vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

These were taken around 11:00AM today with a Canon 60D and a Canon 100-400L that I've taken on approval (It's mine if I break it!). The other option would be to take this back and get a Sigma 50 (or 100)-500mm. Let me know if you have an opinion about these lenses. I wanted more reach than my Pentax K-7/Pentax 300mm allows.

Any other CCs are always welcome.

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martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I have several friends that have the larger type lens. One has the canon fixed 400mm, weighs a ton, the other has the nikon 200-400mm, weighs a ton and is as long as your leg. I can out shoot them with my little 70-300mm for birds in flight. Don't get me wrong, when they nail a shot it's a great shot, but these are the best on the market. Since purchasing these long lens, both have cut their birding time by 2/3 as they are disappointed at the missed shots, plus the weight to carry around all day. If you want to sit in the seat of your car or in a blind somewhere they work great, if your the type to hunt you prey down, you might want to rent one for a few days.. We have over a dozen hoggers here that have bought the big sigs on advice from other hoggers, but I Rarely See Any photos taken with them, makes you wonder............ If someone tries to sell you on one of these big lens/tell you How Great they are/, make sure they send you to a link with dozens of shots of BIF/that They Took/not of a bird sitting on some log a mile away..

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

These seem sharper than those you posted in Photo Gallery, though I have neither the expertise nor the computer to judge :) I do know that #4 is absolutely stunning!

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Good advice. I appreciate it. I'm used to lugging around the 300, but you're right about BIF being difficult, plus the field of view is narrower.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

These images are great ! Since you are on a 60D Canon with no micro focus adjust, you will be taking a higher focus/accuracy risk with the Sigma. Do you know the history of the 100-400 ? If it has seen little use or has been serviced by Canon recently I would prefer the Canon. There are a lot of things that wear out internally on the 100-400 causing poor performance. And, if the push/pull is not bothersome for you. But, as I said these images look really good to me.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

I think they're sharper due to better light in general and the learning curve (or maybe "leaning curve"). The birds in trees were all handheld. The more recent in the series (BIF/Bon Water) were done while I stabilized the camera on a fence.

I have some time to practice with it to see whether it's going to work for me.

Thanks for posting your opinion Linda. It's very helpful.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

It's a brand new lens. Would you have a better suggestion for a lens like this that wouldn't have as much chance of mechanical failure? I'm not into taking big risks. I thought the two IS options were interesting, but of course that adds to something else that can go wrong. I'm quickly getting used to the push/pull in the hour or so I've played with it.

Rabbott Loc: Grass Valley , California

i'm not sure what your looking for, and you know me,, i'm no expert,, but those are incredile,, composition, clarity,, just great !!! where were they taken?

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

#3 was taken below Gnoss field. The others were taken behind Costco in Novato.

Thanks Randy.

Rabbott Loc: Grass Valley , California

Costco,,,damn,, they REALLY DO have everything !!!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are doing fast action/wildlife, IS is of questionable advantage. IMHO, it is better to go without IS but use a well articulated monopod ( $300) and good technique for stabilization. The Canon 300 non IS with 1.4X and the 400 5.6 are very simple lenses - tried and true. The 400 is especially light and east to handle - but do not let that fool you into thinking you can always handhold - for practised BIF maybe..... otherwise on a monopod. But, for BIF there is a certain advange for a zoom - where you can zoom out to get the target in AF and then zoom in as you track. This is most easily accomplished with zoom lenses that do not extend and can be zoomed with one finger - these include: Canon 70-200 2.8 ( preferably the II version ) with 2X, Sigma 100-300 F4 with 1.4X and Sigma 120-300 2.8 with 1.4 or 2X. Lenses that do not extend, also stay in balance on whatever support you are using which makes life a little easier. The Sigma 100-300 F4 W1.4X really works well in this regard - it is what I use - but they are discontinued and only available used - and again you have the misfocusing risk. I use mine with a 60D and guess I just got lucky with the focusing as mine is great.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Incredibly, KEH right now has the 100-300 Sigma for $399 and the 120-300 2.8 for $1120 !........

Roy Hakala Loc: Red Wing, MN

I have the Canon 100-400 and really like it. I have not tried the "Sigmonster" (I think that is its nickname) so I cannot compare, but I have no trouble carrying or aiming the Canon 100-400, and the push-pull zoom makes it very easy to find the bird, zoom in, and compose the shot. I find it easier to use and sharper than my Canon 70-300 (that I rarely use any more) with a 1.4 Kenko teleconverter. Just my own opinion here, no hard facts to back it up.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

I'd be duplicating some of my other lenses. What I want (I think) is more reach - 400-500mm. I have a mirrored 500 that fits on a Pentax body, but it's a piece of junk most of the time. The dof is minuscule and I rarely get a decent shot with it.

Thanks for the information. It might be useful to another viewer.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, that is mostly why I mentioned it... Still, keep in mind that I mention them only for use with a 1.4 or 2X TC -which makes them 420 and 600mm respectively. Some people claim they get useable AF with the 100-400 and 1.4X which I cannot absolutely confirm - but I can confirm you can manually focus the 100-400 with 1.4X.