Okay so I finally upgraded to the 90D after using my old T3i for like forever and I am so hyped to take it out for my trip to Yellowstone next month!! I have been looking at lenses for weeks now and my head is kind of spinning with all the options for the EF mount. I really want to get some good shots of the wildlife there like bison and hopefully some bears from a safe distance lol.
I have been doing a ton of research and I keep seeing the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM pop up as a top recommendation because the autofocus is supposedly crazy fast and it is pretty light for hiking. But then I saw the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary and my logic was that with the 1.6x crop factor on the 90D I would basically have a telescope in my hands which sounds amazing for birding in my backyard too. That reach is just so tempting for wildlife stuff.
The thing that has me stuck though is the 32.5 megapixel sensor on this body. I read some forum posts saying that the 90D is really picky with glass because the pixel density is so high and it can show flaws in cheaper lenses way easier than my old camera did. So now I am worried that the 70-300 might look soft if I try to crop in at all? But on the flip side is the Sigma going to be way too heavy to lug around the trails? I have about $1000 saved up for this maybe a little more if I can find a deal but I want to make sure I am getting something that actually holds up to the resolution of the sensor.
I also looked at the Canon 100-400mm L series but the version II is way out of my price range even used and the version I is pretty old now so I dont know if the stabilizer is still good enough for handheld stuff. Is the extra reach of the Sigma worth the weight or should I stick with something native like the 70-300? I just want to make the most of this trip and not regret my choice when I am standing in front of a grizzly...
What are you guys using on your 90D for wildlife? Is the 150-600 overkill for a hobbyist or should I just go for the extra reach while I can afford it?
Regarding what #2 said about "> Is the extra reach of the Sigma..." - my experience hauling gear through national parks taught me that 300mm is rarely enough for Yellowstone wildlife. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary offers the best reach, but weight is a factor. The Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is a lighter, sharper alternative for the 90D sensor. TL;DR: Prioritize reach. The 600mm is better for distant wildlife shots.
Congrats on the 90D! I made a similar jump from an older Rebel and that sensor is honestly a total beast for wildlife. You are totally right about the pixel density being super demanding tho, it definitely makes you notice when your focus or shutter speed is off! Heres how those options compare:
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM: Its incredibly light and the Nano USM focus is basically instant. Fantastic for casual hiking, but 300mm is gonna feel really short for bears or wolves across a valley.
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary: This is my absolute favorite for the 90D. That reach is insane and it handles the high res sensor surprisingly well if you have decent light. Honestly, go with the Sigma. Its a bit heavy, but having that massive reach for Yellowstone is just amazing... you will definitely want every bit of that zoom when you spot something cool!
> Is the extra reach of the Sigma worth the weight or should I stick with something native like the 70-300? I went through this exact same dilemma when I did a big park trip last summer. Honestly, just go with Sigma. You really can't go wrong with their glass quality on that sensor. I was worried about the weight too, lugging a massive lens around for miles, but once I saw a wolf pack through the viewfinder from way across a valley... yeah, the sore shoulders didnt matter anymore lol. The 90D sensor is definitely a bit of a diva with sharpness, but my experience with the third-party telephotos has been nothing but positive. Ive been super satisfied with how they handle the high megapixel count. Basically, if you want to actually see those bears without squinting, you need that extra reach. Just grab one of the Sigma long zooms and call it a day. Youll be way happier having too much zoom than not enough when youre out in the field...
