70-300 v. 50-150 2.8

[smartguy26]

the two tele lenses ive been eyeing are the canon 70-300 f4-5.6 and the sigma 50-150 2.8
im kind of stuck in the middle. the sigma has a constant 2.8 (i like portraiture) but not as much reach for travel or all-around (although i could live with this). the canon has much more reach, and IS, but its not a constant f4 and isn't as solidly built (if i remember correctly).
I was also wondering how the bokeh is in portraits for the 70-300
any sample pics would be appreciated as well

thanks!

these would be for the 30d btw

[fionndruinne]

The 70-300mm is more of a consumer lens, although I've seen good photos made with it.

The Sigma is a high-quality build, and f/2.8 can serve you not only in DoF and low-light conditions, but makes use of a teleconverter more effective. So a maximum of 150mm becomes 225mm with a 1.5x converter, and 300mm with a 2x (although 2x converters tend to reduce quality).

However, I don't know if that 70-300mm bears IS, but the Sigma does not. Something to think about.

[smartguy26]

the 70-300 does indeed have IS, but i dont find that to be a necessary feature

does anyone have any firsthand experience with the softness of the 50-150 @150mm close focusing?
is it a deal breaker or just something to watch out for?

[timmciglobal]

... you don't consider it a needed feature?

You realize you would need 1/500th of a second @ 300mm on a crop body to get sharp results without IS?

Tim

[fionndruinne]

... don't consider it a needed feature because? You haven't tried to shoot in any but the best light with telephoto lengths like this, maybe?:cool:

[smartguy26]

noooooo

i mean that it isnt necessary on the sigma lens
it is on the canon, thats why it has it, but the focal length of the sigma is shorter
lol

again, anyone have any close focusing problems with the sigma?
and ive been looking for a portrait sample from the canon to see the bokeh at 150-300 mm

EDIT:

there is also the tokina 50-135 2.8

[coldrain]

Optically the Canon is superior. It is just sharper over the entire range, and has great colour and contrast.

Bokeh of the 70-300 IS is pleasant, but I can not give you any samples of wide open portrait distance photos... I only shot a few flower and hot air baloon photos with it, it is not mine so I can not make samples for you.

I would prefer the 70-200 f4 L USM over the Sigma 50-150 most probably, because the 70-200 f4 L just has a very nice bokeh (and contrast).

[smartguy26]

thanks coldrain
do you own the 70-200 f4?
i had considered it, but my concerns included size and the conspicuous white color. (and the 70-300 has IS, even if its a bit soft at 300)

[24Peter]

Photo's #1-20 in this gallery all taken with 70-300 IS (pre Canon fix BTW) http://imageevent.com/24peter/lorenafinato
Likewise #32-38 in this gallery: http://imageevent.com/24peter/sarar

Photos #43-56 taken with 70-200 F4 L (non IS): http://imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia

Likewise #30-44 here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/vanessaschafer and #14-30 here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/stevedarmis

In fact, almost all my galleries after Steve's (April 2006) have outdoor portraits with the 70-200 F4 L

[smartguy26]

Photo's #1-20 in this gallery all taken with 70-300 IS (pre Canon fix BTW) http://imageevent.com/24peter/lorenafinato
Likewise #32-38 in this gallery: http://imageevent.com/24peter/sarar

Photos #43-56 taken with 70-200 F4 L (non IS): http://imageevent.com/24peter/klaudiaolivia

Likewise #30-44 here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/vanessaschafer and #14-30 here: http://imageevent.com/24peter/stevedarmis

In fact, almost all my galleries after Steve's (April 2006) have outdoor portraits with the 70-200 F4 L

wow
you have excellent shots with both lenses
though, it might just be me but i think the 70-200 f4 shots pop a little more than the 70-300 shots (?)

i like your style

im leaning more towards the L lens now because of the constant f4 which = better background blur

[24Peter]

im leaning more towards the L lens now because of the constant f4 which = better background blur

You know you can rent both lenses on-line now. There are numerous lens rental places with very reasonable prices. Try 'em both for yourself - then decide.

If Canon had fixed the 70-300 IS before I got rid of mine I probably would have stuck with it. It's an excellent value for the price. The 70-200 F4 has great optics but the lack of IS makes it of limited use. I rented a 70-200 F4 IS recently and that's a really nice lens. IS definitely expands the usefulness of the F4 lens (for instance shooting at dusk) and they improved the optics of an already sharp lens.

[smartguy26]

what was wrong with your 70-300? not calibrated correctly?

[coldrain]

thanks coldrain
do you own the 70-200 f4?
i had considered it, but my concerns included size and the conspicuous white color. (and the 70-300 has IS, even if its a bit soft at 300)
The 70-300 IS is NOT a bit soft at 300mm.

[coldrain]

what was wrong with your 70-300? not calibrated correctly?
The 1st production run of the 70-300 IS had a production error, where an optical element was shifting in some way n portrait orientation.
That has been fixed a long time ago already.

The best lens in this class of course remains the 70-200 F4 L IS, it is maybe the best tele zoom lens across all brands optically, but it does cost more.

[smartguy26]

hmm
even though the 70-200 is ridiculously sharp, my needs are not professional (yet ;)) so i think ill be happy with the 70-300
now, if the 70-200 f4 IS werent nearly double the price of the f4 non IS, my answer might be different

thanks to everyone
youve been a big help

oh, and im just wondering,
peter, did you use the 70-300 professionally? the shots in your galleries are very good

[24Peter]

oh, and im just wondering,
peter, did you use the 70-300 professionally? the shots in your galleries are very good

smartguy - that's something I'm still wondering myself... :o

Some of the stuff in my galleries were paid shoots; some were done for my portfolio. I definitely haven't turned the corner yet on being a "professional" though. Still have a lot of technique to master and client-base to build for that. But hopefully soon. :)

On your lens choice, I think you made the right decision. The 70-300 IS is a great lens for the money. Very easy to use and very forgiving.