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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DaveTaylor" data-source="post: 1208608" data-attributes="member: 4698">OK, I'm in the market for a replacement lens, my Sigma 50-500mm (bigma) being stolen. I can't afford the canon IS 500mm or 600mm lenses, so my question is, what would be third choice. The zoom was handy on the sigma, but I'm after quality, and reach. So I'm considering the Sigma 500mm F4.5 lens or even the 800mm f5.6 lens, both of which are prime lenses and I am told will work on my 40D. My thinking is this - most of my bird pictures that never came out were either a little soft or blurred. The softness I think was down to the quality of the lens, being a zoom quality is usually a compromise and I'm guessing the quality would be better from a prime lens. Also shutter speed - the 50-500mm, being an F6.3, I was often shooting at 1/100th second, hence any slight movement in either me holding the equipment or the bird itself would result in a blurred picture. So I'm also thinking that a faster lens would allow for a higher shutter speed and hopefully more keepers than deleters. This is my reasoning as to how I think my choice will be a sigma 500mm, but I am interested to hear what others have found. Also is the sigma 800mm f5.6 an option, or is it just too big, heavy and not much faster than the Bigma? I think I've ruled out a 100-400 IS lens as I never hear people say "that birds too close" so a 500mm or bigger would seem logical.So I would really like to hear what others think. I know there have been lots of discussions on these issues on Birdforum, and I have read many of them which has helped me arrive at this point so far. But before spending lots of money I'd really value all the advice I can get. I do have the chance when I'm ready to try both the 500mm and 800mm lenses out.</blockquote>

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