Iv been browsing for potentially my next lens

Already got a few but want something longer

Seen these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Telephoto-zoom-lens-4-5-5-6/dp/B00005QF6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278538936&sr=8-1
http://www.comeuro.net/webshop/product.php?productid=35629

Now obviously the canon L series will be awesome but.. well its twice the frikkin price! Is it worth the extra? Will i see a difference on my 450D?

The Canon is a very high quality lens but you almost certainly wont see very much difference. Unless you want to go Pro or semi-Pro get something cheaper.

Other alternatives...

Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens - Canon Fit - £719

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-150-500mm-f5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-lens-canon-fit/p1025305

Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 SP Di Lens - Canon Fit - £864.99

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-tamron-200-500mm-f5-6-3-sp-di-lens-canon-fit/p1005212

If you are already sorted up to the start of these then you gain an extra 100mm, good for wildlife photography. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend. Do go for Image Stabilisation over larger aperture.

Also remember that you are using a small sensor camera, you need to use a multiplier of 1.6x on the length of lens. Also consider the cost of some means of support, such as a monopod.

As always shop around and use a CREDIT CARD to pay.

I have no direct experience of any of the lenses in this comparison, but I did find this side by side test between the 4 obvious choices

http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/canon_100-400_sigma_120-400_150-500_50-500.htm

Looks like the Canon is the best, but is it TWICE as good as the Sigma? your call

You should check out 2nd hand places, you should be able to pick up that Canon L much cheaper. People tend to take care of their L glass!

Check out Gumtree, Eos Magazine Classifieds and Photography on the Net for sale section.

Yeah i might check out the 2nd hand market.

I already have sigma F2.8 70-200 without OS lens which is why i looked at the sigma to compare with the canon

Definitely wanting IS or OS on whatever i get though.

Quote from: SeriousSigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens - Canon Fit - £719

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-150-500mm-f5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-lens-canon-fit/p1025305

I like the look of that, seen a used one for £675 so might go for that.

Quote from: MongooseI have no direct experience of any of the lenses in this comparison, but I did find this side by side test between the 4 obvious choices

http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/canon_100-400_sigma_120-400_150-500_50-500.htm

Looks like the Canon is the best, but is it TWICE as good as the Sigma? your call

I doubt if anyone would notice the better optics of the Canon at normal print sizes, probably not even A4 The extra 100mm on the other lenses gives an entirely different advantage, IMO more than balancing the situation.

TBH Ive been considering the Sigma 150-500 myself but would it give me enough real advantage over adding a 500mm Tamron mirror lens to my present setup?

Quote from: SeriousTBH Ive been considering the Sigma 150-500 myself but would it give me enough real advantage over adding a 500mm Tamron mirror lens to my present setup?

Arent mirror lenses notorious for being a bit ropey?

Quote from: Binary Shadow

Quote from: SeriousTBH Ive been considering the Sigma 150-500 myself but would it give me enough real advantage over adding a 500mm Tamron mirror lens to my present setup?

Arent mirror lenses notorious for being a bit ropey?

Most are ropey, the Tamron ones are probably the best. They are all limited to F8 though and anything out of focus appears as a donut ring rather than a splodge. On the worst quality ones this ring can be oval.

Really it depends on the quality of the mirrors. At the other end of the scale you end up with massive telescopes like NASA Space Telescope, I doubt if anyone could claim that is ropey*.

*at least since it was fixored  :mutley:

the problem with mirror lenses is the central obstruction. It limits the contrast so the images more or less always end up looking dull and lacking in punch.

The good ones are ok, the bad ones are rubbish. I used to have a Centon 500mm mirror and sold it after I realised I actually got a better image by cropping the middle out of my Pentax 80-320 on full zoom. Reportedly the Tamron is significantly better and obviously the big advantage with mirror lenses is they are small and light for their focal length.