How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS?

Vulpix0r · 14th October 2005

I am thinking of changing from the Sigma 70-200mm to the Canon 70-300mm USM IS (Not the old 75-300mm one) as I find myself often not satisfied with my 200mm range, and I don't really want to degrade the image with a teleconverter.

After going through several threads about the new 70-300mm, the photos look really good without any touch up, and is still just as sharp (Or acceptably sharp for the L folks), and was thinking of making the switch since the F2.8 wasn't really utilised by me.

Anyone with any opinions? I often like to shoot birds and such in Sungei Buloh, and using the lens for sports events like the F1 powerboat, etc.

Splutter · 14th October 2005

I got a feeling that when it comes to birds, 300mm is still a tad too short. Why not go for the 100-400L IS? Pretty sharp lens too.

Vulpix0r · 14th October 2005

Cost concern, 2k doesn't come easy for me, and I can't justify a purchase like that when it doesn't make me any money.

Zack · 14th October 2005

Me also thinking of the 70-300 IS USM. The main things that attract me is to be able to shoot when open wide with reasonable quality and IS helps in shooting at slower shutter speed.

Also, it size and weight is also a major plus. So far the only drawback is the price.

hafele · 14th October 2005

Agree.. the drawback is the price ....

Heard that it has 1 UD elements in the lens group, which is only use in L lens ... Maybe Canon just want to make it popular without a red ring ? but it's still pricey ...

user111 · 15th October 2005

you might as well buy the EF 300 f4 L

Zack · 15th October 2005

how much is the 300mm f4L?

glfar2004 · 16th October 2005

After trying out out various combinations 75-300IS USM the old one. I have settled on the following.

Canon 200mm F2.8L USMII
Canon 85mm F1.8.
Kenko Pro 300 2X Extender.

My gallery have the pictures taken with this combination. All pictures taken handheld, some with heavy cropping.

mpenza · 16th October 2005

believe Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 with a 1.4TC gives comparable images to the 70-300 DO USM IS (especially when u stepped down to F5.6!).

if u just want a 300mm for occassionaly use, why not get a cheap Sigma 70-300 APO Super Macro II? I think it performs pretty okay for it's price:
http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/paragon03-1
http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/face2003
http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/teens2003

14th October 2005	#1
Vulpix0r Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Posts: 2,792	How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? I am thinking of changing from the Sigma 70-200mm to the Canon 70-300mm USM IS (Not the old 75-300mm one) as I find myself often not satisfied with my 200mm range, and I don't really want to degrade the image with a teleconverter. After going through several threads about the new 70-300mm, the photos look really good without any touch up, and is still just as sharp (Or acceptably sharp for the L folks), and was thinking of making the switch since the F2.8 wasn't really utilised by me. Anyone with any opinions? I often like to shoot birds and such in Sungei Buloh, and using the lens for sports events like the F1 powerboat, etc.

14th October 2005	#2
Splutter Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Gim Boon Tai Posts: 2,819	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? I got a feeling that when it comes to birds, 300mm is still a tad too short. Why not go for the 100-400L IS? Pretty sharp lens too. __________________ If you understand my works, it's photography. If you don't, it's art. SplutterPhotography\|flickr

14th October 2005	#3
Vulpix0r Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Posts: 2,792	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? Cost concern, 2k doesn't come easy for me, and I can't justify a purchase like that when it doesn't make me any money.

14th October 2005	#4
Zack Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 341	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? Me also thinking of the 70-300 IS USM. The main things that attract me is to be able to shoot when open wide with reasonable quality and IS helps in shooting at slower shutter speed. Also, it size and weight is also a major plus. So far the only drawback is the price.

14th October 2005	#5
hafele Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 201	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? Agree.. the drawback is the price .... Heard that it has 1 UD elements in the lens group, which is only use in L lens ... Maybe Canon just want to make it popular without a red ring ? but it's still pricey ...

15th October 2005	#6
user111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,719	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? you might as well buy the EF 300 f4 L

16th October 2005	#8
glfar2004 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 317	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? After trying out out various combinations 75-300IS USM the old one. I have settled on the following. Canon 200mm F2.8L USMII Canon 85mm F1.8. Kenko Pro 300 2X Extender. My gallery have the pictures taken with this combination. All pictures taken handheld, some with heavy cropping.

16th October 2005	#9
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	Re: How to justify change from Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 to Canon 70-300mm USM IS? believe Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 with a 1.4TC gives comparable images to the 70-300 DO USM IS (especially when u stepped down to F5.6!). if u just want a 300mm for occassionaly use, why not get a cheap Sigma 70-300 APO Super Macro II? I think it performs pretty okay for it's price: http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/paragon03-1 http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/face2003 http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/teens2003 Last edited by mpenza; 16th October 2005 at 12:25 PM.