Motorsports photography : which Canon Lens to begin

Renting is a very good idea. The big thing you need here is versatility & a fast AF system in the lens. If choosing a longer lens like the Canon 100-400 vs others the limiter switch speeds things up when compared to a lens which travels the full range of it's focusing system before starting back in the other direction. I've shot the Sigma 80-400 OS, 50-500 non OS & the Canon 100-400 L IS & it clearly won the battle re AF speed / accuracy when shooting fast moving targets. I have also used the Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS (ver 1) but it was a bit short on the long end but was more than up to the task. I haven't ever tried shooting action through a TC so can't comment on that.

EDITED to add

You also want to verify that whatever lens you think might fit your budget has an IS (VC, VR, OS) mode for panning. Some lenses need the stabilizer turned off for panning & if you don't do that the images will be soft.

Unfortunately, I rent the bad lense : Canon 300mm 2.8 IS... It' s obviously hard to try the 70-200 even with a TC.

For now, your advices give me a lot a idea but as it is my first lens to shoot at least 10 motorcycles events I don't want to make a mistake.

Bad lense?

Yeah, a bad lense to test professional lenses, how buy a 70-200mm 2.8 (or f4) after trying this one !

70-200 must not be professional I guess. Still I am confused.

Sorry for that .
I'am just trying to say that the only lens I rent was the 300mm. It gave me the taste of what I'am looking for... But no money for that yet. So I have to find another solution 70-200, 10-400 and so on. I tested the 70-200 with the 1.4TC and sometime it is too short, 300 is perfect. With the TC... It's a dream.

And what were you shooting & for how long? The 300 f2.8 L (IS) can get pretty heavy after a while. You're going to have a learning curve when it comes to shooting action with a long lens, and depending on whether you intend to shoot hand held, from a monopod or tripod you'll be experimenting for a few events just learning what works for you. Don't get hung up searching for the sharpest lens until you can pan perfectly with a long lens.

My 7D & 70-300L works great at MotoGP, Lemans, and F1 races. Last year my 2nd lens was a 400 DO, but I'm going to give the new Tamron 150-600 a shot as the "long" lens this season. We'll see what happens.

I also have a 70-200 2.8 MKII, but from a size/weight standpoint, I find the 70-300L a better fit for the track. Less time fiddling with TC's and risking dust in the camera.

If you want a long prime, consider the 400mm 5.6L. It'll be the lens I'll go back to if the Tamron doesn't work out this year.

Again many thanks for the info.

Just little one : how about sigma 120-300 2.8 (non OS) + TC 1.4 (if needed) ?

Thanks !

The Sigma 100-300/4 would be better. Lots of repair issues with the older 120-300.

gasrocks wrote in post #16731608
The Sigma 100-300/4 would be better. Lots of repair issues with the older 120-300.

Even with the TC ?

gasrocks wrote in post #16731608
The Sigma 100-300/4 would be better. Lots of repair issues with the older 120-300.

I had one of the Sigma 120-200 f/2.8s for years, and never had an issue with it. Tack sharp, fast, reliable- loved that lens.

There are many good lenses that would be very useful for the kind of shooting you want to do:
100-400mm
55-250mm
300mm f4
70-300mm
70-200mm
Sigma 50-150mm


Honestly, it doesn't really matter which one of these lenses you choose. The important thing is for you to get out and start shooting. Until you get a lot of actual experience shooting motorsports, you will not know which lens is best for your style and the venues you shoot at.

We cannot tell you what will be the very best lens. You can't even figure it out yourself until after you have a lot of experience. You've just got to get out there and shoot a lot, then you'll start to get a feel for what speed/focal lengths are best for you.

You're overthinking this. That Sigma is HEAVY & to get good results all day long will require a tripod & gimbal head. If you've got enough money to consider it then go with the more popular lenses already recommended & put some money towards a body designed for sports. Once you've shot for a full season you might have a better idea of what works at the tracks you get to shoot.

I read th 70-200 listed few times, it might seem obvious but I would really say "it depends on the track". (Toto l'asticot: Nevers Magny-Cours or Circuit Carole!)

Well I am myself motorbike racing on GP tracks, and I take pictures of my friends when I am in between 2 runs: I can say if you don't have a special access, a 70-200 + TC 1.4 on FF is really a bit short...I am planning to buy a 400 maybe for that.

Now if you are on a non GP track (2-3 Kms long), you can maybe stay by a track marshall in a curve and then a 200 could do the job.

EDIT: I mention non GP tracks because, they are not as wide, the gravel escapes outside the curves are smaller, so from the other side of the fence/tyres you will always be closer to the racers than on a GP track.