70-200 f4 L a good choice for horse show type work?

Jamey S. wrote in post #2179326
If you really want the faster lens, I would recommend it, take a look at the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM lens. Excellent lens. I tried both the 70-200mm f/2.8's from Sigma & Canon(non-IS) and the Canon 70-200mm f/4 and decided the f/4 wasn't gonna cut it but the f/2.8 Canon was too much, but the Sigma fit in the middle and performed just as well as the Canon.

I went through the same decision before I bought the sigma. I got a deal at a local shop, and was able to fully test it before buying.

There have been numerous times where even outdoors, the f/2.8 has been a huge success on a darker cloudy day. I don't like to bump the iso up too much, I really don't like noise at higher iso. For action shots, you can get away with bumping the iso up there at f/4, but the f/2.8 has been a huge success!

Borderfox wrote in post #2179535
Ps . No Sigma are not paying me...!

I think you are You were the one holding the Sigma lens in the Popular Photography Magazine Ad weren't you?

Image wise, the 400D would suit my needs fine. I have no doubt about that. Its just that for me, the handling is too small. I'd need to add the battery grip to it, and even then, its still on the small side in terms of the way my fingers curve around the grip. I knew this from handling them in the shop and it was doubly confirmed from my time on holiday.

To me, the 30D is a much better, bigger more solid feel to it. If I compare buying the 400D + grip against just the 30D body, then difference in price is small enough that i may as well get the more capable 30D and grow into it. I also think if the 30D is the body i want, then if I went for the 400D, then I'd always still be wanting the 30D.

If i were totally knew to photography, then it would be the 400D, but i have built up a fair understanding, so I think personally the 30D would be right entry point.


I'll look at the archive, thanks for the link. It certainly looks like the lens for me at the moment.

in an arena, you'll want for f/2.8... but all your pics seem to be outdoors, and the f4 is awesome outdoors.

I use a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 for various equestrian events etc. and IMO it's about the best range you can have for small to medium sized shows/rings if you have a crop body camera.
For a FF body you may need to stretch to 300mm.

I went to Hickstead last year, and found I just need a bit more reach for some of the jumps, but this about the biggest event i have had to cover so I just concentrated on what i could reach.
A 1.4x would be a useful addition to either the Canon or the Siggie, just for cases like this.

Here's a couple taken with my Sigma: The first at Hickstead last year and the second at a local 'young handlers' show earlier this year.

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Was just shooting showjumping today with the 1D classic and 70-200 Sigma. I was stopped down to f/4 and ISO 200 throughout, the light was just so dang bright. I was looking at shutter speeds at 1/2500 or higher too.

If you are working in daylight, and good daylight, f/4 is plenty. And the range on 1.3X crop is just nice. 1.6X crop will help your telephoto end but 70 may not be wide enough for certain situations. Or you could just stand further away.

If you are going with a f/4 lens. I say go with the Sigma EX 100-300mm. It's a great
lens. Just a little heavy.

I don't get paid by Sigma either, just love their lens.

CountryBoy wrote in post #2185087
If you are going with a f/4 lens. I say go with the Sigma EX 100-300mm. It's a great
lens. Just a little heavy.

I don't get paid by Sigma either, just love their lens.

I wish I did get paid by Sigma for using their lens and telling people about it

I agree about the 100-300 being a good lens (from what I've heard anyway) but the OP may find the 100mm end a bit 'long' on a crop body (160mm equivelent fov) I regularly use the 70mm end on mine, if you step back you get the ringside in shot.

This lens is fine for outdoor work, and the AF is extremely fast. However a 1 series camera with a 70-200 f/2.8 will focus a lot faster and more accurately with a higher rate of keepers. the issue is, do you get paid enough to spend the extra money?
If you are just a hobbyist, you'll be delighted with the 70-200 f/4.

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Many thanks for all the comments and feedback so far.

i think starting at 100 will be a bit too long on the 1.6 crop for my needs. the 70 -300 i have at the moment is a good balance for my needs on the full frame 35mm body i currently have. I'd say that the best photos are when the rider is a little further away from me as when they are going round the ring rather than when they pass close by ( as there are often other riders blocking the shot ).

Regarding the sigma 70-200 that some folk have recommended, when compared to the 2.8 Canon, its a very good price, but having a look round here and on other places, at 2.8, there is a lot of comments regarding its softness at 2.8, which rapidly clears when stopped down to f4. As exampled, in good light, another user stops down to f4 as well in good light, which realistically is when i'll be using the camera most too. ( i'm not likely to snapping away in the rain too much ).

Also having had a browse through the archive pictures, i have to say that the Bokeh on the Canon does seem to outshine the Sigma, or more to the point, of the photos posted, I noticed the Bokeh as a distraction more on the Sigma than on the Canon. I'll need to look more into that area too.

I think with likely hood of f4 being the predominant , then looking at the prices the Canon still comes in cheaper than the Sigma, then at the moment, i'm still leaning to the Canon, but its still useful to hear the comments and experiences.

thanks,

Don