Questions on a lens for a canon - DPChallenge Forums

12/07/2021 08:30:38 AM · #1

Moving this out to a new thread -- hoping to get some more canon users' opinions.

I need to get an inexpensive lens for wildlife photography.

Do you have any recommendations on

Canon 75-300

vs

sigma 70-300

?

I'm having a hard time deciding, because neither have great reviews, but I only have about $75-$150 to play with. So it looks like those are my two options.

12/07/2021 09:45:33 AM · #2

I think the 70-300 is considered the better lens. I bought a 75-300 early on and was usually disappointed in the long end perfrormance. I think I got only one, maybe two really good shots at the full reach. Interestingly, it was a squirrel.

I have a Sigma 70-300 sitting here that I think has a problem, but I don't recall what the issue is. My daughter has a Rebel and when she gets up later, I will borrow her camera and test it.

If you can get it repaired at a reasonable cost, it's yours. If it turns out to actually work, you can make me an offer of whatever you can afford and feel to be fair.

May also have a Canon 18-135 available. I gave my 50D to my granddaughter a couple of years ago and she said her boyfriend was careless with the camera and damages it. She might still have that lens she can send back.

Added: I just contacted her and she says the lens has a problem. I asked her to send the camera and lens back to me to look at.

Message edited by author 2021-12-07 09:52:42.

12/07/2021 09:51:41 AM · #3

A question though... Is this for the camera for your son? I thought you had decided on the used 6D, which should be full frame, while these are APS-C lenses.

12/07/2021 10:03:48 AM · #4

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

A question though... Is this for the camera for your son? I thought you had decided on the used 6D, which should be full frame, while these are APS-C lenses.

The sigma 70-300 is apc?? I thought it could be used on both... I'll have to go look.

12/07/2021 10:05:09 AM · #5

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
A question though... Is this for the camera for your son? I thought you had decided on the used 6D, which should be full frame, while these are APS-C lenses.

The sigma 70-300 is apc?? I thought it could be used on both... I'll have to go look.

Yup -- looks like the sigma can go on both. I'd be very interested to see if yours works or not

12/07/2021 10:05:33 AM · #6

The Sigma may be for a FF, but the Canons you discussed are EF-S crop sensor lenses.

12/07/2021 10:06:58 AM · #7

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

The Sigma may be for a FF, but the Canons you discussed are EF-S crop sensor lenses.

I'm confused... when I search, it says that the canon 75-300 can be used on either..?

12/07/2021 10:07:56 AM · #8

Haven't tried it on her camera yet, but when I tried to take off the lens hood, the focusing ring makes a gear ratcheting noise. So the problem is with the focusing mechanism.

Added: That may not be the problem. I switched it to manual focus and it turns smoothly. So the focus mode is a mechanical interlock.

Message edited by author 2021-12-07 10:09:08.

12/07/2021 10:11:31 AM · #9

Originally posted by vawendy:

I'm confused... when I search, it says that the canon 75-300 can be used on either..?

I could be wrong. But that's never happened before. ;-}

12/07/2021 11:36:05 AM · #10

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Let me know what happens on the camera! :)

12/07/2021 03:20:05 PM · #11

Had to charge the battery first. It focuses, but in auto focus, there is a gear ratcheting noise. Something is skipping, but it still focuses fine. Manual focus works great.

I just shot this with it at full reach:

I looked on Ebay and buy it now prices on this lens are only between $70-100. If you'd like it, just cover the shipping for me.

Message edited by author 2021-12-07 15:21:58.

12/07/2021 03:24:37 PM · #12

Could just be a noisy focus motor...