Are there any issues with this lens? Like getting parts for repair? Is the II version sharper?
chrysoberyl said:Are there any issues with this lens? Like getting parts for repair? Is the II version sharper?
chrysoberyl said:Thanks very much! I can't see paying $3K for a paperweight, although I do want a fast, stabilized 300mm prime very much. Perhaps Tamron will release their rumored 300 2.8.
chrysoberyl said:Thanks very much! I can't see paying $3K for a paperweight, although I do want a fast, stabilized 300mm prime very much. Perhaps Tamron will release their rumored 300 2.8.
Michael Clark said:Look into the Sigma 120-300mm f/3.8. The latest version, the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S, is in the 'Sports' category of the 'Global Vision Series' that also include the 'Art' category. Compatibility with the Sigma USB dock goes a long way towards ensuring future firmware upgrades, if needed, won't require a trip to a service center. It's not quite as good as the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II, but neither is the original EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS. It is a bit longer and heavier than the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II, but then again, so is the original EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS.
It's not quite a prime, but it is a very high quality zoom that holds image quality at all focal lengths and apertures much like the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II does.
chrysoberyl said:Michael Clark said:Look into the Sigma 120-300mm f/3.8. The latest version, the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S, is in the 'Sports' category of the 'Global Vision Series' that also include the 'Art' category. Compatibility with the Sigma USB dock goes a long way towards ensuring future firmware upgrades, if needed, won't require a trip to a service center. It's not quite as good as the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II, but neither is the original EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS. It is a bit longer and heavier than the EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II, but then again, so is the original EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS.
It's not quite a prime, but it is a very high quality zoom that holds image quality at all focal lengths and apertures much like the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II does.
Thanks, Michael. The 120-300 is at the top of my list and I'll be looking at the links. How does it perform with Canon III TC's?
When you admit you "don't know anything", it's best to not say anything at all.danski0224 said:And what makes a 3rd party lens less of a paperweight than an "obsolete" Canon lens made for trade professionals?
I don't know anything about the Tamron, but I bet it is safe to say that it will not match OEM Canon lens performance on a Canon body and who's to say how long the Tamron would be serviceable, and how long such service might take.
Zeidora said:Currently own a 300/2.8 I and consider replacing it. The Canon II sells for 6K, the current Sigma for 4K, and Tamron is vaporware at present. In that price range, the difference is not sufficient to affect decision on which one to get. One thing I look at is minimum focusing distance: Canon 2 m, Sigma 2.5 m. That is a significant point for me (venomous snake portraits). Not quite ready to pull the plug, I think a Coastal Optics 100 UV will be first.
I think in this kind of case, where you're evidently looking and able to purchase any of them, the Canon is definitely the better buy. IS and weather sealing alone put it way ahead of the Sigma. One has to assume Sigma will rework the 300mm with OS and sealing as part of the Sport range, and Tamron will put out something similar. Until that happens, while I will vouch for Tamron's service and Sigma's quality in general, for specifically 300mm, first-party wins.Zeidora said:Currently own a 300/2.8 I and consider replacing it. The Canon II sells for 6K, the current Sigma for 4K, and Tamron is vaporware at present. In that price range, the difference is not sufficient to affect decision on which one to get. One thing I look at is minimum focusing distance: Canon 2 m, Sigma 2.5 m. That is a significant point for me (venomous snake portraits). Not quite ready to pull the plug, I think a Coastal Optics 100 UV will be first.
So far, Sigma and Tamron have both kept up-to-date with their USB docks and the latest cameras.NancyP said:Main issues for third party lenses are 1. long term firmware compatibility with newer camera bodies 2. reverse-designed auto-focus protocols usually make AF slightly or markedly slower than OEM lenses.
Sigma has promised to deal with problem #1 by the lens dock for updating firmware. This may also allow better reverse-designed AF protocols to be introduced.
I have several superb non-OEM lenses (2 manual focus: Voigtlander Apo and Zeiss; 1 Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4), but I will say that I don't shoot action with them. My birding lens is OEM, the lowly but reliable (and portable) 400 f/5.6L
NancyP said:Sorry, lovely snake portrait, CHRYOSBERYL! :-[
Zeidora said:Nancy (or anybody else). Have you compared 300/2.8 (w&w/o extension rings) vs. 180TC at close range of the 300 for IQ? This something that is on my to-do-list.
Agree on the nice snake portrait Chryosberyl! Have only dealt with our local rattlers (Crotalus oregonensis) [and in Europe with Vipera berus], and they are quite friendly as long as you respect their comfort zone.