Need a 600mm. Don't want to pay for one

[alexturton]

I want a 600mm focal length for zoos on my 5d3 but I can't afford the big canon glass.

The options I'm considering are:

Tamron 150-600 @ £950

or

Sigma 120-300 Sport @ £2500 + a 2x TC

I can afford either of these options but not both. My question is, which will be better at 600mm? considering, IQ and AF speed.

I have the canon 70-200 2.8ii so the sigma for its 120-200 range doesn't excite me (neither does the cost or weight). but 300mm f2.8 excites me, so does 400mm f4 but I not sure about 600mm via a 2x TC.

Have anyone come across a direct comparison of these two routes to 600mm?

All opinions greatly welcomed.
thanks in advance.
Alex

 

[mackguyver]

Comparison from TDP. It looks like the Tamron is a bit better in the center/middle or the frame. You can also go the 400 f/5.6 +1.4x II/III for 560mm route. You lose IS, but it will AF with your 5DIII and it's a nice combo I used for many years. Comparison to the Tamron

I ended up with the 300 f/2.8 IS II + 2x III. Not cheap, but less than the 600mm f/4 IS II and more flexible for my purposes.

I'd go with the Tamron were I in your shoes as it seems to offer the best mix of features & price.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

If you want 600mm and don't want to pay for it then there are 2 practical options though neither is cheap.
The first is to go the route that mackguyver went and get the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS Mk2. The second is to go the route that I went, namely to get the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS Mk1. A bit cheaper, a little heavier and (with Mk3 extenders) the AF is a touch slower.
Neither option will quite match a Canon 600 F4 L IS Mk1 or 2 but they are surprisingly close in IQ and do allow more flexibility and portability.
There are a few other ways of achieving the 600mm goal but, having tried a few, you will probably be disappointed if yo go for lesser setups than the above, and end up spending more money in the long run!

 

[dcm]

There might be a bit of a wait for the Tamron. Orders placed in mid March at B&H haven't been filled yet. I'm also on the waiting list at the local camera store. At this rate I might save enough for a big white before the Tamron ships. Been thinking the 300 f/2.8L IS II was the next step for me since already have the extenders, just thought I'd be waiting until a year or two after I got the Tamron.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

There might be a bit of a wait for the Tamron. Orders placed in mid March at B&H haven't been filled yet. I'm also on the waiting list at the local camera store. At this rate I might save enough for a big white before the Tamron ships. Been thinking the 300 f/2.8L IS II was the next step for me since already have the extenders, just thought I'd be waiting until a year or two after I got the Tamron.

Honestly if the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS Mk2 is a bit of a stretch (it ain't cheap!) then have a look at a used Mk1. IQ wise there is little between them, yes the Mk2 is better but it takes a Guru of heightened enlightenment to really see the difference.

 

[jasonsim]

If you need 600mm there is no alternative to the 600mm f/4L II IS. It simply cannot be beet. A close second would be to use a 300mm f/2.8L II IS + 2x III. You loose little in terms of image quality, but loose a little more in AF speed. Sadly, I cannot recommend the 300mm f/4L IS. It is too old and does not take the extenders well at all. If you can live with 400mm, I'd recommend the 400mm f/5.6L.

You might just wait for the new 100-400mm L to be released. It should take the 1.4x III and can be used to AF on 5D III and 1Dx bodies. Though, it is still just rumored and should be pretty expensive ( guess around $3k ).

For the price, the Tamron might be the only option without having to pony up some serious cash!

Best of luck,
Jason S.

 

[ctaylor42]

Keep in mind that though the Tamron has been released, it's been on backorder for many months.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Personally, I would opt for the Canon 300/4 L IS with a Canon 2x extender. The IQ from this combo is surprisingly good, as you can see at The Digital Picture here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=111&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=0&CameraComp=0&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

The resultant 600/8 may still function with AF and IS if you only use the center AF point. As an added bonus, you can add a Canon 1.4x extender for a pretty awesome 420/5.6 AF IS.

 

[brad goda]

go to a pro sports event…
bring a bat and a bag…

free

 

[wickidwombat]

Personally, I would opt for the Canon 300/4 L IS with a Canon 2x extender. The IQ from this combo is surprisingly good, as you can see at The Digital Picture here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=111&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=0&LensComp=0&CameraComp=0&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

The resultant 600/8 may still function with AF and IS if you only use the center AF point. As an added bonus, you can add a Canon 1.4x extender for a pretty awesome 420/5.6 AF IS.

Really? Do you own this? I own this and the tamron and I assure you the tamron leaves this combo for dead
It's no contest in iq and af accuracy and speed

 

[JumboShrimp]

Yes, really.

 

[AlanF]

Read the OPs question. He wants an opinion on two particular zooms for use in zoos that will extend to 600mm, not a general debate on all 600mm alternatives. I'd recommend the Tamron. It performs very well indeed, it is much cheaper and is lighter than the Sigma with an extender.

A 600mm prime or doubled 300mm would not be my first choice for a zoo.

 

[AlanF]

Personally, I would opt for the Canon 300/4 L IS with a Canon 2x extender. The IQ from this combo is surprisingly good, as you can see at The Digital Picture ...

I own this combination, and wouldn't recommend it. But then I also wouldn't recommend either of the options the OP is considering if the OP requires a respectable 600mm. If those are his only choices, the Tamron is probably the better one (though I have no experience with it).

Owning the 300mm f/4 IS, I've learned to use my feet and develop skills approaching wildlife when possible. People seldom consider skill development to make up for gear... though if you're really interested in something like birds it won't help you nearly enough.

Renting perhaps if you only use the lens occasionally?

That's my $0.02.

I own both the Tamron and the Canon 300/2.8 II + TCs and can say from considerable experience with both that the Tamron is a "respectable" 600mm. Remarkably, the Tamron stacks up very well against the 300/4 from Canon as seen on TDP and MtF measurement on Lenstip and is far better at 400mm than the 300/4 with a 1.4 xTC

http://www.lenstip.com/403.4-Lens_review-Tamron_SP_150-600_mm_f_5-6.3_Di_VC_USD_Image_resolution.html

http://www.lenstip.com/211.4-Lens_review-Canon_EF_300_mm_f_4L_IS_USM_Image_resolution.html

In agreement with you about developing skills, what are you supposed to when you spot something on the other side of a lake - swim on your back using just your feet and holding the 300/4 above your head?

 

[Sella174]

I want a 600mm focal length for zoos on my 5d3 but I can't afford the big canon glass.

What you need is a decent wealth redistribution program ... :-X

 

[GMCPhotographics]

If you are going to get one white super-tele (and trust me there is no substitute) then either the newer 300mm f2.8 LIS II or an older 400mm f2.8 LIS would be top of my list. The 300 is great for it's size, portability and relative lightness. it takes tele converters every well (1.4x and 2x) and will get you to 600mm f5.6 with ample IQ and can be shot wide open with great sharpness.
The 400L (my personal choice) is very big and very very heavy, but optically, it's one of the finest lenses ever made. It's pretty much untouched optically by a teleconverter. Pop a 1.4x on it and it's a 560mm f4, which is just a bit focal shy of the 600mm f4. Pop a 2x on it and it's a very capable 800mm f5.6.
Anything else is a compromise in my opinion.

 

[Loswr]

I want a 600mm focal length for zoos on my 5d3 but I can't afford the big canon glass.

I wanted a 600mm, and I paid for one. Having said that, given your price constraints and from what I've seen so far, I'd strongly consider getting the Tamron 150-600.

 

[weixing]

Hi,

I want a 600mm focal length for zoos on my 5d3 but I can't afford the big canon glass.

The options I'm considering are:

Tamron 150-600 @ £950

or

Sigma 120-300 Sport @ £2500 + a 2x TC

I can afford either of these options but not both. My question is, which will be better at 600mm? considering, IQ and AF speed.

I have the canon 70-200 2.8ii so the sigma for its 120-200 range doesn't excite me (neither does the cost or weight). but 300mm f2.8 excites me, so does 400mm f4 but I not sure about 600mm via a 2x TC.

Have anyone come across a direct comparison of these two routes to 600mm?

All opinions greatly welcomed.
thanks in advance.
Alex

600mm for Zoo?? IMHO, 600mm is too long and minimum focusing distance is too long for Zoo unless the animals in your Zoo is kept very far away... IMHO, I think your canon 70-200 2.8ii with 1.4x TC or with 2x is good enough. Anyway, if you really want a 600mm, Tamron 150-600mm is a very good choice since it had a short minimum focusing.

Have a nice day.

 

[Dylan777]

Another vote for Tamron 150-600 when budget is on tight end.

 

[Dylan777]

If you are going to get one white super-tele (and trust me there is no substitute) then either the newer 300mm f2.8 LIS II or an older 400mm f2.8 LIS would be top of my list. The 300 is great for it's size, portability and relative lightness. it takes tele converters every well (1.4x and 2x) and will get you to 600mm f5.6 with ample IQ and can be shot wide open with great sharpness.
The 400L (my personal choice) is very big and very very heavy, but optically, it's one of the finest lenses ever made. It's pretty much untouched optically by a teleconverter. Pop a 1.4x on it and it's a 560mm f4, which is just a bit focal shy of the 600mm f4. Pop a 2x on it and it's a very capable 800mm f5.6.
Anything else is a compromise in my opinion.

I used 24-70 II and 400 f2.8 IS II combo yesterday. I carried this combo on dual BR strap. The weight is not that bad. I have the hood removed to keep it compact, plus I constanly checking the BR connection to make everything remaining nice and tight.

Like you said "it's one of the finest lenses ever made"

 

[Scott_McPhee]

Get the Tamron mate - I have one and I am really delighetd with it.

This was shot with the Tamron at full 600mm - see what you think:


Glasgow Airport 2014 by Scott_McPhee, on Flickr