Canon 400mm vs Sigma 150 - 500 mm lenses

[alan crossley]

I have been using the Sigma 150-500 mm for about 18 months and are quite pleased with it but I am thinking of buying a Canon 400mm prime lens ( not the IS version, only in my dreams!). What I would like is anyones views on this lens and wether it is worth changing lens. I am using a canon 7d and basically take pictures of birds plus anything that flies.

[IanF]

The Canon 400mm f5,6 L is about the best lens there is for the price and for hand holding for bird photos - it's not too heavy and the narrow lens barrel is comfortable to hand hold. It's a very sharp lens so can be used wide open at f5,6. I often use photos that are straight crops using this lens. I think you'll notice a big difference in image quality between it and the Sigma - even though the Sigma can produce decent results as well.

[Ray. Scott]

Having tried the Canon fit sigma 150 - 500, there is a very noticeable difference in image quality when compared to Canons 400 prime, the plus side being the Canon, and as Ian mentioned It's very sharp wide open.
You wont regret moving to the Canon + it works very well with the 7D.
You've only got to look through IanF's photos to see what can be achieved with the same combination.

Don't know where you live, but I'm willing to meet if not to far, and can try mine before you make a decision. 

[alan crossley]

Thanks for the offer Razor, I live in Billingham and would welcome the opportunity to have a try with your lens. At the moment Saturday mornings are my only free time but will be free all week leading upto Xmas.
Thanks guys for taking the time to reply, buying the Cann lens is a major investment and one not to get wrong.

[StewH]

I use the same set up.  I bought after a long trawl through other folk's images on the net, as well as direct comparison personally.

To my mind, there is no comparison between the two, with the Canon prime lens outperforming the Sigma zoom significantly.  As another alternative, if you like the flexibility of the zoom, the Canon 100-400 IS is also an excellent lens.

Stew.

[Ray. Scott]

Thanks for the offer Razor, I live in Billingham and would welcome the opportunity to have a try with your lens. At the moment Saturday mornings are my only free time but will be free all week leading upto Xmas.
Thanks guys for taking the time to reply, buying the Cann lens is a major investment and one not to get wrong.

PM me prior to the lead up week to xmas and I'll try and arrange a meet for that week, It's possible that I could be down that way this Saturday but can't say for sure yet.
Having said that, are you likely to be out & about regardless, if so where are you likely to be, just in case I manage to get down that way.

[alan crossley]

I am intending to be at the Zinc rd/Seaton Snook area on Saturday morning early if all goes to plan. Have not seen woodcock for some time,hope there are still there, no daylight after work at this time of year.
Razor if you don't make then I will get in touch some time next week, thanks again for the offer.

[ken tait]

Read your question, I am using the 400 canon prime and I am quite a novice at this kind of photography but do find the lens very good.
If you are unable to meet up with razor send me an e mail or tele 01740 657740 and I can offer the same, you can try it out.I am available most times.

[TobyAW]

Hi Alan,

Just another offer of a lens trial. I have the 400 and if you're ever at Saltholme let me know and you can have a play. I'm in this weekend if you want to pop in before or after you go to Seaton

Toby

[alan crossley]

Thanks for all the help/advice and after much thought I have decided to stay with my Sigma. The main reason for this decision is after having a hands on session ( thanks again Ray) I found I could not keep the lens steady enough to take sharp pictures unlike the Sigma with its IS system. Dissapointing as I found the quality of the lens excellent, the auto focus was stunning.
Handling the 400 lens make me even more impressed with the quality of pictures Ian, Ray and others take.
As a thought what is the Canon 100-400 mm lens like?

[IanF]

Thanks for all the help/advice and after much thought I have decided to stay with my Sigma. The main reason for this decision is after having a hands on session ( thanks again Ray) I found I could not keep the lens steady enough to take sharp pictures unlike the Sigma with its IS system. Dissapointing as I found the quality of the lens excellent, the auto focus was stunning.
Handling the 400 lens make me even more impressed with the quality of pictures Ian, Ray and others take.
As a thought what is the Canon 100-400 mm lens like?

The 100-400 IS is a very good lens as well. However I find the autofocus is slightly slower so it's not as good as the 400mm prime for birds in flight. Plus the body is slightly wider, heavier and less comfortable to hold. The IS is very effective though giving about 2-stops extra. People have different ideas about it's sharpness, some say it's slightly soft but I've always found it's a very sharp lens - though as some people suggest image quality may vary between different lenses.

You can add a teleconverter but image quality does suffer compared to using one with the prime lens, but not as much as it does with many zoom lenses.

Of course you've also got the versatility of the greater zoom range for framing and for other subjects. Overall I think it's prettty much on a par with the 400mm f5,6. You just choose one or the other to suit your particular needs.

[DavieG]

Hi Ian

Got to stay back at work tomorrow now so can't make our meeting at 2pm. Sorry about this, but I was dragged into doing it. I would still very much like to meet. Given the current threat of more snow etc, it might be best if I post on here the day before I would like to meet rather than set a time now. Definitely sometime over Christmas, if that's okay with you? Thanks.

[IanF]

Hi Ian

Got to stay back at work tomorrow now so can't make our meeting at 2pm. Sorry about this, but I was dragged into doing it. I would still very much like to meet. Given the current threat of more snow etc, it might be best if I post on here the day before I would like to meet rather than set a time now. Definitely sometime over Christmas, if that's okay with you? Thanks.

There's no rush. We'll just see how it goes.

[alan crossley]

Hi Toby,
Thanks for the offer to have a play with your 400mm lens, I know in my last e-mail I make sound like I have give up on buying one but over the last few days I have read a lot reviews of this lens. As a result I feel I might being a bit hasty so if possiple Toby ( and weather permitting) I will be at Saltholme on Saturday morning at about 10.00 to take you up your offer.