Sharpness i.r.t. lens choice

[sniffie]

Hi all,

I have a 30D and am very satisfied with it. After owning a sigma 70-300 APO DG lens I upgraded to an older sigma 400 5.6 APO. I cant get tacky sharp images altough always used icm with tripod.

I can get a good deal on a 300L F4 IS (thinking al lot about 400 L 5.6 too).
I chose the 300 because I can also use it for macro and close range shots.

Do you guys think this would be a good upgrade?
Thanks!!!

[Keith Reeder]

The 300 F4 is a great lens, but on the short side for birds.

The minimum focussing distance is better than the 400mm L prime - 1.5m as opposed to 3.5m - which would presumably make it better for macros: but then the extra 100mm of reach the 400 has means you won't need to get as close in the first place!

;)

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 100-400mm zoom. It's as sharp as you could wish for, is very versatile because of the zoom; and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.8m, only slightly longer than that of the 300mm.