Canon 300 F4 vs Sigma 300 F2.8

[DaveB]

I am looking to buy one of these two lenses with a 1.4 converter.

I will be hand holding whichever set I decide to purchase, so any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[postcardcv]

The big advantage of the Canon is that it has IS which will no doubt make quite a difference as you're planning to hand hold. However the Sigma being an f2.8 lens would retain auto focus even with a 2x tc, which would make it more versatile.

Personally I'd go for the Sigma, but then I can't imagine being out without some kind of support, be it tripod, monopod or beanbag.

[Bill Atwood]

Any 300/4 is going to be much easier to hold than a 300/2.8

[compa]

I am looking to buy one of these two lenses with a 1.4 converter.

I will be hand holding whichever set I decide to purchase, so any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Both will maintain autofocus with the 1.4x teleconverter
The Canon 300 f/4 will be at f/5.6
The Sigma 300 f/2.8 will be at f/4
Point to the Sigma

The Canon 300 f/4 is the lighter of the two lenses
Point to the Canon

The Canon 300 is the only one with image stabilization - and it does help a lot
Point to the Canon

The Canon 300 is less expensive
Point to the Canon

Score?
3 to 1 - Canon over Sigma

[geedub]

Recently acquired the Sigma 300 f2.8, superb optics and extremely good with both Sigma's 1.4 and 2x converters (giving a very tasty 600 f5.6 with full autofocus) but practically impossible to hand hold - even at 300mm focal length that huge front element takes its toll! Got to use a beanbag or tripod but the results are pretty impressive.