RFI - Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 vs. ...

[monklet]

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom @ $1000

vs.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens @ $1500

Is the extra $500 worth it?

[AsydaBass]

Hey there,

I can't comment on that particular Sigma, but I can on the Canon. My roommate shoots Canon and has the 100-400 L glass. It is an awesome lens; if it was Nikon, I'd buy it without thinking twice. He also has the Sigma 50-500. While it's alright, especially for the price, it's slow... super slow. Yes, I know it's a f/6.3 and not the 5.6 that your looking at, but it's the only one I have experience with. Optically, it's not a bad lens at all (a bit more yellow than the Canon), again, especially for the price. Though I have seen him miss a few shots because of the lack of speed. Just the little info that I have to contribute.

-Don
www.RainforestDon.com

[monklet]

Very informative ...but by slow, that used to mean max aperture but I suspect you mean the auto-focus? I'm a little behing the times ...and to prove it let me ask, does EF mean electronic focus ...same as AF? The description of the Canon had a clause; "Fulltime Manual Focus"???

[Norman D]

Get the Canon 100-400mm between the 2. Look around I have seen them used on CL for $800-1200. New for $1100-1600 depending on sale/rebates/etc.

[chrish]

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom @ $1000

vs.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens @ $1500

Is the extra $500 worth it?

As for the meaning of the letters...

APO = apochromatic, generally Sigma's better but not best glass (EX is their best)
DG = digital
OS = optical stabilizer = IS in Canon lingo
HSM = USM = hypersonic/ultrasonic motor for fast focusing

EF is Canon's better line of lenses, although there is a wide range of quality in EF lenses. Some EF lenses apparently don't deserve the EF letters. That said, the 100-400 is very good.

I don't know anything about this Sigma, but I can tell you that Sigma's higher end lenses are generally very good. The fact that it has a tripod foot and focuses a little closer would make it tempting at $949. They appear to be comparable lenses otherwise.

[monklet]

Thanks again guys. Especially informative Chris