What is the ideal lens for Equestrian photography?

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Shelly Snapshot

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Michelle
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I am currently using the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8

How much benifit would I gain from upgrading to the Canon version of this?

The sigma is very sharp even when I take my hand held shots to say it doesn't have IS either.

Just wanting to up-grade things and get the propper gear for the jobs really

What do you think?

Cheers SS
 
I have that lens too and my Canon L lenses (24-70L and 100-400L) blow it out of the water, IQ wise.

I will be looking to upgrade to the Canon version when I have the cash but I'm going to go the whole hog and get the 2.8 IS version since this will give me the best performance. I know it's heavier but I'm a fair size myself so that doesn't worry me, it might worry you though.

Other than that your options are the 2.8 or the 4 IS - which is your call really, although I would think that IS would matter less as you are shooting a moving target. If I were you (and I didn't want the 2.8 IS) I'd go for the 2.8 non IS version. I think that will be a fairly big upgrade from the Sigma in terms of image quality.
 
The canon one is better but you wont see a massive difference... mostly colour and maybe the ability to crop in more.... I ahve had both the sigma and canon ... I prefer the canon :)

Depends on what your looking for.. an f2.8 70-200 just changing the make isnt going to make that much of a difference in the way you photograph
 
Mmm tricky one this. I shoot equestrian alongside my shooting buddy. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS, he shoots with the Siggy (although admittedly on a Nikon).

I NEVER use the IS for equestrian action.

Although I love my 70-200 I'm not sure how much image improvement you'd notice compared to the Siggy...
 
Chucking something else in here.

You will get better AF with the Canon lens. In my experience this is where you will notice image quality boosts - you will nail the focus more often and with more consistent results.

Side by side on a static subject there will not be a great lot in it. Moving subjects is where the Canon 70-200 F2.8 L IS really shines.
 
Thanky you all for taking the time to reply - I think I will hang out with the Sigma at the moment and save for something more substantial at a later date,
Its a great lens and it does the job I need reallym so seeing as I am just starting out maybe I should get my feet under the table a little more first!:)

Michelle
 
shelly just out of interest exactly which model sigma do you have ?
 
i have the sigma (first gen macro) and it makes some very nice 9x6 prints with the 20D.

at this precise moment i see no benefit personally from going to the canon, sure it has weather sealing but i have a storm jacket for it..
 
ok just wondered, cos i'm possibly about to purchase an APO EX HSM non macro version......which i've read a few times that this happens to be the favoured version of this lens....:thinking:
can anyone shed any more light on this....:bang:
 
Shelly Snapshot said:
How much benifit would I gain from upgrading to the Canon version of this?
Click to expand...

This is just my personal opinion but in terms of image quality I'd say not a lot, if anything at all. My sigma was at least as sharp as the Canon F2.8IS I have now.

What you do gain is weather sealing on the canon.
 
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