Canon 70-200mm f/4 VS Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8

First off I have a Canon T1i with the 18-55mm and 50-250mm kit lenses.

I'm going to the Atlantic City Airshow in 3 weeks, so it is time to buy a lens.

First off is 70mm to close to get pictures of planes flying over head? I can post a few pictures I took with a point and shoot to give you an idea. I ask because I am also looking to eventually get the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0

Second last time I was there it was VERY hazy, what filter would I use to correct this?

The BIG question....Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OR Canon 70-200mm f/4 L

I'm not sure if the Sigma has a stabilizer or not, but the Sigma is 48 ounces, while the Canon is 25 ounces. I am NOT looking for a lens which I need a tripod for.

Neither of those has image stabalisation.

IMO 200 is too short for an airshow. I shot one with a 120-300f2.8 and rarely used the wide end, wanted longer quite frequently.

Why not rent a 100-400L?

I dont want to rent because I want to buy and own a high quality lens that I could possibly bring to a college football game and use for many other things.


The airshow I am going to, they fly right over your head. You stand on the beach, the fly over head and about 100 yards off shore so you are very close.

Here are two pictures that show what I'm talking about,

(first one was of the practice so I wasn't on the beach)

Do you want pictures like you have above? I would think you would prefer one where the formation of planes fills the frame right?

I have pretty much then lenses you stated, except the sig 70-200, outdoors I would go for the canon 70-200L, it performs excellent...very, very sharp. If you need the f/2.8, then you need the sig, but you will be outside, get the Canon.....the Sigma 17-70 OS you said you were looking at, also a very nice lens....

FredM wrote in post #12822610
Do you want pictures like you have above? I would think you would prefer one where the formation of planes fills the frame right?

Well the pictures above where "wide open" with the point and shoot. I would like to get close, but not ridiculously close.

Is the $150 extra worth it for the f/2.8, if I were to ever take it to a college football game here I am actually very close?

200 is still not a lot of reach for field sports either...

f4 wil be fast enough for airshows and good daylight sports.

f2.8 is better for low light sport etc.

RobDickinson wrote in post #12822879
200 is still not a lot of reach for field sports either...

f4 wil be fast enough for airshows and good daylight sports.

f2.8 is better for low light sport etc.

But I'm wondering if there is a huge difference in quality between the two, especially since the Sigma almost weighs double.

I wouldn't want to get in the player's faces, but the student section at Penn State is right at the end zone and that is where I would want to take pictures.

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #12822863
Well the pictures above where "wide open" with the point and shoot. I would like to get close, but not ridiculously close.

The above shots would be about what you would see at 22mm with your T1i. You already have a 250mm zoom so you can go out and see what 70mm and 200mm looks like.

If I had your budget and intentions I would take a look at the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. More reach and higher quality than your 55-250mm, is cheaper and adds IS over the 70-200mm, and will be easier to carry to sporting events.

I would look to either of those instead of the Sigma.

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #12822925
But I'm wondering if there is a huge difference in quality between the two, especially since the Sigma almost weighs double.

Quality? The canon IMO is better built and USm is better than the HSM in the sigma, by a little.

Opticaly? The canon is probably better (just) but the sigma is f2.8, a stop faster than the canon.

If you dont need f2.8 then theres no point lugging the weight around

InfiniteGrim wrote in post #12822925
But I'm wondering if there is a huge difference in quality between the two, especially since the Sigma almost weighs double.

I wouldn't want to get in the player's faces, but the student section at Penn State is right at the end zone and that is where I would want to take pictures.

don't forget that the 70-200 used *directly on the sidelines* by photographers is considered their *wide lens* not their long lens

I don't know about the sigma but the canon is a great lens very very sharp, quick focus and light enough to carry around all day.Here's an example
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1015753

On an airshow, I doubt you need f/2.8, my suggestion is rent 100-400 which is long enough on yoir body.

Some photos with 500D and 70-200 F4 of Air Show at Toronto lake shore.