CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you have the 100-400L, why are you flirting with a 3rd party lens? If you're still shooting an EOS 5DIII, just add the 1.4x III and jump to an effective 560mm retaining the AF through the f/8 configuration, alas only at the center AF point. That's whether using the 100-400 old-style trombone or the new 100-400L II. If tracking wildlife or sports, you probably have the subject in the middle of frame anyways. Newer EOS bodies, even down to the EOS T7i, offer AF points around the entire frame at f/8.

What is important with the extender installed is using AI Servo to keep the AF always active, something you should be doing already with all your shooting and all lenses.

Put the GAS away or onto something more likely to deliver tangible differences, not something these 3rd party lenses can deliver against either of the premium 100-400L zooms, even when extended.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I have a Sigma 150=600C and love it. Have had it about 5yrs and no complaints. I have used it on a D7200, D810 and a D850, all with great results. I have used it for BIF and bugs. These two pics were with a D810.

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gwilliams6

FYI, I also owned the Canon 100mm-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens and loved it too, but I would use my Sigma 150-600mm when I needed the extra reach. Loved using both of them. The Sigma is a bargain for its price and excellent performance .

Canon doesn't have a monopoly on good EF lenses, I used both Canon EF and Sigma and Tamron lenses on my Canons with equally good results.

It isn't GAS to spend less on the Sigma and still get excellent image quality. Don't listen to anyone who says it is. Some folks just have Canon blinders over their eyes.

I have over four decades professional experience using Nikon and Canon gear (both brands). So I have as much experience using Canon gear in all situations around the world for all subjects as about anyone here, from Pro Sports, to Breaking News, Celebrities to Presidents and Royalty, Fashion to Food, Wildlife to War conflict and more.

Cheers

gwilliams6

Excellent shots, Cheers

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

I sold my pristine condition 100-600 to KEH a few months ago. Look for a used one first and KEH is great to do business with.

tdozier3 Loc: Northern Illinois

I have the Contemporary 150-600 for my Nikon D7500 and an extremely happy with it. It's light enough for me to shoot hand held too, which is a big plus. You will love the extra 200mm of reach. Here is a couple sample shots and a link to a video comparing the Contemporary with the Sport that was the deciding factor for me. https://youtu.be/2jN_6ApM0Xg

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can save the most money by not buying equipment you don't need. Especially, equipment missing the 5 most important brand marks in photography: C A N O N

As a reminder, I regularly post examples of the 100-400L II extended to 560mm with the 1.4x III, here's the most recent selection of images in the UHH Photo Gallery: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-718057-1.html

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Pretty hard to argue about the sharpness of those images Paul - the combination certainly works.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have used the Canon 300 2.8 with 2X and now use the 400 5.6 with 1.4X. I have used the Sigma Sport and now have the Tamron G2 and I can tell you the Canons are BETTER ! - period. You can look at my UHH gallery posts.....
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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I concur.

The 300 f/2.8L 'doubled' to an effective 600mm is better than the 100-400 at 560 for two reasons:

1) The sharpness of the prime is just plain better, even with a 2x extender added.

2) For all EOS DSLRs, the 'doubled' prime is still an f/5.6 max aperture. Therefore, all your AF points are available, from the lowest / oldest EOS Rebel through the newest EOS 1DXIII.

Of course, buying an EF 300 f/2.8L prime could be twice the cost of the 100-400L II, but the used prices on even the newest II version of the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II are now approaching the new cost of the 100-400L II. Shop around and see if there's a better way to release that GAS.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Great shots🏆🏆🏆🏆 I have it too, and it IS super 👍👍👍👍👍

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Superb shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Excellent 💙💙💙💙💙

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

I'm just guessing, but I suspect you mean the Tamron 150-600mm G2. I have one and I agree wholeheartedly with you. I too would suggest that the OP check it out.

Michael1079 Loc: Indiana

Chris, I also shoot Canon (5DMkIV) and I have the Sigma 150 - 600 Contemporary lens. I did look hard at the Sports lens, as that is mostly what I shoot (soccer). In the end, there simply wasn't enough difference to compel me to pay the extra cost for the Sports Lens

I did find this, which may be something to help guide your thoughts:

Sports lens is roughly 2x more expensive
Sports lens has 24 elements in 16 groups while the Contemporary has 20 in 14
Sports lens has two FLD ("F" Low Dispersion with performance similar to fluorite) and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements vs. one FLD and three SLD glass elements
Sports lens is significantly more-ruggedly constructed – alloy barrel and lens hood vs. composite
Sports lens is moderately larger
Sports lens is significantly heavier – 6.96 lbs vs. 4.49 lbs (3.16kg vs. 2.04kg)
Sports lens has a larger, smoother manual focus ring
Sports lens has dust & splash proof "construction" while the Contemporary has a dust & splash proof "mount"
Sports lens has a stronger, non-removeable tripod ring vs. removeable on the Contemporary
Contemporary lens has a 1/3 stop wider aperture over a small subset of the focal length range
Contemporary lens utilizes smaller filters – 95mm vs. 105mm

Model f/5.0 f/5.6 f/6.3
Sigma 150-600 Contemporary 150-179mm 180-387mm 388-600mm
Sigma 150-600 Sports 150-184mm 185-320mm 321-600mm

Rankings:
Image Quality
1. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary & Tamron 150-600 G2
2. Sigma 150-600 Sports
3. Tamron 150-600 G1

Build Quality
1. Tamron 150-600 G2 & Sigma 150-600 Sports
2. Tamron 150-600 G1
3. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary

AF Responsiveness/Accuracy/Consistency
1. Sigma 150-600 Sports & Tamron 150-600 G2
2. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary
3. Tamron 150-600 G1

Value
1. Sigma 150-600 Contemporary
2. Tamron 150-600 G2
3. Tamron 150-600 G1
4. Sigma 150-600 Sports

This article may be useful to you in deciding:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=19903#:~:text=Which%20150-600mm%20Lens%20Should%20I%20Get%3F%20%20,150-184mm%20%20%20185-320mm%20%20%20321-600mm%20