Best option

Assuming it would take $1300 to get one that would be like new, you

I have found a Sigma 120-400mm at amazon.com for $899. Does anyone knows or have used this model?

Hi mlino...


You may want to take a look at the Sigma 50-500 and it's capabilities over here. BHP has it for 1599.99, sorry not sure of your budget constraints.The non-OS model may be plenty cheaper but may also be hard to find.


However, at that price I would stick with the Canon 100-400 even though I don't fancy the push-pull design -I guess it comes down to both budget and convenience if you don't mind dealing with Sigma's QC issues.

I

Hi btaylor...


Just out of curiousity, which *flavour* of the Sigma did you have, the OS or non-OS?

To be honest I

May 2010, Blue Angles Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. All shots with EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens on EOS 50D.

Tkerr,


Impressive pictures! This Canon 100-400mm seems to be the best option. I gonna buy one!

The 100-400 is by far the most popular Canon aviation lens in my opinion. For a good reason too, not only is it good IQ, it is versatile. For airshows that is very useful, different size planes, vastly changing distances.


However, I wonder, where do you intend to photograph planes with this lens? If you are taking shots only at an operational base then 200mm on a crop body is sufficient in my opinion, but it is not enough for airshows. I have a 200mm f/2.8 II and a 1.4x extender. I do miss the versatility of the zoom but this is a cheap way of getting a fast 2.8 lens (for other uses) and a 280mm f/4.0 lens when I need more reach. A lot of aviation guys use the 70-200mm f/4.0 (highly recommended if you don't need 400mm) and a 1.4x extender for when they need it. But if price is not important then the 100-400 is the better option if versatility is key.


If 400mm is what you need though, and nothing else, then the 400mm 5.6 prime is better than the 100-400 at the long end. The 300mm f/4.0 is a nice lens too.


Looking at your above choices, I will quickly say that IS is not required for aviation shots in the air for moving planes, your shutter speed will be high enough for IS to be irrelevant. Also a fast lens like a 2.8 is not essential either. But, if you intend to use this lens for other things then IS or fast glass may be very important to you for other reasons.


I'd avoid most SIgmas/Tamrons personally because I like a fast autofocus system like Canon's USM for this type of photography.


Shot from the 200mm; http://www.craighollisaviation.fotopic.net/p68057409.html


Craig.

I ordered today a Canon 100-400mm @ amazon.com. Thanks!