Help me make up my mind

[Skyelines]

I have one of life's notable events occurring soon and decided to treat myself to some new kit. Trouble is I can't make up my mind what to add.

Current kit 6D and 350D(poor quality kit lens), 16-36 f4L and 24-105 F4L, that covers most of what I need for landscape but I would like to have a go at wildlife too so a longer lens is the thought.

A 100-400 F4L USM IS 11 seems a good choice, however the 350D is old and upgrading to a better crop body would be nice too.
For similar money a number of other combinations come to mind. Which one should I go for?

Choices and (my thoughts)

1 100-400 F4L USM IS 11 (most expensive, 400mm longest effective range, light weight)

2 760D + Sigma 150-600 sport (new body, 600mm on 6D or 960mm equivalent on crop, heavy)

3 760D + 70-200 F2.8 USM ( New body, good lens for landscape on 6D, same filter size as other lenses and Lee filter kit, 2x converter can be added later giving 640mm equivalent on crop body, seems most flexible option)

I have a leaning towards 3 but which one would you go for or an alternative?

Thanks for reading through this and look forward to your thoughts.

[Richard W]

Re: Help me make up my mind

If you really want to go for wildlife, I'd go for 2.

[the black fox]

Re: Help me make up my mind

Same here option 2 the sigma lens can also be used on full frame with no problems , the 760 is about to be replaced ? Though . Another alternative is the 80D which is a better camera overall and has recently dropped a fair bit price wise if you shop around .

[malgpz900]

Re: Help me make up my mind

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-80D-vs-Canon-EOS-760D

Malcolm.

[the black fox]

Re: Help me make up my mind

just did a price guide for you .though these could probably be sourced cheaper ,a 150-600 sigma sport from wex is £1299 and a canon 80d body is £739 from h.dew with a 3 year warranty .both trusted sellers by factoring in the 760D instead you save £200 but get a less useable body .
the other way round it is to go for either a 80D or 7d2 body from h.dew and search online to find the best deal on a sigma 150-600 contemporary which is the same spec as the sport but lighter and cheaper by £600 or so .

the figures for that are from the same suppliers sigma C £699 ,7D2 £969 = £1668

or sigma C £699 and 80D £739 = £1438

either of those prices are below what you would pay for the canon 100-400 lenses and give more reach and both those bodies will take a 1.4 tc giving a native focal length of 850mm with either of the sigma lenses ,thats without figuring in your 1.6 crop factor .

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Help me make up my mind

Check out MPB for used gear perhaps.

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-7d-ii/sku-641849/

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/sigma-150-500mm-f-5-6-3-apo-dg-os-hsm-canon-ef-fit/sku-645908/

I've used them to buy some used Fuji gear - an x-trans camera and three lenses - and their assessment of gear is spot on, in fact I think they under report the quality of the gear, certainly I have no complaints.

[@imagesBV]

Re: Help me make up my mind

I would consider the 100-400 mk1...around £700 s/h ...mine was from mph and is excellent

[Skyelines]

Re: Help me make up my mind

Thanks for your thoughts, very useful.

Just noticed Wex have the Sigma C + 1.4 x at £849.

Comparing the 80D and 7D11 there doesn't seem to be a huge difference between them in performance.

So an 80D and Sigma C + 1.4 looks quite an attractive proposition at a reasonable price.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Help me make up my mind

I suggest you compare the two bodies in a shop if you can. The 7D2 is a more substantial piece of kit and that difference in scale may influence your decision...

[Skyelines]

Re: Help me make up my mind

I suggest you compare the two bodies in a shop if you can. The 7D2 is a more substantial piece of kit and that difference in scale may influence your decision...

Thanks for flagging that, nearest retailer is 120 miles away.

Having had a look at the sizes and weights compared to my 6D I think the 80D would be my preference as the 7D11 is bigger and heavier than the 6D.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Help me make up my mind

120 miles is a fair trek

For me its the ergonomics as much as the weight. The better placement of controls, more user modes etc. make it a better option than the 80D but it's a very personal call.

[David Stallard]

Re: Help me make up my mind

If your spending that sort of money then trust me - 120 miles is worth it. WEX is a 200 mile round trip for me but when buying bodies or lenses I will always drive to them.

As for what to choose - get the best for your budget, spend more on the glass as it will out last any of the bodies and there really is NO SUBSTITUTE for good glass.

Just my opinion of course.

.DAVID.

[Richard W]

Re: Help me make up my mind

better placement of controls

Depends on what you are used to.
Whatever, I tried a 1.4 x converter with the Sigma once, never again. The field of view is so small, might be OK with a tripod, but not hand held for me.

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Help me make up my mind

Depends on what you are used to.

Which would be why I said "For me"...

[@imagesBV]

Re: Help me make up my mind

The 80D scores better on dynamic range, colour depth and high iso noise (so the image quality aspects) but 7D2 scores better for focus and frames/second (and layout of controls).....I'm very tempted to change my 60D for an 80D.....I wouldn't have a need for the extras the 7D2 brings but thats just my type of photography - and it would be a backup to my 5D3.....tempted!