20D lens Advice

[Saltstein]

First of all I am a real newbie to DSLR's cameras so please forgive me for any technical errors in my post. I photo Drum and Bugle Corps (marching Bands) that perform in football stadiums. Previously I have done this with a point and shoot digital camera from the sideline of the football pitch. I would now like to take photographs in a more serious way, from the comfort of a seat in the stand. I plan to purchase a canon 20D and I would like an affordable telephoto lens that I could use to take some good quality close up pictures. I would really appreciate any advice on a suitable affordable telephoto lens.

I have looked at a sigma 170m - 500m and would appreciate your comments on this lens with regards to its suitability. I have seen some earlier posts on this discussion group that are not complementary about Sigma lens’s. What's the general opinion?

Finally, recently I have heard about 2x converters and just wondered if converters deteriorate the quality in any way?


Many Thanks in advance.
Regards,

Saltstein - 20D wanna be and soon going to be! :)

[Wazza]

These football matches, are they during the day or night?

The 170-500, isn't a terribly fast lens, and would need daylight, to take great shots.
As for converters, they definately do deteriorate the shots, and make lens a slower f-stop value, and also slower at autofocus.

[Saltstein]

These football matches, are they during the day or night?

The 170-500, isn't a terribly fast lens, and would need daylight, to take great shots.
As for converters, they definately do deteriorate the shots, and make lens a slower f-stop value, and also slower at autofocus.

Wazza,

The photography would be done mainly in the day. Would the 170-500 be fast enough to take quality shots of people on the move. Like in a football match?

Cheers,

Saltstein

[scottbergerphoto]

Why would you buy a better camera and then move to an inferior position? If you want good pictures with your new great camera, and the 20D is a great camera, add a 16-35 f/2.8 and get back on the field.
Scott

[cecilc]

Why would you buy a better camera and then move to an inferior position? If you want good pictures with your new great camera, and the 20D is a great camera, add a 16-35 f/2.8 and get back on the field.
Scott

Totally agree with Scott ..... don't move back into the stands - move forward. The comfort of a seat in the stands is not the serios way .....

This shot was taken on the field with a 400 2.8 and a 20D ...... couldn't have gotten that shot from the stands. (and she's with the band, too!)

http://www.awesomehouse.com/images/dance.jpg

As far as Sigma lenses go - I've got the Sigma 120-300 2.8 and I love it. But I've heard mixed reviews on it - good and very bad. Not all Sigma lenses seem to have the same quality control applied to them as others .....

[Saltstein]

thanks for the advice guys, I have taken what you have said on board and will stay on the field.

Cheers,

Saltstein

[Andy_T]

Saltstein,

I agree with ScottBerger on the first part of his advice ... get back to the field.

But as a standard lens, maybe the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is more suitable. At least, it is a lot more affordable :lol:

The Sigma 170-500 gets mixed reviews. From what I've seen, the 50-500 normally gets better comments, but it is also more expensive, big and heavy.

The 2.0 TCon visibly impacts picture quality, the 1.4 is the better choice here. Be aware that on the 20D you will lose Autofocus with anything slower than a constant f/4 when using the 1.4 Tcon. That means that the two Sigma 500 lenses will not work in AF with the converter.

An option would be the Canon 70-200/4.0 L or the Sigma 100-300/4.0 ... both lenses would be faster when used without the converter and allow autofocus with the 1.4.

Best regards,
Andy

[Saltstein]

Thanks for the responses, I am really learning stuff here. Any more advice greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Saltstein

[phili1]

I will second what Andy said. Dolor for dollar you can not beat the Canon 70-200 F4 L. It is hand holdable down to 1/125 of a second and sometimes lower and when you put a 1.4 on it you almost get a 300mm and it stil auto focuses fast. It sells for the same price as the Sigma.

[bubba zanetti]

Why would you buy a better camera and then move to an inferior position? If you want good pictures with your new great camera, and the 20D is a great camera, add a 16-35 f/2.8 and get back on the field.
Scott
Scott i was looking at your shots & recon your moon one is beautiful & sharp. What lens/settings did you use ?

Ta
Gus

[Saltstein]

I would appreciate general comments on a canon 100-300 5.6 lense? I have seen the lense for sale in my local camera shop. Would this be a good telephoto lense for what I want to do? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Saltstein