300mm lens suggestions ...

[dxqcanada]

I used to have a Canon FD 300mm F/4.0 L lens (on my Canon nF-1).
It was an awesome lens.

I have switched over to a Sony digital DSLR.

I am now searching for a lens that can provide me with the same quality.

Minolta made a 300mm f4.0 APO G.
Sigma made a 300mm f4.0 APO.

I have only been able to find the Sigma.

Does anyone else make one for Minolta/Sony AF mount ?

How good are the zoom lenses in f4.0 ?
Would you suggest anything with that type of quality that won't break the bank?

 

[skieur]

I have the 70mm to 300mm Sony G lens (NOT the kit lens). It is only 4.5 to 5.6, but on the other hand it is very handholdable and the quality is definitely there with a fast and super quiet autofocus and photo colour that I did not expect to get, off in the distant haze.

skieur

 

[dxqcanada]

Thanks for the info ... I am looking for something faster for lower light.

 

[skieur]

Thanks for the info ... I am looking for something faster for lower light.

I hope you realize that there is a trade-off. Faster means longer and heavier, which means a monopod or tripod is usually necessary. I considered a 2.8 and decided that I did not want to be restricted to a tripod.

I also found that I was able to shoot inside without a flash if there were windows and it was during the day.

skieur

 

[dxqcanada]

Yup.

I am not even looking at the f/2.8's ... I would have to sell my car ... actually I don't think my car is worth that much.

My FD 400 f/4.0 was not small, and was very hand holdable.

I had sacrificed that for a Sony 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 (not G) ... and I am not happy with the speed or the quality.

 

[dxqcanada]

Does anyone have experience with the Sigma 100-300mm f4.0 EX DGM HSM ?

 

[skieur]

Does anyone have experience with the Sigma 100-300mm f4.0 EX DGM HSM ?

Not with that particular lens but Sigma's on Sony cameras tend to have a very fast but noisy autofocus. Not necessarily a bad thing but it takes some getting use to, if your other lenses are super quiet.

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, I have notice that on the Sigma macro that I have.

 

[dxqcanada]

OK, I have purchased a Sigma 300mm F4.0 lens.
It is not that bad to handhold.

It is very sharp, even wide open.
Focusing is fast for a lens of this size.