100-300 f4 vs 70-200 2.8 + 2xTC **Spend my Grand**

[ppp]

Hi,

Am looking to swap from my 70-300 VR to something else better for the new motorsport season that is fast approaching, so far the options seem to be

Sigma 100-300 f4

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM II

Nikon AFD 80-200 f2.8

I would look to add a 2xTC to the f2.8 lenses as well to have the option of 400mm f5.6

Lets say the budget is £1000

This is really only going to be used for motorsport/aircraft mainly at Brands, Thruxton and Silverstone with an outside chance of visits to some other main circuits.

Thanks :)

[foggy4ever]

:lol::lol: me again, I've just got the sigma 70-200 from a TP member and started a thread today regarding this and a 2x might be worth a read:thumbs:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=118211

[ppp]

hi again, thanks again lol will have a read

[nictry]

Having just got my 80-200 f2.8 I can highly recommend it, I also put it on a Kenko 1.4x and was very sharp (no noticable drop in PQ) at all, not sure about using it with a 2x though, and you won't be able to use a Nikon convertor with it either

[ppp]

Is it better to go 70-200 + 2xTC or the 100-300 + 1.4xTC??

[whitey]

i would personally do what the last post says ^^^

good choice, my 70-200 works really well with the 2x TC, hoping to get another 100-300 soon and then another 1.4x to use, had great results with it last year

[ppp]

so ignoring TC's which is better the 70-200 or the 100-300?

[whitey]

there both as good as each other i would say

picking one though i would go for the 100-300

[tonyfish]

If you are going to be using it for motorsport and only want to carry one lens then buy the 100-300 and a 1.4 converter. The 70-200 will not be long enough and adding a 2x converter is to much of comprise, for me at least!

[foggy4ever]

Have seen an ex-demo Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 APO EX IF HSM DG Lens for about £1400 alittle over budget but :love: choices choices:lol:

[ppp]

cor if only, I could possibly have the money for that but don't want to get ahead of myself

[ppp]

Where was it btw?

[puddleduck]

If you are going to be using it for motorsport and only want to carry one lens then buy the 100-300 and a 1.4 converter. The 70-200 will not be long enough and adding a 2x converter is to much of comprise, for me at least!

I'd agree with that - if someone is looking to buy a 200mm lens with a 2x TC, this just means they need a longer lens.

I have the Sigma 100-300 and its very good with a 1.4x TC. I don't have a Sigma 70-200 to compare it with (or a 2x TC) but I used to, and I think at the 400mm end the 100-300 is going to be sharper. Not really a surprise.

[foggy4ever]

Where was it btw?

It was at simplyelectronics but they must have only had 1 and I think its gone now. I nearly choaked when the wife found it and asked if I wanted it.:gag:

[Chillimonster]

I enjoyed using the 70-200 siggy on Saturday noght shooting a swimming Gala...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3337361811_c923e76b89_o.jpg

Had no problems keeping up with the action, but i was actually too close to the action and could have done with the 28-75mm on there as i was literally 5-10' away from the swimmers at some points :)

[ppp]

I'd agree with that - if someone is looking to buy a 200mm lens with a 2x TC, this just means they need a longer lens.

I have the Sigma 100-300 and its very good with a 1.4x TC. I don't have a Sigma 70-200 to compare it with (or a 2x TC) but I used to, and I think at the 400mm end the 100-300 is going to be sharper. Not really a surprise.

Cool think I will go the 100-300 route then, thanks

[tonyfish]

By all accounts this is an excellent lens so I think you'll be very happy with your choice!

[whitey]

Should have my Sigma 100-300 in the coming day or so. i will have a wander out at the W/E with them both and compare, should hopefully have a 1.4x soon aswell so can compare them both side by side

[desantnik]

I think you'd have found the 70-200 too short a lot of the time and assuming you wanted to stick with a zoom then for your budget you've probably made the right choice.

Personally, I'd have gone with a Nikon 300 f4 prime, the Nikon 70-300 you have is perfectly good to just over 200mm (and tails off after that) and mixed with a 300 prime you'd have got some cracking stuff.

[reddeathdrinker]

I'd have to argue against the 300mm prime - don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic lens, I just prefer to have the 100-300mm worth of zoom to play with, especially for motorsport...

[rrfierce]

Another vote for the brilliant 100-300mm f4 here. Superb performer much more versatile than the 70-200mm. the 100-300mm works ok with th 1.4x, but AF does suffer at 420mm. Wouldn't fancy using a 2x for motosport.

[andrewc]

I use the 100-300 f4 with an occassional x1.4TC.

[ppp]

Groovy guys the 100-300 it is, thanks