Motor/General Sports Lens For Canon

mattmajor

mattmajor

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Matt
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So im looking for a lens
MAX of £500
as i am going to start doing some motorsports photography
but im also photographing a "Strongman" event in a few weeks

i use a Canon 1000D
i have been looking at the Canon EF 70-200mm L F/4 USM (non-IS)
would that be a safe bet for both? or is there any comparable ones from sigma, canon, tamron etc..

Thanks
Matt
 
I recently picked up a Sigma 120-400mm 2nd hand off here for £440 and I'm very pleased with it. The 70-200 L are all fantastic lenses but for a lot of circuits they don't quite have enough reach.
 
me15 said:
I recently picked up a Sigma 120-400mm 2nd hand off here for £440 and I'm very pleased with it. The 70-200 L are all fantastic lenses but for a lot of circuits they don't quite have enough reach.
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Thanks, Me15.
I'll take a look at that lens see if i can pick it up cheap enough somewhere.
 
Which circuits will you be able to realisticly attend?

It is true many circuits require more reach than 200mm but also if you will not be going to those circuits then the 70-200mm becomes viable again. Have a look for photos from the circuits you will be able to get to and see if you can find what focal lengths are used. Flickr is good for that.

The AF is lightening quick on the L and quality wide open makes it still one of the sharpest zooms you can buy. I chose a 70-200mm L for my motorsport needs because my local circuit is very accessible and I never found myself needing longer. You can always at a 1.4x into the mix to get a bit more reach without sacrificing much quality.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Which circuits will you be able to realisticly attend?

It is true many circuits require more reach than 200mm but also if you will not be going to those circuits then the 70-200mm becomes viable again. Have a look for photos from the circuits you will be able to get to and see if you can find what focal lengths are used. Flickr is good for that.

The AF is lightening quick on the L and quality wide open makes it still one of the sharpest zooms you can buy. I chose a 70-200mm L for my motorsport needs because my local circuit is very accessible and I never found myself needing longer. You can always at a 1.4x into the mix to get a bit more reach without sacrificing much quality.
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Ill be heading to Oulton Park only at the moment as thats all i can get to with transport. :) will check flickr out, thanks
 
RichardtheSane said:
You can always at a 1.4x into the mix to get a bit more reach without sacrificing much quality.
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I was thinking this too, and since he uses a 1000D he has the 1.6 crop multiplier to add in as well...
 
trencheel303 said:
I was thinking this too, and since he uses a 1000D he has the 1.6 crop multiplier to add in as well...
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Canon 1000D is on its way it in the new year so it doesnt matter too much if it crops it a little now.
 
I've just done a quick search of the motorsports forum here on TP for Oulton and there are plenty of threads showing cracking shots from that location taken at under 200mm.
 
thanks richard
i think ill go with the Canon EF 70-200mm L f/4 USM lens and then use the Canon EF 50mm II f/1.8 for the other sporting event as i will be up close to them.

Thanks

Matty
 
mattmajor said:
thanks richard
i think ill go with the Canon EF 70-200mm L f/4 USM lens and then use the Canon EF 50mm II f/1.8 for the other sporting event as i will be up close to them.

Thanks

Matty
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I thinks thats a good shout. A lot of circuits as said you can get shots with a 200. In time you could always add a 1.4x convertor if the extra length is required.

The quality of said 70-200 is spot on as you will find with most L lenses. You will enjoy it!

Make sure you post up some examples that you have taken once you get the lens!

Most of all enjoy!
 
antc said:
I thinks thats a good shout. A lot of circuits as said you can get shots with a 200. In time you could always add a 1.4x convertor if the extra length is required.

The quality of said 70-200 is spot on as you will find with most L lenses. You will enjoy it!

Make sure you post up some examples that you have taken once you get the lens!

Most of all enjoy!
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will do :)
hopefully get some stuff worthy to use in my University portfolio
 
Slimbert said:
Don't count out the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8.....never owned one myself but lots of people are very happy with that lens! :thumbs:
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if i had that extra £100 i would jump at the chance of one of these but unfortunatly i need a lens sooner than i can get that extra £100 :(
 
mattmajor said:
Canon 1000D is on its way it in the new year so it doesnt matter too much if it crops it a little now.
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I think you missed the point... the crop factor of the 1000D will appear to increase the length of a 70-200 mm lens... on top of that the 1.4 converter will give you even more length.

A lot of serious toggers use 1D series cameras for photography like this which has less of a crop factor, so you will probably get away with using a relatively 'short' lens for this type of photography.
 
ahh i see
well that will come in handy then :)

Thanks for all your helps guys/girls

Shall be buying a Canon EF 70-200mm L USM f/4 in a few weeks time :)
 
the 70-200mm F/4 and a 1.4TC are pretty much all you'll need at Oulton, the only time you need longer is getting them coming over the hill at Lodge

the 1.4x kenko pro 300 or Pro 300 DG can be bought for £100 or less, it's as good as the canon TC for 1/2 the price, it's that specific one you need to get though.

you'll get a 280mm f/5.6 then, don't be tempted to go for the 2x as the difference in quality will be noticeable.
 
wack61 said:
the 70-200mm F/4 and a 1.4TC are pretty much all you'll need at Oulton, the only time you need longer is getting them coming over the hill at Lodge

the 1.4x kenko pro 300 or Pro 300 DG can be bought for £100 or less, it's as good as the canon TC for 1/2 the price, it's that specific one you need to get though.

you'll get a 280mm f/5.6 then, don't be tempted to go for the 2x as the difference in quality will be noticeable.
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thanks :)
i'll look at purchashing a teleconverter in a few months when ive got more money :)
 
trencheel303 said:
...and he won't have AF.
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yeah i was just reading up on that.
i think ill try get a 1.4x TC by christmas so i can start the new year with everything i need :)

just need to get some shots once i get the lens and try get them published so i can get a media bib..
 
Give me a shout when you next plan on going to Oulton at a weekend; and you can try a 1.4 converter so you can see the effects.
 
Ziploc said:
Give me a shout when you next plan on going to Oulton at a weekend; and you can try a 1.4 converter so you can see the effects.
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i think im heading up on October 16th for the BRSCC Club Car Championships
As im working most weekends between now an then as well as heading back to college :gag:
 
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