Which lens is better for Wildlife/sports photography?

[JABACo]

With a 2x Sigma TC, which lens would serve me better for distance (of course) daytime shooting for wildlife and sports in general.

1. Sigma 50-500mm
2. Sigma 80-400mm
3. Canon 100-400mm

I will use the Sigma 2x TC about 40% of the time.

Thanks any help you can give me.

Bradley

[timmyquest]

The canon has better IS and better optics then the two other sigmas.

The sigma 80-400 has taken some great photographs for some members on this site, but it's almost as much as the canon.

[Cadwell]

I wouldn't have said any of them are particularly good as you will have no autofocus with the 2xTC and those lenses...

The Sigma 80-400mm is not listed as compatible with the 2x TC at all so you can probably discount that one.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Which is better?

Of the three you list the Canon is better.

You won't be using the 2X T-c with either once you actually try it and see the results. On The Sigma 50-500mm the 2X is crap... on the 100-400mm it is marginally better.. usefull imagess are indeed at least possible.. but at f/11 you won't be seeing any autofocus.

If you need 500mm.. then grab the Sigma. It is a great wildlife lens!

If you can live with 400mm and want the advantage of IS then go for the Canon and then you can try a 1.4X T-C (again no AF) it will offer usable apertures and image quality.

Lastly, none of these are great for sports.. but I'd give the nod to the Canon again.

[scottbergerphoto]

Wildlife?
Tripod? Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX APO HSM
Handheld? Canon 400 f/5.6
More versatility(but slightly less sharp and slower AF)? Canon 100-400 IS L
Scott

[JABACo]

Ok. I appreciate all the input.

I normally use my 70-200 f/2.8 for 95% of the sports I shoot. However, I've been asked to be A photog at the Dixie Majors World Series to be held in July. From the position I'll be in, I will need a longer lens. Hence the question I posted. I realize that I'll lose AF with the TC but that really doesn't concern me. I'll be concentrating on very particular positions on the field and no really following the action persay.

The Sigma HSM's 80-400mm and 50-500mm are very enticing at their current price. Like the Sigma 50-500mm, the Canon 100-400mm is a push-pull lens, right??? I really don't care for that but I could live with it.

For you "L" guys, I've stronglyconsidered taking a loan out for the Canon 400mm 2.8. Am I nuts? Maybe, but it SHOULD more than half-way pay for itself at this baseball tournament. Or I could just buy MII and use my 10D as backup.

Further inputs and advice is welcome.

Thanks

[scottbergerphoto]

Ok. I appreciate all the input.

I normally use my 70-200 f/2.8 for 95% of the sports I shoot. However, I've been asked to be A photog at the Dixie Majors World Series to be held in July. From the position I'll be in, I will need a longer lens. Hence the question I posted. I realize that I'll lose AF with the TC but that really doesn't concern me. I'll be concentrating on very particular positions on the field and no really following the action persay.

The Sigma HSM's 80-400mm and 50-500mm are very enticing at their current price. Like the Sigma 50-500mm, the Canon 100-400mm is a push-pull lens, right??? I really don't care for that but I could live with it.

For you "L" guys, I've stronglyconsidered taking a loan out for the Canon 400mm 2.8. Am I nuts? Maybe, but it SHOULD more than half-way pay for itself at this baseball tournament. Or I could just buy MII and use my 10D as backup.

Further inputs and advice is welcome.

Thanks
If you're working in daylight, try the 400 5.6 or the 100-400 IS L.
Scott

[JABACo]

If you're working in daylight, try the 400 5.6 or the 100-400 IS L.
Scott

Scott,

I'll be working both day and night games on top of each dugout. The games will be played at the local college with a lot foul ball territory.

Bradley

[Rob Larsen]

I have used my Canon 100-400mm for sports photography, but have been disappointed in it's inability to isolate the subject with a large aperture. Especially in situations such as baseball where you have distracting fences and advertisements potentially in the background. While I do love this lens for wildlife, I tend to rely on my 70-200IS with 1.4TC for sports. Although this combination is a bit short for baseball.

The 400mm 2.8 would be ideal for your event. Have you considered renting one for the day? If the event does turn out to be a windfall, then possibly the store you rented it from will credit your rental price towards a purchase...

Here is a wildlife shot with the Canon 100-400mm:

http://www.roblarsen.com/galleries/wildlife/main/wildlife_0004_std.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

FYI.. the Siga 80-400 OS is NOT equipped with an HSM motor... it's focus is a good deal slower than the HSM equipped lenses like the 50-500mm and the 70-200mm EX HSMs