DSLR Photography Forum

Hello!
I'm new here and to the Photography world. I'm thinking of purchasing a more powerful zoom lens for my Canon 30D camera, I have been using a Canon EF 70-300mm lens and would like something much stronger. I have read reviews and I'm confused now! The Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 lens is good, but heavy and slow on the Auto-Focus - on the reviews. The Tamron SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 is lighter and some say good quality, but nothing about it's auto-focus speed. I'm NOT a professional, nor into Photography that much to spend over $1,000, so I would like anyones help on this, please?

Samples of my backyard Photography!
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/picview.jsp?album=87142
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/picview.jsp?album=87148
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/picview.jsp?album=87273
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/picview.jsp?album=87272

I have thought of using a 1.4x Converter also?

Welcome to shuttertalk...

If I were in this situation I would get a good double converter for the actual lens or I would sell my 70-300 and buy the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS . The IS works beautifully, fast auto focus and beautiful light, and still with the time you can get a good converter for this lens. I have tried mine with a doble converter and works really well.

Sorry not to give more information about the sigma or tamron, but I haven't tried them myself. What I know from a friend of mine is that the sigma is a bit heavy and bulky.

What kind of photography would you use your new lens for?

I have to agree with Irma ( i do that a lot ) . It depends on what you are planning on shooting , and i have heard good things about the sigma but i dont think there is any comparison when it comes to Canon lenses . I have used the Sigma 120-300 2.8 for sports and it was way to " soft " for me . I have also heard that about " all " sigma lenses . So i try to stick with Canon when i can.
Just so its clear i rent my lenses when i need them and i ask the man i get them from what he would go with and he always says " Canon " .
I hope this helps you and welcome to Shuttertalk ...... Shawn

From your pictures it is obvious that you like shooting birds I think

Budget is always a problem - but perhaps the Canon 400 5.6 might be the best bet for your bird shots. You could keep the 70-300 for your close up stuff and use the 400 for the longer stuff.

Apart from that the 100-400 might be ok - but it is a chunk more cash and slower to AF than the 400 5.6. You will need light with either of those lenses though.

Shawn - sorry to hear about your experiance with the 120-300 I have always heard good things about that lens. I had a Sigma 70-200 2.8 and it was sweet - but I needed the IS of the Canon version.