07-12-2013 08:56 PM
Hi. I am considering purchasing either the Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens or the Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM lens.
I'm looking for anyone that can tell me more about either of these lenses & their own personal experience with them.
07-12-2013 10:34 PM
What do you intend to use them for? Also what body will you use? I DO own the 28-300 L IS & use it a lot, and DID own the NON OS version of the Saigma 50-500 so do have some thoughts that might relate to the OS version even though it's new & improved. I shoot Radio Control events so my needs are fast AF and a big range from wide to long if possible but I also need to do my thing hand held for several hours without a break. The Canon 35-350 L (long go discontinued), 28-300 L IS & 100-400 L IS meet my needs and there's a chance the 70-200 f 2.8 L's & a TC might too but the Sigma 80-400 OS & the 50-500 NON OS couldn't track the planes well enough primarily due to them NOT having a focus limiter switch. They were however sharp enough to take similar enough photos that in my personal testing met my requirements for any lens.
07-13-2013 01:07 AM
I have a Canon t3i, but hope to upgrade in the future. I am fairly new to photography and am looking for an all purpose lens. I have the 18-55mm kit lens & have used a Canon 70-300mm lens, but I feel that they are a bit limiting. At this point, I am not very comfortable changing lenses for different needs while out shooting. My interest is in nature & wildlife photography.
07-13-2013 09:03 PM
When it comes to wildlife we never seem to have a long enough lens so if that's your prime interest I'd recommend the Sigma 50-500 over any xx-300 because 300 is not long enough. That said both the Sigma & the 28-300 L IS are HEAVY as walk around or hiking lenses. If you intend to stay with crop bodies (prefered for wildlife because of the artificial reach advantage) I'm goint to recommend that you consider a lighter superzoom like the Tamron 18-270 VC as your walkaround lens and if your budget allows maybe add the 50-500 for your wildlife shooting BUT it's not the greatest for birds in flight (due to slow AF compared to Canon 400 f5.6 or 100-400 L IS). You could also consider the 100-400 L IS as a very useful wildlife lens but it is shorter than the Sigma and there are times you'll miss that extra 100 mm's.
07-17-2013 09:12 PM
07-19-2013 06:57 PM
I've been in same delema. First off, the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM is the lens for you for shooting wildlife. You can match it with a tele-extender and get wonderful photos at quite a range. It also focuses fast, which I'm afraid your 40D will not be able to keep up with. When shooting wildlife you will want to shoot lots of frames per second, and have a fast focus body, like the Canon EOS 7D, or possibly the new 70D. I would look at Adorama, they are now having a sale on the refurbished 7D, and could possibly set you up on a used 100-400mm L lens. Keep in mind when you mention wildlife, you start talking about expensive.
B-E
07-20-2013 06:14 PM
07-20-2013 08:14 PM - edited 07-20-2013 08:16 PM
09-06-2013 12:24 PM
I am also considering the 28-300 for a 5D III that I will be purchaisng. I have driven my self crazy comparing lenes and considering the draw backs to having a super zoom. I have a 7D that I can use with a TC and 70-300 IS USM lens for reach. Any thoughs on on the 28-300 as a walk around besides it being heavy?
09-06-2013 05:53 PM
It's both heavy & a bit bulky but the other thing to know about it is that it gets noticed. If you're trying to blend in while shooting general stuff it's a bit hard thanks to the while color & physical size. I used mine as my walk about lens last vacation mounted to a 1D4 with great results but it got heavy on long walks & I have a wide & comfortable strap which I wear across my chest / back & not hanging from my neck. .
02/20/2025: New firmware updates are available.
RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z - Version 1.0.6
RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z - Version 1.0.9
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM - Version 1.0.8
RF50mm F1.4 L VCM - Version 1.0.2
RF24mm F1.4 L VCM - Version 1.0.3
01/27/2025: New firmware updates are available.
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EOS C300 Mark III - Version 1..0.9.1
EOS C500 Mark II - Version 1.1.3.1
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