Canon Telephoto (Motorsport)

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rob13

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Rob
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I'm looking to build up my lineup of lenses. I currently have the 17-85 & Nifty 50 for my 40D (only had it since October so still learning) but I want to stretch out to an UWA and a Telephoto

I'm looking at getting a Sigma 10-20mm for the UWA, originally thought about a Canon 10-22mm but its about £130-£150 extra for the Canon option which could be put to a telephoto.

At the moment, I'm interested in shooting all kinds of subjects - landscapes, people, motorsport, cars/bikes etc. while I find my feet.

Im a big fan of Superbikes and attend events every year. Cadwell, Oulton Park & Croft are my usual visits, but I also go to Scarborough for the road racing and have been further afield previously.

I'm also looking to get into event work, and currently have a few openings.

I originally thought about looking at the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 for its large aperture, and sharp images. I thought this could be teamed with a 1.4 teleconverter to give me the motorsport option but fast enough for indoor event work.

Alternatively, the Canon 100-300mm IS USM which is cheaper but also seems to get good reviews. Only thing about this one is that its not as fast as the Sigma.


I dont want to buy 2 (not yet anyway as I'll probably upgrade in the future when I know what I want and know more about photography) so would appreciate some assistance on which one to go for, or possibly another option.
 
I've had a lot of sucess with my Sigma 70-200 at Silverstone/Donington/Snetterton with both Bikes and cars. Obviously the longer the lens the closer you get to the action BUT you can always crop in.

I've found that when I've got my 150-500 fitted it's quite often too long :bang:
 
My (slightly biased) View would be the Sigma 100-300 F4 EX DG HSM, which you could still TC on a XXXD or XXD body.

If you want to see some samples with that lens and a 40d then take a look on the site at some motorsports photos.

You get used copies coming up for about £500-550.

For what its worth i very rarely see any Bigma's or any of the Sigma 120-400 50-500 range of varied aperture lenses used at the circuits. I wouldnt expect them to be fast enough in the variable light that often seems to come as part of a BSB meeting.

If you think £500 is a bit pricey then i would buy the Sigma 70-200 2.8 or Canon 70-200 F4 until you can afford a decent 300mm. Then sell the 70-200 .... its unlikely to loose value if you look after it.
 
mrgubby said:
... it's quite often too long :bang:
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not many men can say they have that problem! :p

i hear the canon 70-200 is fast focusing and sharp so thats worth a shot. the f4L can be picked up new under £500
 
If bikes are your thing then you need 300mm and not the 200mm for cars.

Either Nick's suggestion of the Sigma 100-300 f4 (and check out his work to see how good you can do with it - the answer btw is "damned good" :D) or if thats a bit pricey, have a look at the Canon 70-300IS, which I would consider to be the entry level for motorsport capable Canon lenses.

The Sigma 70-200 2.8 IMHO is poor enough without sticking a TC on it, I'd really avoid that.
 
Rovers_Andy said:
300 f/2.8 for handholdability

400 f/2.8 upwards for Monopod.
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and breathe, you're back in the land of reality;)

I use a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 £500 should buy one, you don't need mega expensive glass to get good results, Matt Sayle is taking his bike shots with a £150 Tamron 70-300mm zoom and many others are taking excellent shots with similar.
 
wack61 said:
and breathe, you're back in the land of reality;)

I use a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 £500 should buy one, you don't need mega expensive glass to get good results, Matt Sayle is taking his bike shots with a £150 Tamron 70-300mm zoom and many others are taking excellent shots with similar.
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:lol: sorry i saw Canon Telephoto in the thread title, the siggy 100-300 looks nice along with the 120-300, in fact im thinking of the 120-300 for Motorsports :)
 
It depends what side of the fence you are. Unfortunately I got fences and safety barriers to contend with, so for the tracks I've got to use a 300mm lens which is the minimum I needed, usually with the 1.4x TC attached, although the canon 70-200mm f2.8 does come out now and again.

With a media pass a 70-200mm could be ideal, not a great combo on a TC, you lose an f-stop of light and significantly hits on autofocus performance.

If you're looking for a single lens then the sigma 100-300mm f4 your best bet.

As for indoor photography, you really need something faster than f2.8, preferable a prime lens like the 100mm f2, 135mm f2, 85mm f1.8 or 50mm f1.4, these would be better indoor options than the sigma 70-200mm f2.8
 
save money by not buying IS unless you have no choice.. I personally never found a use for it in motorsport.

I had a 100-400L previously, but then switched to a 70-200 x 1.4 (280mm). For motorsport I never take the teleconverter off and often find myself needing more mm.

But its what you do with it that counts :)
 
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