help lens for sports

[slimsurf]

Hi

i am an amateur struggling to go pro I have a paper thats getting me accreditation to about one big football (soccer) or Rugby game a week and I need to make sure I get the shots.
Currently using a 70-200 2.8 IS on a 1DMKII going to go for broke as I want to make the most of this opening
My question is
400 2.8 IS v 300 2.8 IS
Canon v Sigma
I am going to buy a second body
I want to buy a prime and will spend the money on Canon if its going to make a significant difference (its an investment against my future).
I rented a 400 and it was amazing but can't afford to keep renting
Sorry if this revives a sigma canon thing
all advice appreciated

[Zilly]

i would go 400 f2.8 l is and have that mounted to a second 1dmkii

if you can weight i would weight and see how much the 1dmkii price drops when the new 1dmkiii comes out

[calicokat]

If you can afford it, the 400 F/2.8L IS is your best bet

[Billginthekeys]

if you can afford it the 400 2.8 is the best field sports lens out there. but as a 300 2.8 owner i definitly think it is also a great and capable lens if you cant spend the money, but if you want to go pro then the 400 is your best bet, because you are going to need it someday. remember that 400 2.8 will be a great lens for many years/decades to come, in that time who knows how many camera bodies you will go through!

[the.digital.guy]

If you can afford it, the 400 F/2.8L IS is your best bet

I totally agree.........The Best Sports Lens out there. If you can't afford it; Start saving for it. You'll then have to find a way to buy it.
I've been saving for 1 1/2 years...........come this December I'll be a lucky owner of the 400 2.8 L IS.

[cwphoto]

400/2.8 IS is definitely the lens of choice for field sports.

[Psychic1]

slimsurf:
Calumet leases equipment because most young Pro's can not afford to purchase what they need.
Sometimes you have to take a chance.
;)

[Tapeman]

Find a way to get the 400 2.8. If you are serious about going pro you'll need it and it will pay for itself.(Assuming you have what it takes to be a pro.)

[slimsurf]

Hi

Thanks everyone - I guess I wont really know if I have the talent till i go for it the paper are very happy with me so far and i improve every game. looks like the 400 2.8
just wondering how that will work with Swimming Athletics tennis etc

[cwphoto]

Hi

Thanks everyone - I guess I wont really know if I have the talent till i go for it the paper are very happy with me so far and i improve every game. looks like the 400 2.8
just wondering how that will work with Swimming Athletics tennis etc

The 400/2.8 IS is the standard sports lens period. Combine it with a 1.4x II, a 580EX II, a 70-200/2.8 IS, and a 16-35/2.8 II and you can tackle 95% of sports assignments on the planet.

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Slimsurf,

I've just gone through the same dilemma as you.......

Recently started doing stuff for the nationals and an agency and I use a mk2 with a 300 2.8 and that is doing just fine, often with a 1.4 tagged onto it. Have a 1d with a 70-200 on it as the second body.

I had a great many conversations about the 400 with a couple of chaps from EMPICS and their view was that with a 300 and a mk2, you will get everything that you need, without having to go for the initial expense of the 400.

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt the reach of a 400 is a huge advantage, however over the summer you will have more than enough light for the 300 with a 1.4 on with no loss in quality (for examples from this weekend have a look here (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=298442)

This combo got me a pic in the Mirror on Monday, so am guessing it must work pretty well! ;)

As for me, I unshamedly admit I will be keeping an eye out for a 400 and will move up to that as soon as I can, but for now, the results the 300 is bringing me isn't giving me any sleepless nights....also, as a secondary thought if you were to get a 300 now and then sell it and move to a 400 in a year's time, you will find that the a used 300 will pretty much hold its value over a year too.

Hope that this helps.

Good Luck!

Paul

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Also, regards the Tennis, Athletics, Swimming then I think you will find the 300 more managable too......

[Benandbobbi]

Get "The Separator" or as it is more commonly called, the 400 2.8. For sports, there is really no other comparable lens. It also works very well for birding, animals, etc. Also, when you need some extra reach, it handles the extenders better than any lens I've ever owned. It's like they're not even that in terms of reduced IQ.

[drjiveturkey]

You'll need a second body too. 300 or 400 for individual action, and 70-200 or even a 24-70 for shots covering a wider portion of the field.