More Camera gear questions

[TimAPNY]

I'm toying with he idea of moving to Canon SLR-D gear, instead of trying to stick with Minolta. In the end I would be spending close to the same amount of money even if I have to buy a new Telephoto lens. Minolta 7D seems too expensive for what it offers.

Should I buy Canon lenses only? How are Sigma & Tamron lenses? I hate wasting money and I only want to buy the same lens once.

What are your experiences?

I have a Minolta 100-300mm lens, which was ok, I was thinking of upgrading to a 100-400mm lens. But I’m not sure if that is total overkill, seeing as 1.6x300 = 480mm.

[Cvairwerks]

I shoot with a Nikon F3 and all my lenses are Nikons with the exception of a single Tamron. The Tamron is okay for what I paid for it but I don't regularly use it. For just general, non-critical stuff it's fine and for the black and white stuff it's okay too.

For the critical stuff and when I'm pushing the limits on film, I'll take the known quality of the big names over the low cost ones.

[Robbo]

I'd say stick with Canon. The 100-400 L IS is a very nice lens, I've had one for a year (original developed an IS fault after 4 months, so swapped for a new one).

Sigma lenses are cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

Rob

[TimAPNY]

Thanks for the help. It looks like I may go with the New Canon Rebel XT. Then someday upgrade.

I may have the cash for it this airshow season, but we'll see after I get some Dental stuff done.