28-300mm L v 120-300mm 2.8 Sigma

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Precision

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Right guys, I have just acquired a Canon 28-300mm L Lens, you know the one, the push / pull similar to the 100-400L. Anyway, I bought this at a price I couldnt refuse, but I`m not sure if its going to be up to the job that I do.

I shoot motorsport. Mainly bikes but cars also. Not for a hobby, but for my living.

I`m wondering if anyone has any experience shooting motorsport or anything fast moving really with this lens? And whats it like?

I am really considering selling it and getting a Sigma 120-300 2.8 or a Sigma 300mm 2,8.

What are your thoughts on the L against the two Sigmas mentioned?
 
Not had either but the sigma is a faster lens at 2.8 so should be better in lower light.

I however would stick with Canon, I think they fit the bodies better, focus quicker and produce sharper images.

How about the 70-200 2.8 IS will cover most things and fit a 1.4 extender when more reach is required?
 
I have at the moment a 70-200 2.8 L and the 1.4 converter. Not keen on using converters at all if I`m honest. This is what I have been using for a while, but I just dont like it.
 
300mm f/4 L IS? or 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II?

I don't think there is much point in keeping the pump. It is meant to be the most versatile L at the cost of aperture and sharpness, ie. this may suit a lazy photojournalist or a rich amateur. Sigma should be better, but not as good as the corresponding canon lenses.
 
I tend to agree with the Sigma over the 28-300L aswell. The pump puts me off also as Im out in all weathers and will be using it in dusty conditions.

Is the Sigma 120-300 2.8 and the 300 2.8 prime weather proof by the way does anyone know?
 
Not completely sure but don't think the sigma's are weather sealed too the extent that (some) L lenses are on 1D series bodies.

As for the 28-300mm, apparantly this lens isn't as good as the previous model, the 28-350mm... Its soft wide open, so you'll need to step the lens down a few f-stops. So light conditions will effect its performance due to it being f5.6 at 300mm. As for the push / pull system, so people like it other don't, but it does have it advantages.

For motorsport the sigma 120-300mm f2.8 is a very good lens, better than the sigma 300mm f2.8 prime. For the money the 120-300mm f2.8 is a great lens, but there are flaws, especially with back focusing and build quality and isn't in the class of the canon 300mm f2.8, but then its 1/2 the price.

I think you need at least to give the 28-300mm a chance before dismissing it, another solution, is to hire out 1 or 2 of the other lenses before making your decision. Check out www.lensesforhire.co.uk and have a word with those guy's.
 
I have a 7-200 L 2.8 and a 400mm 2.8 IS L at the moment and as the 300L 2.8 would be nice, its the versatility I`m looking for between 70 and 300mm, with decent quality and speed. I do wish Canon would make something like a 200-400 F4 like Nikon do.

I think I will go for the Sigma 120-300 as that just ticks the boxes Im looking at : speed, focal range and of course price.

Right then, I`m off to post this 28-300L on ebay for sale or a trade. I would offer it on here but I dont have enough posts.
 
Precision said:
I do wish Canon would make something like a 200-400 F4 like Nikon do.
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Only down side is the price of it. Even the Mk1 is >£4K

I've just picked up a 120-300mm and it's early days but it seems quite impressive. First real world shoot with it on Sunday so we'll see how it goes then :)
 
sorry guys, no selling or price checks out side the classifieds :(
 
So how many posts do I need before I even start talking about selling or asking for a price check on it then??
 
Precision said:
I have a 7-200 L 2.8 and a 400mm 2.8 IS L at the moment and as the 300L 2.8 would be nice, its the versatility I`m looking for between 70 and 300mm, with decent quality and speed. I do wish Canon would make something like a 200-400 F4 like Nikon do.

I think I will go for the Sigma 120-300 as that just ticks the boxes Im looking at : speed, focal range and of course price.

Right then, I`m off to post this 28-300L on ebay for sale or a trade. I would offer it on here but I dont have enough posts.
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You could buy a second hand Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/2.8 IS for the price of a 200-400mm f/4. The 120-300mm Sigma sounds like it would suit you better than a 28-300mm and I've seen quite a few 120-300s at race tracks up and down the country.
 
Precision said:
So how many posts do I need before I even start talking about selling or asking for a price check on it then??
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it's 100 posts, you're well over the one month limit :)
 
I understand totally. But I have been coming here for well over a year now, daily. Im sure my stats will show that, but I`m just not big on posting.

And I`m sure someone will want this lens I have.
 
Precision said:
Let me know how you get on with it.
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it's none too shabby :)




last night


slightly out of focus and a big crop but given how difficult these guys are anyway it's not too bad


 
They dont look too bad at all.

Right then, where do I get one of these Siggy 120-300 2.8 then? :)
 
honestly not taking the p but get your posts up so you can get access to the classifieds here. Prices tend to be better than ebay and you can normally be more confident in what you're getting.

I got mine for a shade over £900 :)
 
I agree mate, but I need to get my 28-300L sold and another bought before Tuesday as I have a job on then for two days.

Not the end of the world, I can get by with what I have, but it would be nice.
 
Have you tested the 28-300 much. I had one and it was superb, really sharp, really good contrast. I sold it because I shoot with prime lens mainly and the 28 - 300 was just too big physically
 
I have not tested it yet no, and I have no doubt it will be a superb lens in the right situation, but I shoot in dusty conditions and Im sure the push / pull pump wont like that.
 
Rent one and try. If your doing it professionally then you can afford the cost of renting one for a few weekends.

Having tried one, i returned it, i may of got a duffer as it was used, but it was fairly useless at 2.8. However alot of guys use them to great effect.

Recently i have been using nearly nothing else apart from my 70-200 2.8 + 1.4x, Finding this performs better than my Sigma 100-300 F4 EX DG HSM on the 1d3.

Unless your wanting to work with this lens in particularly dusty or low light conditions, then i would imagine your better off with the 28-300 or maybe switching to a 35-350. Both are pretty well thought of lenses and offer unparalleled focal ranges. (just seen your above post, so a twist zoom would be a good idea)
 
Yep, a twist zoom is what I`m after for sure. I have a 70-200 2.8 and both 2x and 1.4 converters, and a 400 2.8L aswell, and I dont like using converters tbh, so all I`m missing (and I do), is a 300mm.

Even a Sigma 300mm 2.8 prime maybe? I did consider a 100-300 f4 Sigma. You reckon that isnt too hot on a MK3 body?
 
The Sigma 120-300 f2.8 does seem to be getting rave reviews.
 
Precision said:
I have not tested it yet no, and I have no doubt it will be a superb lens in the right situation, but I shoot in dusty conditions and Im sure the push / pull pump wont like that.
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Isn't the 28-300 weather-sealed anyway?
 
I have been using a 120-300 2.8 for over a year now and love it. I considered it to be a bit more versatile for me than a prime and I can use convertors when I need them and still retain good performance. I use it at air shows, motorsport and wildlife.

I also have the 35-350L which was the predecessor to the 28-300. Personally I sought out a secondhand 35-350 as I thought it was a better lens than its replacement. Again very versatile for walking around with all day if you don't know what you are going to find and it is a lot lighter than the 28-300 without the IS system. Oh, and it is a fraction of the price :D
 
Precision said:
Even a Sigma 300mm 2.8 prime maybe? I did consider a 100-300 f4 Sigma. You reckon that isnt too hot on a MK3 body?
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Not in my experience, but my lens is 3 years old now and in need of a service.

What events do you shoot, if we cover one of the same events, your more than welcome to try the 100-300.
 
first real world shots from mine. F2.8 at 300mm gives a silly small DOF so that's the first learning mistake out of the way. Apart from that, rather nice :) Focussing is fast and true, granted there was pretty good light today but reassuring. Felt a bit slower than my 70-200 2.8 but it's shifting a good bit more glass.

Weight isn't too bad to be honest. I used it on a D3 for about 6 hours and not really feeling it too bad.





 
Glad you are pleased with it.

Thanks for posting up the results. I think I will go get one of these to try.

Thanks again.
 
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