Comparison of the Sigma 100-300 f4 and the 70-200f4

Afternoon Everyone!

I am slightly new to photography (at least with good equipment!) I am trying to compare these lenses for shooting rodeos, cattle shows, and general working ranch events. I wondering if I could get by with the 100-300 f4 on my Canon 50D for the moment, I absolutely will be investing in the 70-200 f4 in time!

Also, if you feel there is a lens out there that is better than the 100-300 f4 please let me know! I am up for any and all tips or words of advice!

I am strictly a hobbyist! I put my pictures up for any who want them, I just enjoy taking them since I am already at the event with the hubs!

buckaroophoto wrote in post #17488488
Afternoon Everyone!

I am slightly new to photography (at least with good equipment!) I am trying to compare these lenses for shooting rodeos, cattle shows, and general working ranch events. I wondering if I could get by with the 100-300 f4 on my Canon 50D for the moment, I absolutely will be investing in the 70-200 f4 in time!

Also, if you feel there is a lens out there that is better than the 100-300 f4 please let me know! I am up for any and all tips or words of advice!

I am strictly a hobbyist! I put my pictures up for any who want them, I just enjoy taking them since I am already at the event with the hubs!

Heya,

Do you have a budget?

The Sigma is a hit or miss lens frankly. Some copies are great. Some are not so great. The 70-200 F4's are something I'd lean more towards, as a used one goes for $400 pretty commonly and it's sharp wide open and very fast to focus.

It really comes down to what you're trying to do and from what distance. On a 50D, a 200mm lens should be plenty of a large animal at rodeo and general large livestock like that. You probably will have to back it up actually unless you're shooting from across the entire arena. If you're going for face shots and stuff, longer will work better of course. If you're down near the side lines this lens will do the trick nicely.

How is the lighting where you're doing this? Not all are outdoors, which is why I ask.

Depending on budget, I'd also consider a used 70-200 F2.8L (non-IS), as it's sharp, fast, and gets you another stop of light so less ISO is used to keep that shutter speed up. You'll want a shutter near 1/1000s minimum for fast moving mammals like that, maybe even faster during a spin or something, so every stop matters to relieve your camera's ISO. Plus a little more isolation of the subject from DOF doesn't hurt and is aesthetically nice.

Very best,

100-300 f4 should work fine for you...depending on the lighting and if f4 will be fast enough to get a fast shutter speed

i've never really seen anyone complain about the lens, i think it'll be hard to actually find one though

Thank you guys so much! I did find a 100-300 Sigma that I bought, waiting for it to arrive and excited to try it out!

As for lighting, my ranch rodeos are outside but livestock shows are typically in very large lighted arenas.

That's not a Sigma 100-300mm f4, it's a Sigma 100-300mm f4.5-6.7 ... the 2 lenses are like chalk and cheese.

The Sigma f4 is a superb lens, I have used one on both my Canon and Pentax kit and the results can be outstanding but the one you have pictured there is more of a budget consumer lens. It will no doubt give good results in the right hands but it's certainly not in the same league as either the 100-300mm f4 or the Canon 70-200mm f4.

That's what I get for not having much lens knowledge! I guess it will get me through until I can get the 70-200!!

You probably did not want the Sigma 100-300 F4 anyway.
Great lens but it's a big unit, more than double the weight of the Canon 70-200 F4 which weighs a lot more than the Sigma you bought.

Since you're saving for a 70 - 200 why not look at the Tamron or Sigma 70 - 200 f2.8

buckaroophoto wrote in post #17490299
That's what I get for not having much lens knowledge! I guess it will get me through until I can get the 70-200!!

I hate to say this, but I hope you are able to save up quickly. The Sigma 100-300mm f4.5-6.7 is one of the worst lenses ever. I was given one as a gift and, I must say, it isn't worth the price I paid for it.

Tim

I'll certainly be buying the 70-200 very quickly. I'll weight my options and read about the Tamron and the Sigma!

Do you guys have any advice on lenses for what I'm wanting? I'm finding it hard to find good, solid information about them. Mainly, I need a good point and shoot lens for everyday stuff then something like the 70-200 for rodeos and stock shows. Like I said, I won't be selling anything as I am strictly a hobbyist.

i'd look at a 55-250STM for a cheaper point and shoot type of situation...light weight go anywhere kind of lens...then you could look at a bigger 70-200 f2.8 for the rodeos

Fantastic! I was looking at the 55-250 and wasn't sure! Is there a good place to read and learn about different lenses?

buckaroophoto wrote in post #17491667
Fantastic! I was looking at the 55-250 and wasn't sure! Is there a good place to read and learn about different lenses?

You are here! You can search these forums for discussions.
I know of 3 different 55-250 Canon lenses:
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II

Also check lens sample threads, eg:
EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=1353​439&page=1

As for storms, it was quite scary! I am at a class for work and the tornado was only about 1/2 mile from us! My husband and father are both firefighters so they kept us well informed!

You guys are beyond helpful! I've been reading and soaking up as much information as humanly possible! I will be getting a 55-250 next week! It's just determining which brand!