Got a Sigma 120-300; Need something shorter...

I'm currently using the heck out of my Sigma 120-300f2.8 . Have used it all Summer to shoot baseball, softball, soccer, and now Friday night HS football. In football, though, it's just too long, and I have to stand WAY back in the end zone to get the Red Zone action.

My question is: I am going to buy another body when the Canon rebate cuts in this coming weekend, and I'd like to buy a wider lens. I'm leaning toward the 70-200L f2.8, but am concerned the range is too similar to the 120-300 to make a big enough difference. I will be shooting HS basketball when it comes up and would like the newly-purchased lens to be able to help with the under-the-basket shots.

Any comments and opinions? Alternatives to the 70-200? Thinking about the 85 1.8 prime or a 24/28-70 f2.8 ...

Get a 5D. You need quality, fast zooms to cover the sports, right? I think the 1.6x crop factor is hurting you. A Canon 70-200/2.8 L IS would also be nice (once you get the 5D,) but I don't think it would be short enough compared to your 120-300 now. The new 24-105 comes to mind but is it fast enough?

The 5D's not on rebate, although going from the 350D to the 5D would give you a "shorter" lens right there (your 120-300's providing the coverage of a 190-480 on FF). I think you'll find that the low end of 70 mm is significantly better than the 120 mm of the Sigma on a 1.6x crop body, so a second 350D or a 20D and a 70-200 would be a nice combo. Whether it'd cost less than an unrebated 5D, I haven't checked. Offhand, I'd guess yes, with enough left over to think about the 85 f/1.8 (although it overlaps the 70-200, it's a good stop faster).

Interesting ideas. If I get a Mk II body (someday), it'll be the N, not the 5D. Whole the FF is cool, especially if I shot weddings or landscape, I'm mostly a sports shooter and the N loks like a better platform for this activity.

For the time being, it looks like the 70-200 f2.8 will be the one I get with the 20D. I can pick up the 85 1.8 for just a couple hundred more with the "Triple" rebate so this might also be added to my stable.

BTW, how will these rebates work? I saw someone posted a JPEG of the rebate form. Will these rebates be available at the various vendor sites, or on the Canon site? Will Dell honor the rebate PLUS the 15% off the 20D?

Thanks,

Dennis

It's a rebate. Once you've bought, you send the form, receipt(s) and box barcodes (with, ISTR, warranty card copies) to Canon. Then in a few short weeks/months/years (depending on who you listen to) they'll send you a nice check. The price you negotiate from your vendor doesn't enter into it at all.

Jon, no, no, of course I know what a rebate is. My questions were: where will the rebate be available, how will it be announced, and will any authorized Canon vendor recognize it?

It's a manufacturer's rebate, not a store rebate. The forms will be available from Canon even if your vendor doesn't supply them. As long as they're a recognized Canon dealer, Canon will honour the claim. They usually put something up on their web site, and B&H, for instance, will begin running the rebated price in their ads and on their web site. Whether Dell will publicise this too, I couldn't say.

70-200 would be a fine additional lens. That paired with the 70-200 is like pairing the 300 2.8 prime with that lens which is a great pair. Idealy you'd want one body with your 300 and one with your 70-200.

I wonder as well if 70mm will be short enough..
You may want to try one of the 24/28mm-70mm zooms insead of a 70-200mm ?

You can. The 70-200 will cover all the sports he listed. It has worked for me.

The 70-200 would be like using the 85 1.8 for bball. For me, now I got the 50 1.4 so if i need something shorter I use that and the 70-200 as my zoom.

Shot with the 70-200. Didn't really edit, but here's a baseline shot.

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I have the 85, and wouldn't trade it for anything... but I think on the baseline it will be a little long. I am going to go with a 50 1.4 next time out and see how that goes. I really prefer to stay wider then f2.0 in gyms unless it is strobed our our can flash. Good luck with it.