Zoom for airshow pics?

[lborob17]

To put on the front of my 30D Ive been looking at the expensive 100-400L or the cheaper sigma 50-500 - but I have recently seen the sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS at around the same cost as the 50-500

Has anyone any experience of the latter as I have not heard much about it?

Is it worth sacrificing OS/IS for an extra 100mm zoom or
would the 100-400L blow both the sigmas away?

Also what is the difference between the DG version of the 50-500 and the non DG? - I understand it was optimised for digital - but what does this mean and will it make any difference to the pics I take?:confused:

Mr confused:confused:

[steved110]

I've seen this question asked before. the perceived wisdom is that the 80-400 OS is slow focusing and the OS is not fantastic. the slow focusing is a bad thing with stuff like planes moving past at high speeds.

If you want a lens with stabilisation the 100-400 is the one to go for.
If you don't particularly need IS then the Bigma 50-500 is the one to go for - better price and a bit more reach too. You will need support with either, and I'd suggest a monopod being the most flexible for airshows.

[Jon]

You certainly don't need a tripod with the 100-400 for an air show. At least I don't use one. The IS does well enough that I can manage quite well without, and unless you're dealing with very slow aircraft you'll likely find even a monopod will seriously impair your ability to keep up with the subject unless the crowd gives you plenty of room.

[aero145]

For airshow, 100-400 is great, and if the aircraft are very close to you (+ they're big), try the 28-105 3.5-4.5 II - it's cheap, and pretty decent AFAIK.

[Billginthekeys]

100-400 for sure

[LightRules]

The 1-4IS is excellent, but the Bigma here might be your better bet.

[WRC]

Zooms are for the weak! Get the 400 prime ;)

(Just jokes 100-400 owners!)

[Jon]

Zooms are for the weak! Get the 400 prime ;)

(Just jokes 100-400 owners!)Foot zoom for marathoners!

[GSH]

100-400L..definitely.

IS for the slow shutter Prop / Helicopter stuff and enough quality to crop a bit if the display line is a good way off. Nice & Light for extended hand-holding too. :)

[Webmonkeyuk]

It peeves me off a bit when people say that the 80-400 is to slow for airshows, ive had mine for just over a year now and ive managed to shoot at loads of airshows and ive not had any problems with it focusing if you know how to get the best out of it but it is a little slower than the canon usm motor. as for the OS been not that good ive never heard of that before.

The only problem ive found with mine is the build quality the OS went just before the warranty was up and this is a big and my 30D doesnt seem to like the Mode 2 OS on my 80-400 as it gives me error 1 messages alot of the time. In the end its like anything the more you spend the better it is so if you have the money get the canon if not pick one of the sigmas You will be happy with either.

Hope you dont mind me posting a few shots to show what the 80-400 can do.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/webmonkeyuk/Airshows/Picture220.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/webmonkeyuk/Airshows/Picture344.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/webmonkeyuk/Airshows/Picture083.jpg

[malla1962]

I was very happy with the 100-400L for airshows.:D:D

[xuxu1]

I was very happy with the 100-400L for airshows.:D:D

It´s not only you! :mrgreen:

http://members.aon.at/aircanon/mypics/bgih5203.jpg

ED

[Stan43]

I'm prejudiced since I only have the 100-400 but I love it. My favorite lens and I have some good ones.

[lborob17]

cheers for the info guys

....hmm looking like the 100-400 is in the lead so far..........