Prime 300F4L or 100-400L for motorsports

[sebmour]

Looking at these two lenses. Wondering if the prime would cause me trouble. Meaning being always at same focal lenght you only get 1-2 chances to get the shot and sometimes framing will not be dead on.

I know that image quality will be better with Prime over the zoom but would i need the versatility of the zoom in a racing environnement.

Also thinking about a 1.4X converter so this would make my 70-200L 2.8 280mm reach and the 300mm into a 420mm reach. (without considering the crop factor of my 30D)


What do you guys shoot motorsports with?

Thank you for your time.
Sebastien

[cjm]

I have a Canon 1.4x TC and its worth every penny! It takes my expensive lenses and makes them another one. Very little IQ is lost (at least on mine) so its a good investment.

I have the 300mm f4 IS L and its a pretty good lens but I can't tell you if it would be good for motorsports or not because I have never shot any. I am eyeing a 100-400 L though and thinking of dumping the 300mm L once it is rebuilt by Canon because a royal loser sold me a dud.

[Stan43]

The 100-400 will be much more versatile. It could be used out on the course as well as in the pits at the short end. The IQ of the 300 ,I think, will be slightly better. If you can find a great spot on the course where your framing is good with the 300 you'll be OK although somewhat limited. Both good choices.

[LightRules]

Check out the Sigma 120-300 f2.8, and if not that, maybe the Sigma 100-300 f4. Both produce stunning IQ and provide the convenience of zoom.

[EORI]

Also thinking about a 1.4X converter so this would make my 70-200L 2.8 280mm reach and the 300mm into a 420mm reach. (without considering the crop factor of my 30D)

I use the 70-200 2.8IS on a 5D, occasionally in combination with the 1.4x tc (I've had good fortune getting media access through work, so I'm usually closer to the action). I like it very much.

I've thought about getting the 300/4 to give me increased range, but like you, I've wondered how much flexibility I would be missing without the ability to zoom. The 100-400 seems like an option, but the last time I used a push-pull zoom was back in the '80s, and I found the design unwieldy.