Sigma 100-400 for Canon APS-C

Hello everyone

I am planning to buy myself the Sigma 100-400mm F/5.0-6.3 DG OS HSM for Canon.

I currently own and use a Canon EOS 80D which is an APS-C camera. I'm saying that because I know for a fact that some lenses give different results on full frame cameras.

Anyways, I have looked at some reviews for the lens and they are quite promising for a lens that costs around 800€ (here in switzerland). But I want some people to tell me their personal experience with that particular lens.

In some reviews it is also stated that the image stabilization doesn't work that well and that you need to buy the sigma USB-Dock to tweak the IS so it works properly. Is that true? Because if not I don't see any reason spend an extra 50€ for the dock.

Any help is appreciated!

Greetings and happy holidays ;)

Adrian

BTW, have you considered the Tamron 100-400? I'm about to buy it instead of the Sigma for my D7200 and that's because I've heard that Sigma is a bit worse when it comes to the autofocus performance as compared to the Tamron. The IS is apparently much better than in the Sigma - as reviewers pointed out. Not to mention that the Tamron is a bit cheaper (at least here in Poland).

Also have in mind that you can buy (separately - which I believe makes the lens itself cheaper) a tripod collar for the Tamron while it isn't available for Sigma at all - it doesn't have the mount for it. These lenses are both light, right, but you never know when you'll need one.

Don't buy the Tamron, it's shit. Autofocus doesn't work properly for fast moving objects. I have plenty of pictures with a soft nose beginning at the cockpit windshield. The price is fabulous but performance for action isn't very good. I reported it to Tamron and they replaced it with another one (different serial number). But the performance was the same...

Thanks Kuba and Dominik for your replies

Yes I have looked at tamron's 100-400mm lens but as dominik said, that's why I'm not buying that one. So I will stick to the sigma lens.

For me the sigma offers top quality for a reasonably cheap price.

But keep in mind that I just can speak for the Nikon version! Might be that the Canon AF-Rework is better as they have to reengineer how the AF works...

That's why I'd like some canon users to tell me their experience with that lens

Canol L = Mercedes S class

Sigma = Audi A4

Tamron = Opel Corsa

Rather invest in second hand Canon 100-400 L lens than in new Tamron. I own Sigma 150-600 latest one..it is really good lens but for shooting owls and parked airplanes....not comparable to Canon with speed, IS, you name it...but it can give you beautiful results in perfects weather conditions.

Had a long time ago Tamron wide lens for some time, pretty nice results baut way to far from Canon 16-35 f2.8.II L

My friends who own Tamrons are complaining all the time...

All written is about plane spotting photography and my experiences.

But after all, it is all about getting sharp shot, the editing skills come after and no one will know was it taken with Canon or Tamron.

My advice is rather invest in new Canon body (at least full frame new 6D mark II or older 6D...or go for 7D mark II. of course if your budget allows it - you'll notice the difference right away!!), it is not all about lenses...sensors are damn important too...

Best of luck!

Boytronic

Thank you boytronic

Well I got my 80D almost exactly a year ago so there is no way I will already upgrade my camera.

From what I've seen in the reviews for the sigma lens (also side-by-side comparisons with the canon L) is that the sharpness of the pics from the sigma lens are just a hint better than the canon. AF is basically the same but it's really that IS that needs the said tweaking via USB-Dock. That's why I want to get that particular lens in the first place because of the hint more sharpness and basically equal AF. The second reason is that I'm getting all that for half the price (about 1900 euros for canon and 780 euros for sigma).

As of right now I am not really considering a purchase in the next two months because my bank account is stll crying after christmas shopping :')

But I really want to make sure I get a good quality product and not repeat a past mistake.

Thanks everyone for your help :)