast, good color, quality construction. Downside is the lens is 19" long with the hood attached at 500mm!

 

[crusherjc]

I am going to Tetons/Yellowstone, so I hope to capture some wildlife with it. Bison, elk, bear, coyote if I'm lucky.......

 

[Gojhawks]

I have the Sigma 135-400 non-DG version and have been happy with it as long as I can stop down to f/8 or better. Here are couple wildlife shots with the 7D and the Sigma:
http://www.pbase.com/gojhawks/image/50131953 (Elk calf )
http://www.pbase.com/gojhawks/image/61221866 (Pelicans)

Of course these have been resized and the originals are sharper.

If money were no object and could find the KM 100-400 I would go for it as the pictures I have seen with it are great. For me I could not justify the difference in price. I really don't know much about the Tamron.