Zoom lens choice

TangoAlpha · 9 Mar 2009 at 13:02

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM + 2x teleconverter
Sigma 100-300mm F4 EX DG IF HSM + 1.4x teleconverter
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 RF DG OS HSM

I'd like to buy a medium length zoom lens with the best image quality that I can afford. Preferably not too heavy either, lol. Usage will be portraits (at the shorter end) plus wildlife and motorsports.

My price range is around £1000 but I don't need to spend all of it. Any suggestions as to the choices above? Any other suggestions?

Messiah Khan · 9 Mar 2009 at 13:05

Canon 70-200mm f4?
Canon 70-200mm f2.8? (Not sure how much these go for though tbh)

Derek W · 9 Mar 2009 at 13:18

I just bought a canon 70 - 300 mm f4 - 5.6 IS USM not had a chance to use it yet as it was crap weather up here (for a change). not sure if you'd want to look at that or whether you're looking at something a bit beefier? Cost me £469.

A.N.Other · 9 Mar 2009 at 13:21

I have the Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS and 2x converter. If you're wanting image quality, then an option with the 2x is not the one for you. By itself, that sigma equivalent is an excellent lens, though.

neilw · 9 Mar 2009 at 15:24

Derek W said:
I just bought a canon 70 - 300 mm f4 - 5.6 IS USM not had a chance to use it yet as it was crap weather up here (for a change). not sure if you'd want to look at that or whether you're looking at something a bit beefier? Cost me £469.

Wow I got mine about 2 months ago for £350. Very please with mine. and glad I purchhased it when I did.

Amp34 · 9 Mar 2009 at 16:31

Used 300 f/4 IS (or even the non IS) and a used 70-200 f/4? I Know it is not a ssingle zoom lens but you should be able to get both for around £1000 and the IQ would be about as good as you can get. Add a 1.4x TC on when you get a bit more money and you could have a very nice setup indeed.

PinkFloyd · 9 Mar 2009 at 16:47

I've got a 70-200 f/2.8 Sigma. Not had a chance to take a huge amount of images yet, but those that I have taken have really impressed me. It's one very nice lens. I've heard it is nice with the 1.4x teleconverter but not so much cop with the 2x.

Derek W · 9 Mar 2009 at 17:05

neilw said:
Wow I got mine about 2 months ago for £350. Very please with mine. and glad I purchhased it when I did.

Ok ok rub it in why dont you!

mine was a rash purchase though, was looking at it when it was £399.

turtle1000 · 10 Mar 2009 at 01:30

What Amp34 said, although I might go for the 400mm F5.6 over the 300, depending on what I was going to do with it.

BUFF · 10 Mar 2009 at 20:43

if you need the 400mm then the 100-400 L IS.
It'll probably beat the Sigma 100-300 f4 +TC - my new Sony 70-400 beats my Sigma 100-300 f4 let alone with a TC added.