LHRSIMON From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 1342 posts, RR: 25 Posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 6342 times:
Well as a few of you are aware I have had major issues with my Canon 300 L IS USM F/4.0. Now I know this lens SHOULD be the best in its class but to be honest I have had so many problems with my 300 L that im thinking if I get my money back I may try another lens.
So here's the question. For a budget of appx £850-£900 what are the alternatives. It needs to have a range of at least 300-400 mm. I was thinking of the Sigma 100-300 (I think its f4). I would have liked to get the 100-300 f2.8 like Chris Sharps , but that's £1300 odd quid !!! I also thought of maybe the 400 L USM F5.6. Comments anyone.....
I may decide to risk a Canon 300 L IS USM F4.0 again but I just would like some comments on what else is out there from people that have used it .....
Cheers
Simon C
PS : Oh it needs to work on auto focus with a 1.4 extender as well.
Canon 1D Mk III,Canon 20D+17-40 L f4.0,70-200 L IS USM f2.8,400 L USM f5.6,135 mm L f2.0, 50 mm f1.8,1.4 x II extender
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 1, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 6312 times:
Quoting LHRSIMON (Thread starter): Oh it needs to work on auto focus with a 1.4 extender as well.
Then I think you can't get a lens smaller than an f4. I think I said that right. In other words what you need for AF with a 1.4 TC on a 10D and a 20D is an f4 or bigger, i.e. f2.8.
OD720 From Lebanon, joined Feb 2003, 1919 posts, RR: 36 Reply 2, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 6296 times:
Quoting LHRSIMON (Thread starter): I would have liked to get the 100-300 f2.8 like Chris Sharps
That's actually 120-300 mm and I had the chance to try it at a local shop here and is fantastic, a little heavy though.
The Sigma 100-300 F4 is on my wishlist and I hear that it works fine with a 1.4 TC. It sounds good value for money but I haven't tried it and only have read reviews which are mostly positive.
Tin67 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 6293 times:
Hi Simon,
I must admit that I too was considering a change.
I have been disappointed with results from my Canon 300mm f4 IS and was considering the latest DG version of the Sigma 300mm f2.8.
I used to have a Sigma 300mm f2.8 EX HSM and optically it was superb, however mine was let down by build quality and I also found the autofocus to be a bit slow with a tendency to hunt.
I contacted Sigma and they assured me that this is a new lens has improved technology so my old issue with AF should be resolved. I think build on mine was unusual, a Friday afternoon lens!
As I mentioned before the results on my old Sigma were amazing. In fact the EOS 10D + Sigma was better than my EOS 1DII + Canon 300. I cannot fault the optics on the Sigma.
If the build and AF are improved the new Sigma 300 f2.8 EX DG promises to be a great lens. Seeing as I can't stretch to the Canon 300 f2.8 it's a definite possibility once I've seen some reviews (hopefully) and had a play.
LHRSIMON From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 1342 posts, RR: 25 Reply 6, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 6245 times:
Hi Martin...
Jeeez you think YOUR 300 L is a problem !!!! Remember when we swapped lenses at LHR and i borrowed your 300 L to compair how poor mine was. Well when i had your lens this photo was the result !!!!!!!! My second most popular photo and imho one of my best.
If you think your lens is poor good knows what you would think of my pathetic effort of a 300L. If your Sigma was a Friday afternoon lens, i think mine was an "in the pub Friday at 11.15 pm lens" !!!!!
I am now returning my 300 L to 7Dayshop under their instructions. Im hoping to get my money back. If that happens Martin do you fancy selling your old 300 L if you upgrade to the Sigma. I know your lens is spot on and it seems imho that 300 L's seem to be either superb or complete guff !!! Let me know if its something you may be interested in doing. Of course this will all depend on if 7dayshop give a full refund !!! As for the Sigma im pretty sure that lens is going to be well out my price range of under £900.00. Any idea what the price is going to be. Maybe 7dayshop will offer a swap if their about the same !!!!
Cheers
Simon C
Canon 1D Mk III,Canon 20D+17-40 L f4.0,70-200 L IS USM f2.8,400 L USM f5.6,135 mm L f2.0, 50 mm f1.8,1.4 x II extender
Mygind66 From Spain, joined May 2004, 1058 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6223 times:
Simon..
I really regret you had problems with the 300/4 L lens.
I've bought a second hand one and since that day this lens just has given me happy days and perfect photos. The AF is superb and the optics are not far away to the no reachable 2.8.
Tin67 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 6187 times:
Hi Simon,
I can see from the result on your BA 777 that my lens obviously hit the mark in you hands. Maybe I need to get my 1D II checked out ot maybe it's just me! As I get nearer to 40 my steadiness isn't what it used to be
The Sigma is £1699 or there abouts so it's a lot of money and for me to buy one, I'd not only need to sell the EF300 but also my rarely used EF17-40. It's a thought for me at the moment, but I'd need to try the Sigma out before making the change.
Here's a couple of results from my Sigma, the first 2 with a 10D the others with my 1D MkII.
Chris78cpr From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2813 posts, RR: 52 Reply 9, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 6150 times:
I have the 120-300 and it really is a great lens! I love mine and will use it for a long while, that is until i can afford a 300F2.8LIS.
Simon, go for the 400F5.6L, great lens and different from what you have now. The 70-200 IS and a 1.4x get you a 280mmF4IS which is nearly the same as a 300!
Chris
5D2/7D/1D2(soon to be a 1Dx) 17-40L/24-105L/70-200F2.8L/100-400L/24F1.4LII/50F1.2L/85F1.2LII
LHRSIMON From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 1342 posts, RR: 25 Reply 10, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 6116 times:
Quoting Chris78cpr (Reply 9): Simon, go for the 400F5.6L, great lens and different from what you have now. The 70-200 IS and a 1.4x get you a 280mmF4IS which is nearly the same as a 300!
Yes thats what i though Chris. But i was hoping that with a pinsharp 300 + 1.4 i would get a 420 mm. But still be able to kick down to a straight 300 is need be.... We that was the plan anyway !!!
Does the 400 f5.6 work with the AF. Also whats the 400 + 1.4 like. Again does the AF work with this combo ????
Cheers
Canon 1D Mk III,Canon 20D+17-40 L f4.0,70-200 L IS USM f2.8,400 L USM f5.6,135 mm L f2.0, 50 mm f1.8,1.4 x II extender
Chris78cpr From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2813 posts, RR: 52 Reply 11, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 6090 times:
On 20D 400F5.6 will not AF with a 1.4 but will do without.
Quality with 1.4 is good if u can get hang on MF!
Chris
5D2/7D/1D2(soon to be a 1Dx) 17-40L/24-105L/70-200F2.8L/100-400L/24F1.4LII/50F1.2L/85F1.2LII
CX777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 152 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 6056 times:
Although I use it for closeup angels...it has worked flawlessly for me over the last year. However IMHO the focus lock-on is slowest of all the "L" lenses I use 28-70/f2.8, 100-400/f5.6 & 70-200/f2.8)
Bell407 From South Africa, joined Dec 2004, 31 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 6040 times:
Greetings All,
I purchased the Sigma 70-300mm F4 - 5.6 II APO Macro Super lens in April this year and have been pleasantly surprised by its capabilities.
It still takes quite a bit getting used to, but it has given me more options with a step up from my Sigma 55-200mm F4 - 5.6 DC. I still however, hold the 55-200mm lens in high regard.
Cheers,
Marc
"If the wings are moving faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter"
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I know your lens is spot on and it seems imho that 300 L's seem to be either superb or complete guff !!! Let me know if its something you may be interested in doing. Of course this will all depend on if 7dayshop give a full refund !!! As for the Sigma im pretty sure that lens is going to be well out my price range of under £900.00. Any idea what the price is going to be. Maybe 7dayshop will offer a swap if their about the same !!!! 
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From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 152 posts, 
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