Quandary!
 

I have a Sigma 100-300mm f4 HSM - I actually bought the lens second hand before I got a camera to use it on. It is a very good lens and on the 40D it is a very fast focussing lens - even adding a 1.4x. In the past i've used fairly heavy lenses [for handholding anyway] - spent the winter of 2005/6 using an old Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 plus tcon, before that a Sigma 135-400mm - but I'm wondering whether to admit to the onset of old age and swap it for a Canon 70-300 IS USM. I've seen the suggested monopod setup [thanks!] but my happy snapping tends to be mainly during long dog walks - one eye on the dog and keep moving! For the past year I used various olympus models and a Zuiko 50-200 f2.8 - light and beautifully balanced and smooth - but sloooow to focus and not the best option for flying birds [others with better technique may have fared better] - that setup does make using a Canon 40D plus heavy lens feel like as real millstone round the neck after a 3 hour walk. The best equipment, after all, is the equipment you use - oooh...decisions....what should I do?? No suggestions for expensive lenses please...this would have to be a sell one to buy one as I can't spend any more money on camera gear this year.

Hi Sue, I was going to suggest the 100-400 f/4.5 which would be ideal for your bird photos. I always considered this to be a lightweight lens, That was until I checked out the specs, Twice the weight of the 70-300mm at 1380 grams.

So how about approaching your problem from another angle and look at the Op-tec Pro camera straps. http://www.optech-online.co.uk/lst67.htm The blurb says "Equipment instantly feels 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable when using a PRO STRAP™" .

I use these straps on all my cameras and agree with the above statement.

What do you call expensive? Can you borrow the Canon 70-300 IS off anybody or even hire one to make sure you do not make an expensive mistake? The Canon is reputedly a sharp lens but you are losing a stop so not sure how well a TC will work although gaining 4 stops with the IS as far as shake goes. I have not seen the Canon in the flesh but it is a so called budget lens and will no doubt be built accordingly.

Thanks Harry - I think one of those straps would be a good idea whatever the lens attached - much more comfortable than the Canon one i should imagine.

Photozone review of the 70-300
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...56is/index.htm

Build quality is not, I imagine, anywhere near as good as the sigma and certainly at the budget end of the Canon range. I would'nt envisage using it with a tcon - far too slow. It's all a matter of compromise and, after using my 28-135 IS today in grey drizzly weather, the thought of IS does seem appealing.

The old budget thing comes into this but I have the Canon 70-300 DO IS which I love but some don't like. It is fairly heavy but I put it in a small Tamrac holster case which I obviously wear on the hip with a second strap going over one shoulder. Being a short (when closed) lens it fits snugly in this with the lens hood, which is essential, fitting in reverse whilst it is in the case. The weight being on the hip makes it easy to carry and I sometimes have other lenses in their cases attached on the other side of the belt. Well made lens which does work with my Kenko 1.4 converter on my 20D in good light at least. Fast focus and 3 stops IS. Had to save for it though, better try the Optech strap first!

Is it worth having a functional (as opposed to fashionable) rucksack? How much of the time are you shooting/on location and how much coming and going? Presume the Sigma as usual has its own case.

I've got a Lowepro top loading bag - camera and lens in main part with small front section for battery/cards/tcon and larger pocket for bird food. Always take the minimum! Five-ten minute walk to location then it's camera strap round the neck time.

I have the Canon 70-300 IS and it is one of the canon lens bargains. Light, sharp and with the benefit of IS. Ok so its not built to L series standards, but then its not L series price. Check out this shot

I think you must have a bigger LowePro than mine (TLZ2) as that wouldn't quite fit a 225mm long lens as the 100-300 is; however if you do not already carry as I do, you could try it. Lowepro strap over right shoulder & bag on left hip; camera strap round back of neck and adjusted so that it can go into bag for protection, but weight just on its own strap.

Another route losing a bit of weight and length & where I am heading to is the Sigma 50-150 with matched 2x teleconverter bringing it back to 100-300 but with about 30mm less length and 400 grs less weight (check exact http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/acce...-converter.htm etc). Sigma UK are very obliging types and could well do you a very good px deal (quietly).

If you don't really need 300mm the 1.4x converter is lighter and shorter. Virtually all my stuff is taken with the 50-150 on a 350D. I dare say you are as hooked as I am on a lens where all the working bits are within the barrel and flapping in and out at the front.

I used to own the 100-300 f4 and think it is a very good lens, personally I'd think long and hard before getting rid of it. Fast focus, great image quality and takes the 1.4x tc really well, not many in the same price bracket can claim the same. I only parted with mine as I had the chance to swicth it and another lens that I never used for a 100-400 IS and a Sigma 70-200 f2.8. If anything I think the 70-200 f2.8 is lightly better (though less reach), if the 50-150 f2.8 is anywhere near the same quality (in such a light package) then it could be a very good option (though that is a lot less reach)...

Thanks for help and suggestions. Still undecided. Used the 100-300 this morning in fair to reasonable light but still needed highish ISO to achieve the sort of shutter speeds I felt I could happily hand hold at but I still think some shots suffered from camera shake to a degree. Best option, of course, would be to keep the 100-300 for good light or occasions where support is available and get a lighter lens for winter dog walks. As Chris says, using a lens which does everything internally and stays the same length throughout is very nice. Looks like the 70-300 IS can produce the goods though.....
Fortunately, I still like the camera!

Most of what you carry, most of the time, if around the waist, does give you a real comfort and extra mobility so think about something like this one if that fits your body and lens attached. Ref is just to give the idea (You don't want one with a tight inner compartment).

LINK - 1

When on hand, a hand strap is the best aid you may call for. Pros with giant size camera like 1D and larger fast lenses use these straps all the time. The problem with those strap is your 40D or for that matter any body without built in battery grip, lacks one of the point to secure the strap so you need one that uses the cameras under surface tripod screw. I got the Olympus version from ebay that are going at shamefully low price but the problem even after cutting that extra ridge that is for Oly's body alignment securing, it still has the problem of covering the battery compartment door so I have to remove it every time I need to change the battery(And gush that happens too often and mostly when you really don't want it). Here is one cheap and right one for your EOS that fits and doesn't have that problem:

LINK - 2

As for the lens you know my first advise is wait for when you are finantially ready to step into one of the 4 sister L lenses in 70-200mm range. The non IS f/4 version is about $500 and with the expect to arrive soon canon's fall rebate you may put hand on one. You and your 40D deserve a better glass for sure. Of course you can argue the lack of extra reach, but sharpness and color render is unequivocal by any other canon lens or for that matter any other lens in the world. I would go with Sigma 100-300 for now that is a quit a reasonable lens.
Sigma 70-300 APO DG macro is possibly the best budget lenses in the range you are talking about (No IS).

Thanks Sassan. I did have a 70-200mm f4L when I had my 30D and agree it's a nice lens, but not quite long enough, and I had a 70-300 Sigma for my Nikons. Fortunately I bought the 100-300 at a very good price so if I decided to swap for the Canon 70-300 it should'nt involve any outlay.

Pity the 200mm is not quite long enough Sue, as with this one http://www.dpreview.com/news/0710/canon/canon2002.jpg you could probably shoot birds in any light. Could be you would also have to take a body building course :)

A similar size and weight 300 F/2.8 is just an excellent choice if one can afford it.

Well, job done - 70-300 bought and Sigma 100-300 sold. Very pleased so far. Lightweight, focussing not quite as fast but OK. Keeping IS in mode 2 to allow for panning seems to work well. Small crops of snatch shots - more successful than attempts with 100-300mm. When I get the cashback i'll be able to get one of those camera straps as recommended by Harry.

Looks to be working well!

Congratulations.
Now you have one less excuse for Shakiness :)

Just the usual one of old age now!

In that case welcome to the club Sue :)