Sigma 150-500 OS or Canon 300 f/4 IS w/extender

[mmuhlenkamp]

I'm having a bit of a dilemma, I'm wanting more reach than my 70-300 allows, but obviously for a reasonable price. I've been greatly considering the Sigma 150-500 and have seen some good pictures come from it. I know the 300L is sharper natively, but I would like more reach and would end up wanting to stick an extender on it.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever used both of these lenses and could provide some input. IS/OS is a must because I like handholding and would like to keep shots lost from "camera shake" to a minimum.

500mm is really appealing to me and wouldn't be opposed to renting, but I haven't really seen the Sigma 150-500 available anywhere.

mmuhlenkamp added 1349 Minutes and 0 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Anyone, Anyone? Bueller?

[Frissen]

I am also interested to hear about the Sigma 150-500 also, anyone?

[Hogleg 44]

FWIW...I can't speak for the 150-500 vs the Canon 300, but I can speak of the 50-500 (Bigma) vs the Canon 400 plus extenders.
For the 500mm reach I would go for the Canon and the extenders. Better glass, better contrast, faster focusing. I get very nice images from the Bigma, but better from the Canon Glass. The Sigma focus gets lost at times and has a hard time recovering if there is a lack of contrast in the scene. The Canon combo doesn't seem to have this problem.
My take, for whatever it's worth!

[planespotter]

I have had mine for about 2 months....I had to learn alot about extreme zooms....such as climate, long focal lengths can be hampered by humidity and temp. . Other than that, for the money its fast(focus) and quiet(HSM)....and if held steady can produce really sharp pics.....I have been using it as a walk around lense, its heavy but is alot of fun to use. I have to say at this point that this is the best lense I've ever had for the MONEY....by the way I use it on my 40d, and although Im a rookie/noob I have been able to get some really good pics out of it.....definately worth it.....

[Frissen]

thanks for the review, good, I think its my next lens...

[sdenman]

Kurt & Paul thanks for your input. I have been considering the sigma myself.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Thanks for the responses, my boyfriend has a 400 f/5.6 L that I could borrow, so I think it might be nice to have the ultra zoom as well. It's so hard to resist when Amazon has 6 months no interest when you use an Amazon credit card.

It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

[Moses on the Street]

I have the 150-500 Sigma and have taken many fine pictures with it. I've read a complaint somewhere on the web about a lack of sharpness but I can only surmise that they were hand holding this long lens because, on a tripod, it's pretty darn good.

I've been contemplating selling mine, however, because I want a Canon 5d MK II and I'm about 80% of the way there, moneywise.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Why are prices so wildly different on this lens? Usually Amazon is one of the cheaper places, but it's gone up over the last couple weeks. $999 from Amazon and $799 from sigma4less! That's $200 difference from two reputable places. The hell?

[Frissen]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

Why are prices so wildly different on this lens? Usually Amazon is one of the cheaper places, but it's gone up over the last couple weeks. $999 from Amazon and $799 from sigma4less! That's $200 difference from two reputable places. The hell?

You have it good believe me, the 150-500mm Sigma is $1250 down here in Mexico internet price!!! I just bought a 15mm at the Canon place down here in Puebla and paid $1,125 when I was quoted $700 from HCE with tax lets say $757 with tax and all vs $1,125.

sigma4less, I'm saving that one...

[mmuhlenkamp]

Okay, I ordered mine from Sigma4Less/Photo4Less. Double checked reseller ratings and they seemed to fair well (8.5/10). The shipping is a little pricey, but still cheaper overall than anywhere else. I'll let you know how it goes when I receive it.

I'm excited!

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

Okay, I ordered mine from Sigma4Less/Photo4Less. Double checked reseller ratings and they seemed to fair well (8.5/10). The shipping is a little pricey, but still cheaper overall than anywhere else. I'll let you know how it goes when I receive it.

I'm excited!

I bought my Bigma from them and the whole transaction was great. No problems! I can recommend them.

[Frissen]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

Okay, I ordered mine from Sigma4Less/Photo4Less. Double checked reseller ratings and they seemed to fair well (8.5/10). The shipping is a little pricey, but still cheaper overall than anywhere else. I'll let you know how it goes when I receive it.

I'm excited!

Keep us posted...

[mmuhlenkamp]

UPS came by at lunch and dropped off my lens! Took a few quick sample shots and everything seems to be working fine. I can't wait to test out when I get done with work at 5!

[mmuhlenkamp]

So far I think this lens is pretty awesome! Not nearly as sharp as my primes, but there's no way I could expect it to be. Small birds are finally in my reach (still some cropping needed) and I get a bit of a workout lugging this lens around. The OS seems to be working great, I can get clear images at shutter speeds as slow as 1/125 (though I was bracing myself while seated).

This lens is definitely a keeper.

Here's some images I got at the duck pond...