Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Hi all. I've been mulling around the idea of possibly getting a new-to-me lens after the first of the year. While I'd LOVE to get the 100-400 version II it is way beyond my budget, even used. With that said, I'm wondering what personal insights that you may have on the following 2 lenses:

Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

and the

Sigma 150-600 f/5-6.3 DS OS HSM Contemporary.

I'm a bit hesitant on the Canon lens because it's a push/pull zoom and I've never experienced that on such a large lens.

I'm a bit hesitant on the Sigma because of the weight and because I don't think it will work with my Canon 1.4x teleconverter.

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Why don’t you try the push-pull zoom on a 100-400 and see what you think? Some actually prefer it because it’s faster. I was concerned when I bought one because all my other zooms are twist, but it wasn’t an issue for me - I found it intuitive. The MKII has reportedly better IQ, but the MKI is quite satisfactory and less half the price. Lightly unused MKIs are available for $800-$1,000 and work very nicely with the Canon 1.4x extender with a barely noticeable decrease in IQ. Remember that the combination will be f8 at full zoom, so make sure you camera will AF at f8 (unless you want to manually focus) if you plan to use the extender with it.

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Thanks TriX. I'm not sure where I can get my hands on a lens to try out first, but you seem quite happy with it, it seems.

I shoot a T6i. Will it tell me in my manual if it will zoom at f8 or not?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I am happy with it. I looked at the T6i manual, and it appears (T6i owners correct me if I’m mistaken) that the minimum AF focus aperture is f5.6, so the camera would not autofocus with the extender installed, but would with just the lens. You may be able to tape the lens contacts to fool the camera into autofocusing at f8, but I haven’t tried it.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

For me the Canon 100-400 f4.5 IS USM with push pull zoom was not a problem. A bigger problem was the weight. Eventually I ended up selling the lens although I took some very good pictures. Good luck.
/George

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I owned the older Canon and liked it. I did upgrade to the new mk II.
If I still had the mk I I believe I could get along fine with it.
The Sigma C is tied with the Tamron G2 for image quality among the 150-600 lenses. It is built lighter, not as weather proof and slower AF. It is also less $.
I presently use a 100-400 mk II (with and without 1.4x) and a Tamron G2.

As long as you treat it well, stay out of rain etc the Sigma C should do well by you.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For really tight budgets I recommend the older Sigma 100-300 f4 - used with Tamron SP/Kenko pro/or Canon 1.4X's. It also works GREAT with the Canon 2X II - manual focus only tho.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I was happy with original version of the 100-400L. You mentioned two zooms, but do you see yourself mostly at 400mm and / or have a shorter zoom already? You might instead find a 300 f/4L IS (it can be extended for longer) or a 400 f/5.6L to be better options and within your budget. Both would be lighter than the zoom and definitely sharper than the older 100-400L. Finally, have you looked at used copies of the candidate lenses given you're shopping with a budget?

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

Hi CHG CANON,

I currently use my 70-200 f4 L with 1.4x teleconverter and often use the full focal range, depending on subjects (everything from a single leaf to wildlife). I feel, and maybe not correctly, that a fixed prime would stifle my creative opportunities.

Buying used is a no brainer for me. I have purchased a few lenses and my latest body as preowned items from Ebay and have never been disappointed.

Thank you for your input.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

People either love or hate push/pull zooms. I know several people who really enjoy their Canon 100-400. I personally don't like push/pull, but that's just me (so I jumped on the II version of the 100-400).

The push/pull zoom has been particularly popular among birders (for bird in flight images) and air show photographers. Anywhere the fast zooming action is beneficial.

That earlier version of the Canon lens is excellent too... not quite as sharp as the II... but darned good.

DON'T put a "protection" filter on the push/pull version of the 100-400mm. For some reason even a high quality, multi-coated filter tends to make that lens "go soft". The II is fine with filters.

Also be aware that the push/pull version's Image Stabilization needs to be turned off at the switch, should you ever use it locked down on a tripod or in any other situation where there is no movement. It' sgot the form of IS that goes into sort of a feedback loop and creates movement and image blur, when there is no movement to counteract. Since the lens is more often used handheld (or on a monopod or tripod with a gimbal), this usually isn't any problem (I've used a pair of 300mm f/4 with similar IS and never had any problems with them at all). The II has an upgraded form of IS that turns itself off when not needed.

If you don't want to go as big as the Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm.... an alternative they both offer is their own 100-400s. These were introduced within the last year and between the two I would probably prefer the Tamron because it can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (which I consider essential on a lens reaching 400mm, especially when it's used on an APS-C camera). The Sigma 100-400 doesn't have any option for or means of adding a tripod mounting ring (both the Canon 100-400s include them, and both Sigma and Tamron 150-600s come with tripod rings).

The Sigma and Tamron 100-400s are are the same or less weight than the Canon 100-400s... 3 to 3.5 lb. The 150-600 Sigma Contemporary and Tamron G1 and G2 are around 4.5 lb. The Sigma "Sport" 150-600 is about 5.5 or 6 lb.

The Canon 100-400mm is 2/3 stop faster than the Tamron or Sigma 100-400s, through most of their range. Especially the Sigma, which starts out at f/5 and drops to f/5.6 almost immediately at around 110mm, then to f/6.3 by about 180mm... the Canon starts at f/4.5 and is f/5 through 310mm, where it stops down to f/5.6 and no farther.

You can find a TC to fit any of them, but won't have autofocus on a T6i if you use any teleconverter on any of these lenses.... 100-400 or 150-600. The T6i is "f/5.6 limited". These lenses are already f/5.6, so adding even a 1.4X will make things too dim for the camera to focus. A 2X would even make the viewfinder too dim to use for manual focusing (Live View manual focus may be possible, but is slower... FYI T7i, 77D, 80D and 7D Mk II have f/8 focus capabilities).

When it comes to image quality, teleconverters almost always work better with prime lenses than they do with more optically complex zooms. There are some exceptions, usually specific teleconverters with specific lenses. For example, the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS "II" works very well with the EF 1.4X III teleconverter. That lens isn't bad with the 2X III either. I can tell you from experience that the older version 70-200/2.8 IS was not great, but okay with 1.4X II and not very good at all with 2X II. I don't know how the new III version of the lens works with TCs yet.

I've had the Canon 100-400mm II for two years now.... and to be totally honest, I've never had need for a teleconverter on it!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might consider renting a copy of the new 100-400L and / or the 300 f/4L IS. The zoom would be to give a sense of the size and weight , the prime to give a sense of the size, weight and extension options - 300 native / 420 extended. I say this because I retained my 70-200 f/4L even though I have the new 100-400L. The shorter zoom is so much lighter when the subject matter for the day falls in the zoom range of this lens. The longer zoom is very hand-holdable and the superior performer. But, if I don't need it, I don't take it. Obviously, a leaf you can walk up on and frame however you desire, but I find that wildlife is typically going to be / begin at 400mm.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Try renting the Canon, LensRentals is good to work with— easy get, easy return.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Canon 60D and Sigma 100-300 f4 W/Tamron SP 1.4X @ 420mm from monopod......

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(Download)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I had the MK I and no issues with using the push pull (I also have the 80-200mm f4 L FD which is push pull)
It is a stellar lens and would be better than the Sigma.
I went with the MK II because I could afford it, sold the MK I and the MK II is better than the MK I but again the MK I is no slouch in image quality.
Between the 2 choices you are considering go with the MK I and the 1.4 TC MK III. You should not be disappointed.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Inhale had the Canon Push-Pull for years but went to the Tamron 150-600 and love it.

Go to a store and try them.