Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

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bolling
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p.1 #1 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

This is my first post in years, I am torn between getting the Canon 100 400 or the Sigma 150 500. I do not shoot sports but do shoot nature including birds. I've read about the Sigma's hunting a lot during focus and compatabilty issues with some cameras and that worries me. I know on the internet you sometimes only here the most negative things and was hoping someone who has used both lenses could help me out. Do you think 400mm cropped to a 500mm size with the Canon lens would be better than the Sigma at 500mm. I plan on getting it at Best Buy where I can get 18 months free financing and a 30 day return policy. I used to own the Canon 100 400 and know how it shoots but for $500 less I can get 100 extra mm, both having image stabiliztion. I have a 20d and just purchased a T4i. If the upcoming 70d has the flip out touch screen I will probably upgrade to that. I kind of got away from photography for a few years and am getting interested again. I know the resale on the Canon lens will always be much greater which is a big plus also.
Thanks in advance Steve

Aug 13, 2012 at 10:32 PM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #2 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Taking the average of comparisons I've seen I would rather have a 100-400L and loose the 500mm of the sigma.

Aug 13, 2012 at 10:35 PM

Jase1125
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p.1 #3 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Teamspeed has owned and used both. Folks who have owned both usually prefer the canon. I have the 100-400L and so far I am pleased with it.

Aug 13, 2012 at 10:39 PM

Red 90
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p.1 #4 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

http://www.michaelfurtman.com/sigma150_500.htm

I haven't used either of them, but had done a bunch of research when I was looking for my telephoto lens. I think the linked review answers some of the questions your asking. Keep in mind that is just one review an I'm sure there are lens to lens differences as well as opinions.

Aug 13, 2012 at 10:54 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #5 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

100-400L any day.

Sigma for a start is actually much less than 500mm, closer to 460mm Canon is around 385mm. IQ of the 150-500 drops off after 300mm, Canon is good through the range and usually sharp wide open.

From what I've read the Sigma 50-500 is a better lens than the 150-500. Also there were a lot of issues with the 150-500 at least when released and many were returned. Not sure about it now, but I lost interest after seeing the reviews. 100-400L is simply a fantastic lens. The only thing the Sigma would have the advantage in is IS as Canon's is first gen 2 stop and Sigma is 3-4 stop.

Aug 13, 2012 at 10:56 PM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #6 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

I seem to remember RC of lensrental dropping the 150-500 due to reliability issues also.

Aug 13, 2012 at 11:01 PM

bolling
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p.1 #7 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Thanks for all the info, I was afraid the answer wasn't going to be the one that would save me $500

Aug 13, 2012 at 11:18 PM

onegreatcity
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p.1 #8 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

bolling wrote:
Thanks for all the info, I was afraid the answer wasn't going to be the one that would save me $500

It never is!

For what it's worth, I went through the same process until acquiring my 100-400L and wouldn't change a thing. Yes I paid a premium, even used, but IQ, quality control and resale value all seem to favour the Canon. Good luck with your decision.

Aug 13, 2012 at 11:27 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #9 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

The 100-400 is better, period.

Aug 14, 2012 at 01:34 AM

bolling
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p.1 #10 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

I took all your advice and I just ordered the Canon 100 400 from Best Buy, they had it on sale for $1550 (ouch!) I looked to buy used for a couple of weeks and it seems they are $1200 and up and I wouldn't have a warranty or a return policy and wouldn't really know what it had been through. Have they upgraded the lens over the years in any way.
Thanks everyone

Aug 14, 2012 at 02:20 AM

RobDickinson
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p.1 #11 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Theres suspicion they made some changes in 2004/5ish but I had a 2003 example that was mint.

Have fun with it, my only crit is the IS system takes a while to 'settle'.

Aug 14, 2012 at 02:24 AM

CW100
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p.1 #12 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

bolling wrote:
I took all your advice and I just ordered the Canon 100 400 from Best Buy, they had it on sale for $1550 (ouch!) I looked to buy used for a couple of weeks and it seems they are $1200 and up and I wouldn't have a warranty or a return policy and wouldn't really know what it had been through. Have they upgraded the lens over the years in any way.
Thanks everyone

The 100-400 has increased in price over the last several years

but it is significantly sharper with better image quality than the Sigma 150-500 and other comparable longer telephoto zooms

Aug 14, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #13 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

I dont think you can put the 150-500 against the 100-400 . the 100-400 is hands down the better lens.
Ive had 2 100-400's (regreted selling the first one that much) and tried around 6 of the 150-500 and its smaller bro (120-400) in stores . none were any good. some were decent enough optically but all were horrible when it came to focus . I think they may have altered the Focus since though.

However the sigma 50-500 OS may be able to put up a stiffer fight against the 100-400 .

Aug 14, 2012 at 06:20 PM

bbasiaga
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p.1 #14 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Well, you've already made your purchase, but in case anyone else is looking I will add to the feedback above.

The original 150-500 Sigmas had some issues. There was a version change and new ones (as of Feb 2011 IIRC) are supposed to be 'fixed'. I was all but ready to pull the trigger on one of these when the Canon Refurb store got some 100-400s in stock during a 15% off, free shipping sale. I did play with the Sigma and see some photos one of the guys at the camera shop took. It looked very good, even at the long end. After taxes, the 100-400 on sale was only about $200 more than the sigma, which I thought was too good to pass up.

-Brian

Aug 15, 2012 at 03:05 AM

Netgarden
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p.1 #15 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

You made the right choice for i found out the hard way, the 150-500 is a perfect idea, but it was too soft for me at 500mm. Too bad because i loved the lens otherwise, colors were great, but a step backwards for detail. Please post some work when u get the canon!

Aug 15, 2012 at 03:48 AM

GC5
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p.1 #16 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

I know you already purchased, but here's a comparison I did: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1094846/0#10440762

the 100-400 is better, but the 150-500 is not a bad lens at all. If one wanted the reach and to save some money, it's the lens to get. I ended up getting rid of both and now have a 2x extender for my 70-200.

Aug 15, 2012 at 03:57 AM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #17 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Another thing about the 100-400L is that it's sharp, wide open and takes a 1.4x TC very well and I've shot it wide open or just stopped down 1/3 stop and results were still great.

Here's a couple wide open on the 1D III + 100-400L + 1.4x TC II @ 560mm including a 100% crop from the first shot

2013 © Pixel Perfect

Aug 15, 2012 at 09:57 AM

jmark252
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p.1 #18 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

You made the right decision. I owned the 150-500. It was fine on my 40D but when I upgraded to the 7D I was not happy with the resolution. I sold it and since have added a 5D2 as well as the 100-400. I could not be happier with both.
Still have my 7D and use the 100-400 on both depending on circumstances.

Aug 16, 2012 at 07:03 PM

onegreatcity
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p.1 #19 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

Pixel Perfect wrote:
Another thing about the 100-400L is that it's sharp, wide open and takes a 1.4x TC very well and I've shot it wide open or just stopped down 1/3 stop and results were still great.

Here's a couple wide open on the 1D III + 100-400L + 1.4x TC II @ 560mm including a 100% crop from the first shot

Wow! I'm sporting the same kit; maybe I should be in the market for a 1.4 TC. Very nice shots!

Aug 16, 2012 at 07:33 PM

bipock
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p.1 #20 · Opinions please on Canon 100 400 or Sigma 150 500

WHile I wouldn't prefer either, the 100-400 would be my required choice.

However, I would seriously consider the Sigma 120-400 in place of the 100-400. Lacks the limiter, but is as sharp with better OS system. And will save you some cash to boot.

Aug 16, 2012 at 08:41 PM

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