Help me pick motorsport lens

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poppy6

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Hi,

now looking to get my motorsport lens.

I have a choice of 2

Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 @ £500

Canon 70-200mm f4 (non is)@ £462

I'm thinking of the siggy as I can also use it in low light at theatre shows.

How is the siggy for motorsports? I was thinking of getting the 2x at one point as well making it a 140-400mm f5.6.

any thoughts
 
Don't know about theatre work but if it was me I'd take the Canon.

I doubt if the Siggy would like the 2x, might lose a lot on quality
 
Umm I've got a feeling those lenses aren't gonna be long enough for motorsport, though others will know better, I would want the Canon 100-400 unless I'm very near the trackside.

Don't know bout the Sigma 70-200 2.8, but love my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS ;)

The Canon 70-200 f4 IS is allegedly very sharp if you can afford the extra for the IS.
 
Mad Badger said:
Umm I've got a feeling those lenses aren't gonna be long enough for motorsport, though others will know better, I would want the Canon 100-400 unless I'm very near the trackside.

Don't know bout the Sigma 70-200 2.8, but love my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS ;)

The Canon 70-200 f4 IS is allegedly very sharp if you can afford the extra for the IS.
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Cant afford IS :( and knockhill is close track and when I had the a700 I used a tamron 70-200 and it was ok.

And the 100-400 is double my price range
 
I have the sigma 70-200 2.8 and it's a great lens, tried it with the 2x not a good combination.

It is very useful for motor sport but works better when you have something a little longer as well, I use a 100-300 f/4 with a 1.4tc.
 
If weight is a consideration, the Canon is a lot lighter

I suffer from tennis elbow from time to time ( I blame 'er indoors for making me watch Wimbledon) and after lugging the the Siggie about for a few hours, my right arm was virtually useless for a couple of days.
 
Doesn't the canon have much better AF than the sigma, or did I imagine reading that somewhere? If it's true, the canon would probably be a better bet.
 
I have the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and am very pleased with the results. I don't find it too heavy. It works well with the 1.4x converter as 98-280mm f4.
 
poppy6 said:
Have you ever had problems with front focus issues on this lens?
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No problems at all.

I purchased a second hand non Macro version and sent it straight to Sigma for a clean and service. It has been a superb lens.
 
I agree with Mad Badger, that 70 - 200 may not be quite long enough. You may also end up at other locations for one reason or another. I had the same dilema a few months ago. In the end I went for the sigma 120mm - 400mm. (I love Canon lenses, but could not afford their top telephotos) It is a superb lens. I have also used the Canon 100-400. But, for its price about £550, the Sigma is outstanding. You may not be able to see the difference between the Canon and the Sigma images. Other than that weatherproofing, the lenses are very similar.
 
I got the lens on ebay for £263 because there was a bit of dust in it. Although the dust wasn't enough to affect the image I felt it was worth sending away for the service. I think that cost £122 including the return postage and took about two weeks. It was like a new lens when I got it back, I was very pleased.
 
£500 to much for a Sigma 70-200, but if that's your budget it will get you a Sigma 100-300 f/4.

I paid £380 for the Mk1 Macro from the classifieds on here.
 
i asked the same a while ago and i'm mostly at knockhill to. i decided to get the 300 f4 and the 70-200 f4 non is. Going to try and get one for april then the other later on. Someone had said these were the usual lenses at knockers and at some bits we can get close. i have been using the tamron 70-300 up till now. havent a clue on your theatre shows

where did you get those prices?

maybe meet you up there this year
 
martinxr2 said:
i asked the same a while ago and i'm mostly at knockhill to. i decided to get the 300 f4 and the 70-200 f4 non is. Going to try and get one for april then the other later on. Someone had said these were the usual lenses at knockers and at some bits we can get close. i have been using the tamron 70-300 up till now. havent a clue on your theatre shows
where did you get those prices?

maybe meet you up there this year
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Prices are from one stop digital.
 
poppy6 said:
Too much? where can I get a new one cheaper?
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Don't be afraid of buying used from the classifieds on here, my lens has performed perfectly and is probably more than 5 years old.

I try not to think of prices for new lenses :gag:
 
foggy4ever said:
Don't be afraid of buying used from the classifieds on here, my lens has performed perfectly and is probably more than 5 years old.

I try not to think of prices for new lenses :gag:
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I've bought a 50mm f1.4 on the classifieds (should be here tomorrow)

But no suitable lens, and If I dont order today the money will just get spent on bills :bang:
 
Good luck with what ever you choose, will luck forward to your efforts in the motorsport thread. Time for some much needed sleep, alarm set for 5am :(.
 
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