#1  
Old 25-08-2008, 06:45 PM
astroturf (Bryan)
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Lens Choice

Hi all

I cant make a decision on which zoom lens to buy for use with my 40D

The lenses I'm looking at are: Canon 70-200 F4L

Canon 70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM

& Sigma 70-200 F2.8
I'd love to hear of any opinions/comparisons on any of these

Cheers
Bryan
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  #2  
Old 26-08-2008, 04:24 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Hi Bryan

The L series would win out in terms of quality and sharpness, without a doubt. It's just a bit slower than the Sigma and doesn't have the zoom range of the 70-300.

What are the respective prices?
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Old 26-08-2008, 05:32 AM
astroturf (Bryan)
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Thanks Mike

the 70-200 F4L is $800, the 70-300 IS is $650, & the Sigma is $880, all are + freight
The image stabilisation seems like a very good thing, however the Sigma has a trade off with larger aperture & to a lesser extent the 70-200L

Bryan
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Old 26-08-2008, 11:06 AM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Hi Bryan,
I have the Canon 70-200mm f4L which I use for both Astro and "normal" photography!
I can recommend this lens for astro imaging where the need for IS is non existent. For daytime use the lack of IS at 200mm may be an issue, but it has never been for me so far.

The lens gives a beautiful flat field from edge to edge - no cropping off elongated stars due to coma. It also works very well with the Canon 1.4x extender giving a FL of 280mm@f5.6.
Please take a look at my signature gallery to view some pics taken with this lens (They are: Eta Complex, Triffid and Lagoon, Antares Region, Southern Cross and M7)

I reckon the Canon 70-300mm wouldn't be in the same class as the L lens for astro work, and I've read good reports about the Sigma f2.8.
Here's a great review site for these lenses...http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos

All the best with your decision, I vote for the f4L! (biased moi!?)
Doug
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Old 26-08-2008, 11:16 AM
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RB (Andrew)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astroturf View Post
Hi all

I cant make a decision on which zoom lens to buy for use with my 40D
...
I'd love to hear of any opinions/comparisons on any of these
Bryan
Hi Bryan, what are you mainly going to use it for, terrestrial or astro?
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Old 26-08-2008, 11:41 AM
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I would ( and did ) go for the 70-200 F/4L its a stunning lens that has rarely if ever let me down as far as focus/image quality...

I would recommend it in a heartbeat.

I'm yet to try it with a 1.4x Extender.. but I have one in transit to me at the moment...
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Old 26-08-2008, 02:41 PM
astroturf (Bryan)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RB View Post
Hi Bryan, what are you mainly going to use it for, terrestrial or astro?

thanks guys, all opinions appreciated
when I first posted on this topic, I would have said 95% terrestial use
After seeing some of Dougs images (nice eta C. Doug!) I'm starting to see other possibilities,
The 70-200 F4L is starting to sway me, have you guys used it a lot for terrestial ? if so do you find it easy to hold steady particularly with slower shutter speeds

Cheers
Bryan
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Old 26-08-2008, 03:11 PM
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i've used mine only for terrestrial so far. It does not have is and i've yet to have much of a problem. At iso 400 even able to shoot hand held at dusk..
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Old 26-08-2008, 03:48 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Sigma 70-200 F2.8
.. the Sigma is $880, all are + freight

I'd love to hear of any opinions/comparisons on any of these
Bryan
Bryan is this the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 you're talking about?
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...16&navigator=3

Have you got a link to where it's available for $880, sounds reasonably cheap?
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Old 26-08-2008, 04:04 PM
astroturf (Bryan)
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Bryan is this the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 you're talking about?
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...16&navigator=3

Have you got a link to where it's available for $880, sounds reasonably cheap?



Correction - make that $890 + freight

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Sigma-70-200m...QQcmdZViewItem

is it a good lens?

Bryan
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  #11  
Old 26-08-2008, 05:03 PM
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Correction - make that $890 + freight
is it a good lens?

Bryan
Bryan I generally recommend Canon lenses.
Obviously there's good and bad ones.

Sigma make some fine lenses too, this seems to be one of them.
Considering the price and that it's an f/2.8 with macro capability then it's a great alternative to the Canon 70-200L f/4

You won't regret the Canon 70-200 that's for sure, but if I was in your position I'd also seriously consider the Sigma.

Maybe check out a few more reviews on the net too and see what others say.
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Old 27-08-2008, 03:37 PM
astroturf (Bryan)
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Happy ending

I have now taken ownership of a new Canon 70-200 F4L ($799 at DDPhotographics - pickup)
there's no turning back
it seems like a very well built unit
more comments later
thanks to all

Bryan
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Old 27-08-2008, 03:57 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astroturf View Post
I have now taken ownership of a new Canon 70-200 F4L ($799 at DDPhotographics - pickup)
there's no turning back
it seems like a very well built unit
more comments later
thanks to all

Bryan
Nice one Bryan - I'm sure you won't regret this purchase.
Doug
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  #14  
Old 27-08-2008, 04:10 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Congrats Bryan, I know you will love the Canon.
Looking forward to your shots.

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  #15  
Old 27-08-2008, 04:47 PM
snowyskiesau
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It's a great lens.
I have the IS version and I'm very happy with it.
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  #16  
Old 27-08-2008, 06:43 PM
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Congrats Bryan i have that lens to and use it all the time. Great lens.
Phil
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