Lens Choice

[Dale]

I'm considering the purchase of either the Canon 300mm f/4 USM (not IS) or the Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3. The lens will be used for shooting hockey, figure skating and outdoor soccer. What lens would be better suited for the above mentioned use?

Thanks in adavance.

[jmublueduck]

for sports, buy the lens for speed (i.e. max aperture). i'd say the 300/4. you've already got a 70-200 2.8.

[SteveCliff]

Unless you can set the 50-500mm up on a tripod (or you have *very* steady hands) I would suggest that the Sigma would be too heavy for prolonged use. I've just bought the 50-500mm and I wouldn't want to hand hold it for very long!!! It's heavy!

Don't get me wrong though - the lens is excellent! Just produced an A3+ print off my Canon S9000 and have got a very acceptable result :)

Good luck with whichever you choose.

[Dale]

jmublueduck wrote:
for sports, buy the lens for speed (i.e. max aperture). i'd say the 300/4. you've already got a 70-200 2.8.

Thanks for the reply. In some of the older rinks I need more than 200mm and I think the 300/4 would be fast enough.

[Dale]

SteveCliff wrote:
Unless you can set the 50-500mm up on a tripod (or you have *very* steady hands) I would suggest that the Sigma would be too heavy for prolonged use. I've just bought the 50-500mm and I wouldn't want to hand hold it for very long!!! It's heavy!

Thanks for the reply. Whatever lens I get would be used with a monopod however the 50-500 may still be to heavy.

[robertwgross]

Dale wrote:
SteveCliff wrote:
Unless you can set the 50-500mm up on a tripod (or you have *very* steady hands) I would suggest that the Sigma would be too heavy for prolonged use. I've just bought the 50-500mm and I wouldn't want to hand hold it for very long!!! It's heavy!

Thanks for the reply. Whatever lens I get would be used with a monopod however the 50-500 may still be to heavy.

I bought the Sigma 170-500mm zoom. It has the lens hood and the case, but for the life of me I can't find the trailer. My left arm still aches, and my tripod is showing signs of stress fractures.

---Bob Gross---

[SteveCliff]

I bought the Sigma 170-500mm zoom. It has the lens hood and the case, but for the life of me I can't find the trailer. My left arm still aches, and my tripod is showing signs of stress fractures.


Did you not order yours with the special "tow/hitch bar" option ? :)