Thread: Which telephoto would you get?

I prefer the value of third party lenses. Like this one:
200-500mm F2.8 APO EX DG - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

Cheers, Steve

THis one is a little more practical (perhaps): Unleashing “The Beast” | Analysis & Opinion |

You'll have the presidential security looking closely at that one to make sure it isn't a real cannon!

I hopped into a lift in a Melbourne hotel once with two scruffy photographers with their cameras standing upright on the lenses beside them. The bodies were both at waist height, and they were not short people... They declined to tell me who was in town...

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by 300+

I prefer the value of third party lenses. Like this one:
200-500mm F2.8 APO EX DG - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

Cheers, Steve

I would like to see some good avian images with it. I would do some search
I know that the Sigma 300 f/2.8 is very sharp and good value. Only the tripod mounting is crap.
Here are some comments about it.

Back in the real world, assuming you have something in the 200mm range for general stuff I'd go for the 400 2.8 with a TC. If not, the zoom will be a better lens most of the time. Of course when a 400mm is exactly the right length the prime will be better.

I've only got a 75-300 (APS-C), but there are a lot of times when I'm not using the full length. If you only have a 400mm you may find that you are walking backwards a lot to get everything in the frame.

Cheers, Steve

You are lucky Steve, I use my 70-300VR @ 300mm 95% of the time
I guess that I need 500mm focal range all the time for my birds photography

I'm now primarily shooting FX so the 400 may not be as big an issue (no pun intended). Need to think and research more.

Arthur have you seen the long lens rail kits that are available. RRS one is here: Long Lens Support Packages - (the web site is a bit error prone since they changed it recently)

Hi dmd,

Had (sold 2 months ago) a 400mm 2.8 (last of the non VR's). Always used on Gitzo 1410 leg's with a Wimberly II gimbal head on a DX body.

The wimberly is one of the best pieces of camera equipment i've ever purchased, with lens foot it's around $600 from the US(well, was when I bought it 3 years ago). I've used the 400 on a ball head before, its got nothing on the gimbal. You'd be crazy to use any of the mentioned lenses on a ball head you have to tighten/clamp down after each shot.

I never used it for bird photo's, mainly action/sports. If you want to see some images I can post a few.

To be honest, I doubt you could make a wrong decision if you bought any of them. The 400 worked perfect for me straight away, but that was more so because I had it, and used it appropriately.

So go buy one, and use it.