Lens help please to cover 100mm-300mm maybe upto 400m

[JSW]

I am after a lens to fill the gap as above.

My current kit:

A700
HVL-F42AM
KM 17-35 2.8-4 D
Minolta 28-105 3.5-4.5
Minolta 50 1.7 RS
Teleplus 1.4x converter
Giottos tripod and ball head

I have managed to get all my current optics from evilbay in boxed as new condition so quite happy with that but for the life of me I can't get a 100-300/400 I am either outbid in the last second or they have gone for silly money which I am not prepared to pay and I mean way over the going rate.

I was specifically after a Minolta AF 100-400 F4.5-6.7 APO or Minolta AF 100-300 F4.5-5.6 D APO

But considering what the above two are going for and they are hard to come by am now considering one of these 3

Sony AF 70-300 F4.5-5.6 G SSM
Sony AF 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM
Sigma 100-300 F4 EX DG IF

Any other I should be looking at?
Main use would be Wildlife/Birds including Safari parks/Zoo's etc

Thanks for your help

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

In short, I've had both the SAL 70-300 SSM G and the Sigma 100-300 EX F4 (IF) + 1.4x TC. I would leave the Minolta 100-300 and 100-400 alone. I think you'll need a wider aperture than 5.6 @ 300/400mm if required if you take into account my findings with the SSM G.

SAL 70-300 SSM G

You can't use a TC with it. The bokeh is creamy smooth, the zoom/AF is silent and images sharp up to around 200mm. It' really struggles in less than brilliant light conditions and at 300mm is far too soft.

Sigma 100-300 F4 EX (IF)

I've sold the 70-300 SSM G and re-bought another copy of the Sigma 100-300 with 1.4x TC.

It can be used with a matching TC thus extending the range. Constant F4. Heavier than SSM G but bokeh not as buttery smooth, but much faster and great in lower light/overcast conditions. Solid build.

Other lenses worth looking out for are the Minolta 300mm F4 APO G HS (about £880.00) and a 1.4x TC. I think there's a copy both on eBay and Dyxum. Also look at the Minolta 200mm f/2.8 APO G HS. Type in Minolta APO on EvilBay, but if you do order from the Cannuk in Japan, take into account import duty/VAT. HS means High Speed and is about 33% faster than the non-HS version.

Personally, I would spend the extra and get the widest aperture you can afford. I found the 70-300 SSM G to restrictive and didn't cut the mustard at 300mm for aviation/sports. As for the new silver SAL 70-400 SSM G offering . . . not used it so can't comment, though if only 100mm longer I think will also struggle to get clean shots of birds in less than perfect light at 300-400mm.

[Strobe]

If it's in your budget then I would definitely go for the 70-400G, an exceptional lens by all accounts and very highly regarded at www.slrgear.com.
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showp...ct/1223/cat/83

[JSW]

Thanks Strobe, I had already read that review and my only concern is the 300-400 performance.

Pirate, how much did you pay for the Sigma and new or used?

I have seen the Sony 70-400G for 1,029 and the cheapest I have found the Sigma 100-300 f4 is £1100 odd

Thanks

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

I bought my Sigma 100-300mm EX DG + 1.4x TC for £560.00 (US $800.00).

The relation to the Minolta 300/4 APO G HS in terms of price (IMO) would mean now I would opt for the Minolta 300/4 APO G HS unless you need the zoom function of the Sigma. Even with duty/VAT, it'll still likely be cheaper than a new Sigma 100-300 (unless like me you shop on Dyxum) There are some cracking lenses on offer there and I bid my seller in the nether regions . . . and got a result.

My thought is that unless you're shooting Frigate Birds, Albatross or Pterodactyl's, small feathered friends are hard enough to capture at distance. I think you'd be less than happy with a 'regular' lens of 'average' IQ. Just my take.

[JSW]

You got a nice bargain there

Will take a look whats available on Dyxum, do they have a trader rating system ?

Thanks again

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by JSW

Do they have a trader rating system

No.

[JSW]

So whats the safest way to pay?

Cheers

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by JSW

So whats the safest way to pay?

Cheers

PayPal or direct bank transfer. It'll depend on the vendor (same as anywhere really). I did mine via PayPal (sourced from Credit Card).

[YorkieBen]

I wouldn't necessarily agree that at 300mm the Sony G is soft. It is not as sharp as at 70-200mm range but tbh not 70-300mm zoom is. My copy is pretty darn sharp at 300mm even wide open, plus is has little or no CA etc

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by YorkieBen

I wouldn't necessarily agree that at 300mm the Sony G is soft. It is not as sharp as at 70-200mm range but tbh not 70-300mm zoom is. My copy is pretty darn sharp at 300mm even wide open, plus is has little or no CA etc

Agree with the CA control (forgot that detail), but my copy wasn't up to scratch at the long end. It's sold and in Finland now, so have moved on.