Motorsports lens

Hi all,

I want to have a nice lens for motorsports (zoom, and fast).. But for not to much money ( student :P )

Also i am quite a beginner so, i think i am in no need for USM right now... (those 2k + lenses)

I already looked around in some forums, webshops and such. And if found this lens: sigma 70-300 APO for 215€.

What u guys think about that lens, and/or can you guys just help me out.

Many thnx!

If it's the one with the red ring on the front element, it's a good lens. They also make a lesser quality (cheaper) one so be careful.
But it is perhaps not quite long enough for motor sports unless you are in a good position. also it is quite a slow lens ( the widest aperture at 300mm is 5.6 I think) so you might struggle to get good fast shutter speeds - you can always crank up the ISO, and worry about noise later
But these are good starter lenses so don't worry about the lens so much as getting out there and having a go.

Hello,

I like the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM for this. It's not crazy expensive.

Hi, I've just got a 70-200 f/4 - and while it's a great lens, 200mm is no where near long enough, IMO - unless you get a really good seat. You could stick a TC on but then the costs creep up. It's not expensive like a 2.8 IS but you could nearly get three sigmas for the same cash outlay, certainly here in the UK - £160 for the siggie and £480 for the Canon (approx)

I think you may be missunderstanding USM ?
USM (when used on a canon lens) mean 'ultrasonic motor' .There are several types of USM- the ring type used in the better lenses and the cheap type used in most consumer zooms.The ring type USM gives extremely fast focus -which is exactly what you need for motorsport

There is only one lens that gives you all the features you need -low cost,good optics and fast focus - and that is the canon 100-300usm
It is costs abit more than the sigma Apo but you will get a much greater percentage of in-focus shots with the canon.
You can still use the sigma of course,it is a good lens.It's just that it's not quite so well suited for subjects that need fast focusing

For the price I would try the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro.
For the IQ the Canon 70-200 f4 L.
For the price and IQ the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX.
And get a 1.4xTC.

Why are you sitting in the stands?!?

Well i also thought about trying this lens, though the price got me a little bit thinking..

Also checked out the 100-400 L USM IS ... but i really dont want to spend so much money on a lens (€1455), i think d1pst1ck i'snt really looking for 200mm max, 300mm+ i think.

Like ron chappel said :

For "only" about €90 more i would take the canon 100-300 USM... fast focus is a must for me, for motorsports too like mentioned above.

So try to save more money and have a look for the C 100-300 USM d1p...

Btw guys whats up with the Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 USM III ?? cost less, why ?

Greets,
D3.

I know several people using the Sigma 100-300 F4 for motorsports with great results.
Andy

I agree, 200mm just doesn't have enough reach for most motorsports action.

The 75-300 models are cheaper lenses.One of them has USM focus but even that is the cheaper,slower type (faster than the sigma but a fair bit slower than the 100-300 model) . Most importantly the 75-300 models are very soft at 300mm- basically to the point of being unusable for most enthusiasts
Yes the sigma Apo and canon 100-300usm also get softer towards the long end but they are sharp enough that they are usable to most people

Ron is right, he was the one that helped me with my first telephoto lens. I agree, the 100-300 is the best for the situation, its USM is really fast (almost L quality). Its a very good lens, and I got a deal on mine for $70 on an intown deal. Get the canon 100-300, also I've heard good things about the 100-300 f4 Sigma, but thats also $800. Get the canon.

Oh and the big question really is...
What sort of motorsport are you looking at photographing?

Are you able to get close (200mm range) or not.

The original lens quoted was Sigma 70-300. I have one myself, although not too great, for it's price it's good, and is better than the Canon 75-300/ 90-300 equivalents. It's only if you then spend about 3 times more, you'll find the next step up being the 70-200 L or Sigma 70-200 2.8.
Further up the scale you're with Canon 100-400L, Sigma 100-300 f4, Sigma 120-300 f2.8, and then primes, such as Canon 400 F5.6, Sigma 500 f4.5

Basically all depending on how much you wish to spend. I was happy with my Sigma 70-300 until I used the 100-400L. And then when I bough the 120-300, I thought the old 100-400L was a lightweight piece of junk. (F2.8 makes so much difference)

Mostly car sports...!

All nice info thnx, i will look to that Canon 100-300 USM lens.

thnx forthe info!