zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

I have the Sigma 150-500 lens using on Canon T5I and T3i cameras. Over all I have been pleased with the lens. But I want to take my photography to the next level. Is there a big difference between the quality and sharpness of the Sigma I have or the Canon 100-400 L lens that I am considering upgrading to?

Thanks,

zuzanne

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

At the wider apertures at the longer focal lenghs - Yes.
It also focusses faster.
I have used both lenses.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Consider the Sigma 150-600

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I have been thinking the same thing Zuzanne. I have the Nikon 800-400. It does a very nice job, but I would like to have more reach.:)

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

To get to the next level, you might want to consider a new body such as the 80D. That may make more difference than changing lenses. When you do change lenses, look very carefully at the new Sigma's. They are getting excellent reviews and are comparable to Canon at a substantially lower price.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

See what the pros have to say.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Buy the Canon version II
And this is coming from a Nikon guy who spends hours every day in the field. Everyone who shoots the Canon are happy. Not so many people who shoot the 150-600 are as happy. But again, this is coming from the users I see every day. Besides, the Canon looks so much asbetter too. So, be happy with your next purchase, buy the Canon. And thisis from a die hard Nikon guy. I almost went to Canon ( I shutter to think) because of this lens and what folks in the field were saying about it.

Jim Bob

No. However there would be a significant difference if you were talking version II of the Canon 100-400.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

If you can afford the 100-400 II.......GET IT! You'll never look back and you'll have it forever. it's built like a tank.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, there should be positive difference to the Canon - DEPENDING on:

Exactly how good a copy of the Sigma you have - if it has OS - it is a later model with better quality control.

It will behuve you to shoot the Sigma at 450mm instead of 500, and can stop down to f8 for most of your work - and hopefully your body is not ISO sensitive.

Exactly how good a copy of a Canon 100-400 you get if a used version 1. Ideally, you would want a very low mileage one or one that has been recently serviced/refurb.

At these focal lengths, it will also behuve you to have a camera body allowing micro focus adjustments.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Zuzanne,

You need to be a lot more specific...

There have been at least two versions of the Sigma 150-500mm... A more recent one with stabilization (OS) that was a distinct improvement over the earlier non-OS. (I'm not sure if there was an even earlier non-HSM version.)

There also are the original Canon 100-400L (with rather unusual push/pull zoom design... popular for bird in flight and airshow photography), as well as the newer 100-400L Mark II. Both have IS and USM. But the newer one has much better build (Lensrentals.com calls it the best-built zoom they've ever taken apart... comparable to $10,000 super teles)... much improved Image Stabilization... And even faster, far closer focusing USM. Of course, it's also more expensive!

Sigma also is now offering two different 150-600mm.... Their "C" or "consumer" grade at about half the cost of the Canon 100-400L II.... or their much beefier "S" or "sport" version that is a whole lot bigger and heavier, as well as closer in price and performance to the newer Canon zoom. There also is a Tamron SP 150-600mm VC USD that's pretty equivalent to the Sigma "C" in price and performance.

Pricewise...

Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM (discontinued)... ~$600 used
Sigma 150-600mm OS HSM "C"..... $1000
Tamron 150-600mm VC USD...... $1000
Canon 100-400L IS USM (original)... $1300 new, ~$1000 used
Sigma 150-600mm OS HSM "S"..... $2000
Canon 100-400L IS USM Mark II... $2100

And, just for fun....

Canon 200-400/4L IS USM w/built-in 1.4X... $11,000 (and about 8 lb.)!

I'd suggest you head on over to The-Digital-Picture.com and use their comparison tools. They've done careful lab-controlled test shots with most popular lenses on various cameras, so that you can compare side-by-side image samples. This can be quite helpful, separating the chaff from the wheat so-to-speak. You also can compare lens specifications side-by-side.... things such as weight, size, close focusing ability, etc., etc. Dpreview.com has some side-by-side comparison capabilities, too... as well as excellent in-depth reviews. But, again, you need to be VERY specific to be sure you are comparing the correct lenses with each other.

Just be sure to select to see the results with the lenses on a camera similar to your 18MP models. (The website might not have tests shot with T3i or T5i, specifically... but T4i, 60D or the original 7D all use similar 18MP sensors).

It also depends a lot upon what you want to shoot. You didn't tell us anything about that, so all this is a bit of a guessing game for us. In general I recommend lenses over cameras... But depending upon what you shoot and your budget, I have to agree that a newer, higher performance camera model such as an 80D or 7DII also might benefit you greatly. Both camera and lens upgrade would be ideal... But, of course, that can get pricey!

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

Also ponder the fact that when you bring an image into physical existence, photo paper will only accept (about) 240 DIP--no matter what you throw at it.
Stan

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

I have the 100-400 and the Tamron 150-600 and use the Tamron more because of the reach. I think the Canon is sharper but not much. I get really sharp photos with the Tamron and have read here that some think the Sigma is better. Hope this helps.

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

Thank you all for your advice. I do have the Sigma 150-500 with OS. I would be buying a new lens if I buy the Canon 100-400 L with IS. You all have given me much to think about. Since I am retired and on fixed income I must spend my photo dollars wisely.

zuzanne