Canon or Sigma, that is the question! (Page 2): You might wait a while since Tamron is coming out with a 150-600mm lens. There is no price as of yet but there should be in a few weeks.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

You might wait a while since Tamron is coming out with a 150-600mm lens. There is no price as of yet but there should be in a few weeks. There should be reviews on it at about that time....Rich

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

Tradscot, Wild life is my target also some scenery. I only use Sigma lenses on Sigma cameras. When I have time to focus I believe the pics come out very sharp. You could check out my web site for verification:
www.robinsnaturepics.smugmug.com. All were taken with the Sigma 120-300mm plus extenders and their 300-800mm telephotos. If the Sigma only opens up to f/8 I'd recommend going for an f/5,6 or better apt. A lot of wild life is shot at the beginning or end of the day and you need all the light you can get. If you can tolerate grain shoot in the high ISO range. Good Luck, Robin

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

bobmcculloch wrote:

For wildlife I think I'd go with the Sigma, highly spoken of, Bob.

When I used the sigma 150-500 I liked it and now my son is using it and getting great Pictures

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

bigwolf40 wrote:

You might wait a while since Tamron is coming out with a 150-600mm lens. There is no price as of yet but there should be in a few weeks. There should be reviews on it at about that time....Rich

I agree with "bigwolf40" on this thread. Tamron has come a long way since they introduced the Tamron 200-500mm lens a few years ago. Tamron has just introduced the Tamron SP 150-600mm VC USD lens. Note, this lens will have SP glass, which is Tamrons version of "L" quality, and their new version of VC (Vibration Control). Since this lens is "SP" it will come with Tamrons own software for RAW processing. I just bought the Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC USD lens, and have used the included software. Mostly it removes over 90% of chromatic aberration, from the RAW image. The cost of the lens has not been announced yet, but should be available in mid February. Take a look at Canon Rumors website, not only is the Tamron listed there but other "rumored" lens are there too, including Canon.

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

bobmcculloch wrote:

For wildlife I think I'd go with the Sigma, highly spoken of, Bob.

Thanks Bob, appreciate your thoughts!
Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

Bill Emmett wrote:

I agree with "bigwolf40" on this thread.... (show quote)

Thanks Bill, I had not even considered Tamron but as a result of the info coming out about the " new " lens I guess it's back to the drawing board. news.cnet.com has prices and release details and dpreview.com has the technical specs of this 150-600mm biggie. Just as well I'm not in a hurry!
Regards, Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

mborn wrote:

When I used the sigma 150-500 I liked it and now my son is using it and getting great Pictures

Thanks for your comment Bob, seems the start of a family tradition is well under way.
Bill

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

Tradscot wrote:

Thanks Bill, I had not even considered Tamron but as a result of the info coming out about the " new " lens I guess it's back to the drawing board. news.cnet.com has prices and release details and dpreview.com has the technical specs of this 150-600mm biggie. Just as well I'm not in a hurry!
Regards, Bill

I have the sigma 150-500 and have had great results with it. I have recently bought the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 and couldn't be happier with it, if they are coming out with a new zoom to 600mm I would wait and add that lens to your comparison.

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

Robin Poole wrote:

Tradscot, Wild life is my target also some scener... (show quote)

Thanks for your reply Robin, I thought the choice would be relatively easy, but it's not. Liked your photos, nice! At my level of ability, I can tolerate almost anything, makes for a basis for improvement.........and at times, frustration!
Regards, Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

greg vescuso wrote:

I have the sigma 150-500 and have had great results with it. I have recently bought the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 and couldn't be happier with it, if they are coming out with a new zoom to 600mm I would wait and add that lens to your comparison.

Thanks Greg, I guess there is not much more to do except wait!
Regards, Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

ASR666 wrote:

the 100-400 is lighter and fast focusing. the push - pull zoom takes a bit of getting used to. Versatile and can be used for sports, birding. can be used hand held if you crank up the ISO a bit. Sharp, wide open.

the 150-500 is more a tripod lens, stopped down to f8 its sharp and produces good results. heavier and slower focusing than the 100-400 but you get an extra 100mm.

Thanks for your comments. I think I will wait until the Tamron 150-600 is released and reassess the whole thing again. Appreciate your input.
Regards, Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

bobmcculloch wrote:

For wildlife I think I'd go with the Sigma, highly spoken of, Bob.

Thanks for your comment Bob, I really thought this would be an easy choice based on the reviews and the input of the UHH members, now the Tamron 150-600 mm has been put into the mix, I will defer the decision until the new contenders are released and critiqued.
Regards, Bill

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

jimbrown3 wrote:

I have the 150-500 Sigma. I recently purchased the 100-400L. I made a comparison with both at 400mm f11. I am returning the Canon L. The Sigma lens was sharper. I shoot birds so the longer the better. I found both lenses equally difficult to hand hold. I use a Canon 5D III and find a monopod with gimbal head gives me stability and more flexibility than a tripod.

Thanks Jim, appreciate your comments, I guess the next decision will be that of tripod/ equipment but won't go there until the lens question is resolved!
Regards, Bill.

Tradscot Loc: Cairns, Australia

greg vescuso wrote:

I have the sigma 150-500 and have had great results with it. I have recently bought the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 and couldn't be happier with it, if they are coming out with a new zoom to 600mm I would wait and add that lens to your comparison.

Thanks Greg, advice taken, will wait, the wife is now smiling, Santa is not!
Bill

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

jimbrown3 wrote:

I have the 150-500 Sigma. I recently purchased the 100-400L. I made a comparison with both at 400mm f11. I am returning the Canon L. The Sigma lens was sharper. I shoot birds so the longer the better. I found both lenses equally difficult to hand hold. I use a Canon 5D III and find a monopod with gimbal head gives me stability and more flexibility than a tripod.

Check out SwampGator's photos. He uses the 100-400 and a 1.4 tc. I hope to do as well someday (I hope soon).