TheLensMan Loc: Jense Beach, Florida

I like to shot wildlife, sports, and air shows. My question is which would you reconmend would be the better lens, canon 100-400mm lens, or the sigma 150-500mm, and why would you reconmend that lens?
Thanks for your input in advance.
The Lens Man

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

You need to read the previous posts

Search using the search facility this has been covered many many times

Here is just one example

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-108600-1.html

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Gezzzzzzzz JR cut him some slack here don't ya see he's new to the forum .

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

You will get a mixed response here on that one , i myself have the sigma 150-500 and love it while others go for the cannon , if possible to rent both lens for a few days and test them yourself to see which suits your likes and needs is my best answer .
If you scroll through the past posts you will find many discussions listed and opinions , btw welcome to the hog

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I have offered a reply that helps, first informing him about the search facility then attaching a post, why is it whenever a USA member posts EXACTLY what I have said you say nothing

This is NOT the first time you have picked me up on this, start doing the same for other members because it looks clearly like you only have a beef with one, me.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Maybe it has to do with the way you come across, perhaps a less curt reply seeing from the profile they are a new user and perhaps not familiar with the ability to go back n read prior posts, n not even the good manners to welcome a new user to the forum.
Perhaps its like the old joke where the lad is bemoanin why me lord and all of a sudden a voice is heard saying well JR its something about you that just pisses me off .
You sort of remind me of my ex father in law, no matter what you've done he's done it before and can always do it better and won't hesitait to tell you so.
I am far from being a expert and is the first to admit it , i only offer my opinions .
I will try to improve on my manners in the future .

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Ill tell you what, when I see you saying the same thing to USA members I will bother to listen to you

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

And as soon as i see them responding in the same manner as you , i will bother to listen to you, sound fair enuff .
Just for general knowledge i do have some very good Brit freinds , 1 in particualar and her husband i have known for going on 8 yrs now and we do speak on the phone .
She is a very lovely 60 something yrs old and her hubby is from the USA and they met and married after meeting online in a chat room .

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

What kind of budget do you have? The Sig is about $500 less than the Canon, at the moment. The Canon is a venerable workhorse in the bag of many tens of thousands of Canon shooters. It does have some peculiarities, though, e.g. the push-pull zoom. As far as IQ, the Canon is probably a touch better but it may not be noticeable unless you pixel-peep. The Canon may hold it's value better as well. Other than that, you'd probably be well served by either lens. The Sigma has a pretty good review record on Amazon, 4.4 stars, the Canon is 4.6 stars.

If its feasible, I'd suggest renting each one for a few days and that way you'd get a feel for their weight and user-friendliness as well.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Just to add a comment, which is kind of related to prferences. I Like push pull lenses. Find them very. Convenient and easy to use and think they focus better, faster. My preference. I have 3 of them

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

JR! - I am with you. Why GO OVER what had been done to death. Just give them the link. If it seems curt - which it does not - grow up.

Dennstedt Loc: Ciudad de Merida, Yucatan, MX

Actually, I have a third lens you might want to consider. First, I've owned (and shot extensively with) all three lenses.

1. EF 100-400mm f/4 - 5.6L IS USM zoom. I had a bad experience with this lens. It was a bad copy and ALWAYS shot soft. I sent it back twice to Canon, but to no avail. Sold it with 'complete' disclosure to the buyer. I found it to be soft, heavy and I (personally) didn't like the push/pull zoom.

2. Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 zoom. Compared to my bad copy of Canon this was an improvement. It is very slow at 6.3, and a very big lens. A relatively decent lens for the price, but not L-quality.

3. My personal recommendation: Because I always shot at the extreme FL of both lenses mentioned above (I rarely used the zoom range), I finally opted for one of the best values from Canon. The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM (non-IS) prime lens is OUTSTANDING. You can still buy it brand new for about $1,000 USD. It is tack sharp, lightweight and built like a tank. I'm usually shooting at shutter speeds of 1/1000s to 1/2500s for my BIF and wildlife photography, so 'IS' is not required. I would opt for this lens, or a GOOD COPY of the 100-400mm if you absolutely need the zoom (but it will be heavier and costlier). The Sigma 150-500 is okay, but for the same price you can get Canon L-glass (no comparison).

Some will disagree, this is only my opinion. But I make my living shooting wildlife, and this lens is for me.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

I would like to thank you for taking the time to give this person a real and personal response instead of posting some link and sending him on his merry way, yes i know its been discussed many times here . My ? is whats the law that makes you read every post and that when someone ask for personal exeriance they don't deserve some one's time and atten.

Dennstedt Loc: Ciudad de Merida, Yucatan, MX

Well, thank you. I've been shooting for a lifetime, but I'm getting old now, and I find it difficult to navigate through the various threads on a forum. I always appreciate it when someone gives me a break and provides an answer. I am not denigrating anyone else's comment, I just know that I need a helping hand once in a while. And I absolutely LOVE talking to the new young (and not so young) photographers coming up (some with extraordinary talent and/or potential). It's satisfying to give back a little, I've been given so much in my life. I shoot professionally, but it was a long road to get there ... and I would like to think maybe we can help others along the way. Hell, I ain't no saint (that's for damn sure), but a helping hand never hurt anyone. Thank you for your comment(s).

TheLensMan Loc: Jense Beach, Florida

It looks like we are both new to this site. First time I've been in volved in a blog site. Thank you for the information it been very helpful.

The Lens Man