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04/27/2007 01:02:48 PM · #1 |
Note: The title should have read "New Lens". Can you change the title after you post it?
I just happened to stumble onto a used Canon 75-300 IS lens at a local camera shop. It is not the lens I want in the end but this is a great opportunity to not only try out a new lens but also play with IS. Anyhow to make a long story short, I sold my Sigma 70-300mm APO lens yesterday but I have not yet shipped it. This gave me the opportunity to perform a simple test of each lens at 300mm. These shots were taken using a tripod and are of a power line pole from about 100 yards away. Each photo below is a 100% crop, with no editing but the text.
Sigma 300mm f/5.6
Canon 300mm f/5.6 non-IS
Sigma 300mm f/8
Canon 300mm f/8 non-IS
Here are my conclusions.
1) Stopping down to f/8 shows a great improvement in sharpness on both lenses. Actually it was much more that I expected. Going to f/11 doesn't add anything really. By f/16 both lens start to loose sharpness again.
2) I noticed almost no difference between the Canon IS-on and IS-off shots. If anything the IS-off shots were a tiny bit sharper.
3) The Canon is definitely sharper than the Sigma. The Canon shows better color and contrast also.
Verdict: The Canon kicks the Sigma's butt.
Now I need to borrow a friends 300mm f/2.8L IS and compare these to that benchmark.
Message edited by author 2007-05-04 21:36:12. |
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04/27/2007 01:41:41 PM · #2 |
I don't have an IS lens, so take this for what it is worth...
I have heard that while using a tripod, if IS is on, it may actually soften your pictures. IS is only supposed to be used while holding the camera and should be disabled when using a tripod. |
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04/27/2007 01:44:51 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by BakerBug:
I don't have an IS lens, so take this for what it is worth...
I have heard that while using a tripod, if IS is on, it may actually soften your pictures. IS is only supposed to be used while holding the camera and should be disabled when using a tripod. |
That is why I took both IS-on and IS-off photos using the tripod. I wanted to find out is IS was hurting me when I didn't need it. And the answer I have come up with is no, it is not really hurting me. |
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04/27/2007 01:45:57 PM · #4 |
| I'm really beginning to think Sigma lenses are crap wide open. nice test, thanks. |
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04/27/2007 01:49:59 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
I'm really beginning to think Sigma lenses are crap wide open. nice test, thanks. |
 Yep just utter crap that sigma stuff.
MattO |
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04/27/2007 01:53:37 PM · #6 |
Yes utter crap :)
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04/27/2007 01:54:15 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
I'm really beginning to think Sigma lenses are crap wide open. nice test, thanks. |
Yep just utter crap that sigma stuff.
MattO |
ok, their high end stuff is good but their "consumer" line seems soft wide open and soft in my experiences and based on the OP's test.
Edit: Maybe I just have a bad lens.
Message edited by author 2007-04-27 13:55:10. |
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04/27/2007 02:09:49 PM · #8 |
It does get soft at 300mm. I`m not sure what my swan pic was taken at.
I did a quick test when i had the sigma 70-300mm against a friends canon 100-400Lis. I vowed never to pixel peep again, the canon was incredible.
But for the price it is a bargain and the macro feature is handy.
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04/27/2007 02:43:19 PM · #9 |
Time for a new shot with that lens Matt. hehe
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
I'm really beginning to think Sigma lenses are crap wide open. nice test, thanks. |
Yep just utter crap that sigma stuff.
MattO |
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04/27/2007 02:48:07 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by TJinGuy:
Now I need to borrow a friends 300mm f/2.8L IS and compare these to that benchmark. |
Don't look if you don't want to see the difference.... :)
Head-to-head 70-300mm @300mm f/5.6 vs. 300mm 2.8 @ f/5.6
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04/27/2007 02:57:51 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Jacko:
Time for a new shot with that lens Matt. hehe
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by Megatherian:
I'm really beginning to think Sigma lenses are crap wide open. nice test, thanks. |
Yep just utter crap that sigma stuff.
MattO |
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Why I take one decent photo all year and I cant pimp it forever? Heck it worked for Leroy with a cheesy one!
MattO
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04/27/2007 03:03:59 PM · #12 |
Haha. So that cheese pick was decent? I'll let Leroy know.
Back to the 75-300mmIS lens. I loved it when I had it. The only reason I sold is that I decided to get a 70-200mm F4. You got a good price too. Enjoy.
Originally posted by MattO:
Why I take one decent photo all year and I cant pimp it forever? Heck it worked for Leroy with a cheesy one!
MattO |
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