Lens for airshows/motorsport

306dean

306dean

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Dean
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It may seem like i'm posting a load of threads recently regarding equipment changes.

I'm looking for a lens for motorsport/airshows & the occasional wildlife.

Budget is approx £450, 2nd hand is going to be a must with my budget.

I've been looking at the Sigma 170-500mm mainly because of the cost, I have seen a couple going around the £260 mark on ebay, this would leave me with some cash to purchase a 50mm 1.8.
However after reading some reviews it appears that it is a fairly tricky lens to get on with due to the lack of OS, but i'm struggling to see how OS would make much of a difference with panning shots (which will be most of my motorsport).

Another option i have been looking at is the Sigma 135-400mm, again on the cheaper side.

I am completely open to suggestions at the moment as i don't want to regret the purchase.

Thanks

Dean
 
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Another lens to throw in the mix is the sigma 120-400! supposed to be quite good,
I had the 150-500 for a while but had to get rid to raise some much needed cash think i lost about £150 in less than 12 months as the prices for them dropped a fair bit, I miss having it now and have no way of taking pictures of wildlife at the moment so am also looking for a cheeper option to replace it!!
 
306dean said:
I'm looking for a lens for motorsport/airshows & the occasional wildlife. Budget is approx £450, 2nd hand is going to be a must with my budget. I've been looking at the Sigma 170-500mm or the Sigma 135-400mm
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Personally neither lens. With you budget I would go with MJs suggestion of the sigma 120-400mm much better lens than either of the above.
 
Not wishing to hijack this thread but does anyone no what the sigma 400mm 5.6 prime lens is like!
Much is said about the old 300 f4 But these are rarer to find!!
 
I've got a Sigma 150-500 OS and the wife has a Sigma 120-400 OS and both of them are excellent quality lenses. The IQ is virtually the same all the way through the range, the OS system is fantastic and both should be within your budget for second hand. TBH you'll probably find the 150-500 OS easier to find second hand than the 120-400 OS. Both are fairly heavy though but you can get some excellent shots from them, even handheld.

Here's a couple of pics, the first is from the 150-500 and the second from the 120-400 and both are SOOC with only a crop for PP.
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cosmicma said:
what about a 300mm F4 L ( non IS ) they tend to go on the second hand market for around 500 quid if you can find one

a very good lens for the money
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If you can find one, not seen a non IS version for sale for a very long time on any of the forums or used equipment websites.
 
mjb123 said:
Not wishing to hijack this thread but does anyone no what the sigma 400mm 5.6 prime lens is like!
Much is said about the old 300 f4 But these are rarer to find!!
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Mine (the HSM version) is a very nice lens, as good as you could expect from a prime such as this, but won't stop down beyond f/5.6 on my Canon 40D. (I'm putting it up for sale soon :) )
 
mjb123 said:
Not wishing to hijack this thread but does anyone no what the sigma 400mm 5.6 prime lens is like!
Much is said about the old 300 f4 But these are rarer to find!!
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I know I had two older and the latest, old one was terrible but newer one was really fine, picked it up cheap and was really pleased with it.
The one you want is APO Tele Macro
Just like that one:
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Mike P. They were shot as RAW and just converted in Canon DPP. More often than not I shoot Jpegs but I've been shooting Jpeg and Raw a lot since I got my 5D3. Most of the time I just end up either using the Jpegs or doing a slight levels tweak in DPP and that's it.

I try not to to any PP if possible as I'm not too great at it anyway. I've got Elements 9 on the computer but can't get on with it so I've only used it twice since I got it. If they are as good as I want without any PP then I'll generally just use the Jpegs.

Here's another recent shot with the 5D3 and Sigma 150-500 OS and this is a Jpeg with just a crop, no other PP done at all. I'm happy enough with the result and to me it looks just like it did in the garden when I took it and that's the look I prefer.
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pete.rush said:
If you can find one, not seen a non IS version for sale for a very long time on any of the forums or used equipment websites.
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There's always at least 1 for sale on fleabay, but for the price they go for the lack of IS would put me off i think!!
 
mjb123 said:
There's always at least 1 for sale on fleabay, but for the price they go for the lack of IS would put me off i think!!
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i wouldn't be put off too much about the lack of IS for the money they are a great lens and not that heavy making IS not as much of a consideration as the 2.8 version which is quite a heavy lens and IS would be a real benefit at lower shutter speeds

iv'e had one for a few years now and to be honest i don't really give the lack of IS a second thought
 
cosmicma said:
i wouldn't be put off too much about the lack of IS for the money they are a great lens and not that heavy making IS not as much of a consideration as the 2.8 version which is quite a heavy lens and IS would be a real benefit at lower shutter speeds

iv'e had one for a few years now and to be honest i don't really give the lack of IS a second thought
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I'll give this some consideration then thank you for your advice!! Any chance of some handheld samples?
 
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mjb123 said:
There's always at least 1 for sale on fleabay, but for the price they go for the lack of IS would put me off i think!!
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I don't find the lack of IS matters too much when you're shooting moving targets. The non-IS lens also appears to be a little better wide open than than the IS version - I've read this many times, and my non-IS is certainly a little better than a friend's IS lens. This makes it great when used with a 1.4x teleconverter, still sharp wide open. Most of the shots of aircraft in the air HERE were taken with this lens, with teleconverter, hand held. I often use a monopod with this combination for motorsports which, apart from adding stability, supports the weight (which is nice if you're using it for a long while).

I've often thought of replacing this lens, but it's just so good that I've never been able to do it :)
 
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gcogger said:
I don't find the lack of IS matters too much when you're shooting moving targets. The non-IS lens also appears to be a little better wide open than than the IS version - I've read this many times, and my non-IS is certainly a little better than a friend's IS lens. This makes it great when used with a 1.4x teleconverter, still sharp wide open. Most of the shots of aircraft in the air HERE were taken with this lens, with teleconverter, hand held. I often use a monopod with this combination for motorsports which, apart from adding stability, supports the weight (which is nice if you're using it for a long while).

I've often thought of replacing this lens, but it's just so good that I've never been able to do it :)
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Thanks very helpful I did read that about the non IS being a tad sharper, and started a thread but didn't really go anywhere! I can't afford the IS model will keep my eye out for a non IS version!!
Won't be buying anything though until people start needing a carpenter more as work at the moment is awful!!!
 
Beav said:
I didn't even know there was one. Im looking for an upgrade from a 55-250mm canon lens for motorsports. Might consider one for just under £300. :)
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That's why it's cheap, 170-500mm heavy, very slow autofocus, f6.3, soft at 500mm and no OS system which you would need for handheld, would never consider this lens especially for Motorsport.
 
Motorsport depends very much on the track. Some let you get close enough for 300 to be plenty while others will leave you wanting more with 500!

The lack of OS in the 170-500 Sigma isn't too much of a hinderance when panning at tracks but could be for aviation or non-panning MS shots. My MS shooting tends to be at Castle Combe where 300 is generally plenty.

ALL the long Sigmas (xx(x)-500) are big, heavy beggars although compared to faster zooms and primes, they're not too bad. The 170-500 is rather slow to achieve focus on fast moving aircraft but once it's locked, it follows well if you can keep the 'plane in the point. The 150-500 OS is a bit faster to achieve focus. (Please note that I was shooting down on the 'planes against a fairly cluttered background and had problems picking the craft up so it's not surprising the lenses had slight problems!)
 
pete.rush said:
That's why it's cheap, 170-500mm heavy, very slow autofocus, f6.3, soft at 500mm and no OS system which you would need for handheld, would never consider this lens especially for Motorsport.
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Ok, my bad. Ile avoid it then. lol. Ive just made a thread in "talk motorsport and transport" asking people to name the lens they use for motorsport.
 
the 170 - 500mm sigma isn't all bad for the money as long as you don't go much above 400mm
if you are considering one make sure it's the APO DG version the older APO non DG version unless it's been re chipped isn't compatible with canon DSLR's the DG version is

there probably the cheapest way of getting to 500mm ( mirror lenses excluded ) although in reality there only good to around 400mm at F5.6
there still a usable lens on a tight budget

example - not the sharpest of lenses but it is a cheap lens
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Thanks for all the help. I will keep my eyes peeled for either a 150-500 or a 120-400 then. I guess if all else fails and my budget doesnt end up being what I think I can give the 170-500 a shot and see. If im not impressed it can go on ebay.
 
gcogger said:
Mine (the HSM version) is a very nice lens, as good as you could expect from a prime such as this, but won't stop down beyond f/5.6 on my Canon 40D. (I'm putting it up for sale soon :) )
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All these lenses that I've seen up for sale say there for film and not DSLR but your using it on a 40d! So will it work on a 60d
 
AFAIK, all EOS lenses for film should be fine on any DSLR. There might possibly be more chance of internal reflections (ghosting) when using older lenses but only in certain circumstances which should be avoidable. Some lenses have been given extra coatings to combat this ghosting but most modern (and that includes all EOS fit) lenses are reasonably coated anyway.
 
All canon EF lenses will work on the current canon DSLR's
The problem arises with 3rd party lenses, especially the older ones because they may need re-chipping, which is an issue in its self because the 3rd party manufactures have stopped offering this service for certain older lenses mainly because its not financially viable.
 
mjb123 said:
All these lenses that I've seen up for sale say there for film and not DSLR but your using it on a 40d! So will it work on a 60d
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I think the reason people say it's for film cameras is that it would be fully functional on those. On the 40D, as I said, you can't stop down from f/5.6. I also find I have to dial in a bit of exposure compensation for this lens. Other than that, it works very well - great image quality and focus speed. I expect these lenses would be the same on a 60D.
 
Hi instead of starting a new thread, does anyone no anything about the Tamron 300 f5.6 fd fit!!
Would it fit on a 60d!! I found 1 review on it and it seemed quite positive!!
 
i have just got the sigma 150-500 canon fit and love it nice lens still getting used to it but i like it takes nice photos
 
i have just got the sigma 150-500 canon fit and love it nice lens still getting used to it but i like it takes nice photos
 
I am in a real dilemma over a long lens for airshows. In the past I have hired a Nikon 300m f4 which is amazing, but now i have a d700 rather than a d300, i now miss that crop factor. If I got a 300mm would i get much use.

With Sigma, I have heard goodthings about the 100-300f4, but then you have the 100-400 or the 150-500 to consider. As I shoot mainly props, I am often at f8-f11 so should be fairly sharp by then. Any ideas????
 
306dean said:
I've taken the plunge in on a sigma 170-500mm apo DG. Should be with me on Monday.
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Did you get it for a good price? Don't forget to post some pictures!!
 
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