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Archive 2014 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF

  
 
swldstn
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


In the past I dabbled with BIF but never really taylored my kit for it. I currently own a 1DX and 5D III and my two longest lenses are the 70-200mm f/2.8L II and the 300mm f/2.8L IS V1. I have both the version 2 of the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.

I've been thinking of adding the new Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.5 Sport to use with my existing bodies. With the new 7DII I've given some thought to buying one and using it with the existing lenses to give me a 300mm x 1.4 x 1.6 = 672mm at f/4. On paper the results would be about the same between the two combinations. I know the 150-600 gives me the flexibility of a zoom but I know a lot of BIF has been done with 500mm and 600mm lenses with a 1 DIV (which I used to have but for some reason traded up to a 1Dx).

Would you go:
a) Keep existing bodies and add Sigma 150-600mm
b) Add 7DII and use existing lenses.
c) Try to find a good deal on 1D IV and use existing lenses.

Today I use my 1DX mostly for sports so the reach at 300mm x 1.4 was good enough.

Interested in your input.

Steve



Sep 27, 2014 at 05:49 PM
skibum5
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


swldstn wrote:
In the past I dabbled with BIF but never really taylored my kit for it. I currently own a 1DX and 5D III and my two longest lenses are the 70-200mm f/2.8L II and the 300mm f/2.8L IS V1. I have both the version 2 of the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters.

I've been thinking of adding the new Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.5 Sport to use with my existing bodies. With the new 7DII I've given some thought to buying one and using it with the existing lenses to give me a 300mm x 1.4 x 1.6 = 672mm at f/4. On paper
...Show more

What about 300 2.8 + 2x TC + 7D2?

I found that I got more detail with 300 2.8 IS Original + 2x TC III + 7D than I did with that combo plus 5D3.



Sep 27, 2014 at 06:37 PM
KClarke
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


I think you should go out and shoot BIFs with your IDX and 300 2.8+TCs, and then determine if it's not good enough.

With the 150-600, you'll be stepping down in speed vs the 300 2.8
And the 7D2 will not drive your 300 2.8 as fast as your IDX will. More so when the TCs are attached.




Sep 27, 2014 at 06:43 PM
jeffdjohnston
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


BIG difference in performance between the 2X II and the 2X III for me. If your 2x II is similar to mine, then just buy the 2X III and use it on your zoom and prime.


Sep 27, 2014 at 06:46 PM
swldstn
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


KClarke wrote:
I think you should go out and shoot BIFs with your IDX and 300 2.8+TCs, and then determine if it's not good enough.

With the 150-600, you'll be stepping down in speed vs the 300 2.8
And the 7D2 will not drive your 300 2.8 as fast as your IDX will. More so when the TCs are attached.



Obviously a great idea. I get too focused on gear. What I need to find is a mentor for BIF work to help me better understand where to go. What to take. How to prepare. Lacking that I always go back to wondering if my gear is up to the task. Thanks for the reset.



Sep 27, 2014 at 09:09 PM
Tom_W
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


I'm pretty sure that the AF speed of the 150-600 won't be as good as that of the 300/2.8 with a 2X III teleconverter. The IS won't be as good either.

The Tammy's a sharp lens, but it isn't quite the action lens that you would want IMHO.



Sep 27, 2014 at 09:35 PM
IndyFab
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


Have you given any thought to the Sigma 120-300 2.8


Sep 28, 2014 at 12:07 AM
EB-1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


Tom_W wrote:
I'm pretty sure that the AF speed of the 150-600 won't be as good as that of the 300/2.8 with a 2X III teleconverter. The IS won't be as good either.

The Tammy's a sharp lens, but it isn't quite the action lens that you would want IMHO.


+1. The Sigma 150-600 is an unknown at this point, but I'm not expecting any miracles. AF at >f/5.6 will never be the greatest.

EBH




Sep 28, 2014 at 01:23 AM
swldstn
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


IndyFab wrote:
Have you given any thought to the Sigma 120-300 2.8


Actually didn't look at it until you mentioned it. Have you got direct experience with it? Would definitely end up selling my EF 300mm f/2.8L V1 to get since its $3600. I'll have to do some reading on it.

Do they have a teleconverter that works with it? If not I'm not sure it would be worth it to switch since I won't end up matching the reach I have now with the 300 + 2x converter even if its a great lens.






Sep 30, 2014 at 09:04 PM
JohnBrose
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


I'd wait until the 7d2 is out 1st. I think the better image quality would be with the 300 f2.8 and the smaller sensor camera, but that's just my intuition.


Sep 30, 2014 at 09:34 PM
Tenn.Jer
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF




Obviously a great idea. I get too focused on gear. What I need to find is a mentor for BIF work to help me better understand where to go. What to take. How to prepare. Lacking that I always go back to wondering if my gear is up to the task. Thanks for the reset.


Find some local pros and take some birding workshops; money well-spent, since you'll not only have the advantage of their experience, but also learn of some great places to go. You live in Maine; people come from all over for workshops there - it should be easy to find something...
Jerry



Sep 30, 2014 at 09:56 PM
kzoockof
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


#1: 7D2 is presently an unknown camera in terms of any of it's real abilities and performance. So I wouldn't sell anything right now to buy one. I am not saying it won't be a good/great camera. I hope it will be as I would like to buy one, once I hear some real user reviews and experiences. I have put off upgrading to a 1D4 with the 7D2 announcement.

#2: The Sigma 120-300 Sport lens is going to be a step down from your Canon 300 2.8 lens, in my experience. I recently tested and compared the two, ended up with the used Canon for the same price as a new Sigma. I did have the prior version of the Sigma (non-S version). It is a very nice lens, very usable, and I would recommend them to many people, but not to somebody who already has the 300 2.8 lens.

#3: The Sigma or Tamron 150-600 lenses are very interesting in many regards. Depending on camera body owned, I would say that the Tamron would be a good lens to see if you want to get into BIF and the effort and time suitable for that goal. And of course to determine if you even like it. It is by far the cheapest way to do it. I personally have more confidence in Sigma, so that being said and I was considering a 150-600, I'd wait for the Sigma and see what the opinions and feedback on that lens are before acting on either of the two subject lenses. To me, the beauty of these two lenses is their size. I see them as being highly portable and potentially a "throw away" lens (meaning a lens I would feel much more comfortable carrying into a less than completely safe location). I'd much rather have a 150-600 stolen than the 300 2.8, 500, etc. . . The other benefit of the 150-600 IMO is that you can realistically carry it for a just in case situation. It is not so convenient to do this with the 300, 400, 500, 600 etc. . . Those lense (IMO) are intended carry, intended purpose lenses. Not just thrown into a bag for a what if scenario.



Oct 01, 2014 at 09:02 PM
WestcoastHD
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


Just a couple of thoughts, since I have shot with an older sigma 120-300 and 300 f2.8 with TCs, but with a Nikon mount. The sigma f2.8, especially the new versions are a great sports zoom lens. If you need reach and are shooting at the long end anyway, a 300 prime with a TC always out performs a similar zoom with a TC.

I think the new sigma 150-600 was designed for FX cameras. On a 7D that becomes a pretty long lens with a 1.6 crop. Shooting that at the long end is effectively 960mm and would be a challenge without perfect technique. On the flip side the MTF of the new sigma sport does look very promising if you need a zoom. If I had a 1DX and the lenses you already own, I would get a wimberley side kick, a decent tripod and use the gear I have.



Oct 01, 2014 at 10:07 PM
mmurph
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


swldstn wrote:
Actually didn't look at it until you mentioned it. Have you got direct experience with it? Would definitely end up selling my EF 300mm f/2.8L V1 to get since its $3600. I'll have to do some reading on it.

Do they have a teleconverter that works with it? If not I'm not sure it would be worth it to switch since I won't end up matching the reach I have now with the 300 + 2x converter even if its a great lens.


Here is a review of the Sigma by Roger Cicala. He is saying basically that the Sigma is in the same league as the Canon 70-200 2.8 II:

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/06/sigma-120-300-f2-8-os-sport-part-1-features-and-optics

Here is the DxO review. Their title: "Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM S Canon and Nikon mount lens review: Prime image quality in a zoom?"

And the photozone review:

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/629-sigma120300f28oseos

+++

Sigma has 1.4x and 2x tele converters that are designed to work with that lens, plus a few others. They run about $150 used for either one. You definitely want the Sigma tele converter with the Sigma lens, and a Canon with the Canon.

They also just announced new 1.4x and 2x tele's. I am not sure if they are shipping yet, They are $350 new (the older are $250 new.) Pending reviews, I would imagine the extra $100 would be worth it to buy the new converter for a lens of that quality.

I have been looking at the same questions, and thinking a lot about what I will do. I have the 7DII on pre-order. If the $1,000 Sigma 150-600 Contemporary were shipping soon, I would pre-order that. I'n not ready yet to take a chance on the $2,000 Sport version/don't really need it until later. Plus at that point I am a bit torn between the 120-300 2.8 plus 2x, and the 150-600.

Good luck!




Oct 02, 2014 at 12:12 AM
El Pedro
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 7DII w/ 300mm f/2.8+1.4X or 1DX w/ Sigma 150-600mm for BIF


I would wait until both the 7D2 and the Sigma 150-600 sport are actually out and have been properly tested before deciding what to do.



Oct 02, 2014 at 12:28 AM





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