New Canon zoom lens, which one?! 100-400L or Sigma 50-500?

[alistair1234]

Currently have a Canon 600D which will shortly be replaced with a 7D or 70D, also looking to replace my 70-300mm USM with a new longer and 'better' lens.

Mostly used for motorsport photography at places like oulton park and silverstone. I went to Silverstone for the WEC last weekend and found it to be just a bit too short in some places and very slow.

Think I've narrowed it down to the two above.

Canon 100-400L

SIgma 50-500

I've discounted the 70-200L f2.8 Canon and Sigma as they don't offer enough distance. Same with the 70-300L.

Same with the Sigma 150-500, not short enough.

Is there anything else I should consider?

[RobDickinson]

The canon is great. Tbh that's the one to go for.

The new 150-600 tamron is good but autofocus tracking is suspect.

[jurbie]

I shoot motorsport with a 70D and a Sigma 50-500 and I don't have a problem, just try and avoid shooting wide open, f8 seems to be it's sweetspot.

Here are some shots from a dull and overcast weekend at Silverstone, all shot through the fence.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwbphotog/sets/72157...

Here's a sunny Oulton Park from Monday, these were trackside but it hardly makes a difference at Oulton.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwbphotog/sets/72157...

Here are a couple of 100% crops

1/800, f8, ISO 100,500mm, 250meters and through a fence 12meters away.

1/320, F8, ISO 100, 363mm,

Edited by jurbie on Tuesday 22 April 22:45

[RobDickinson]

Note the sigma 50-500 is a much better lens than the 150-500

[alistair1234]

jurbie said:

I shoot motorsport with a 70D and a Sigma 50-500 and I don't have a problem, just try and avoid shooting wide open, f8 seems to be it's sweetspot.

Here are some shots from a dull and overcast weekend at Silverstone, all shot through the fence.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwbphotog/sets/72157...

Here's a sunny Oulton Park from Monday, these were trackside but it hardly makes a difference at Oulton.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwbphotog/sets/72157...

Here are a couple of 100% crops

1/800, f8, ISO 100,500mm, 250meters and through a fence 12meters away.

1/320, F8, ISO 100, 363mm,

Edited by jurbie on Tuesday 22 April 22:45

I've already seen those, I'm a follower on Flickr I can't believe they are shot through a fence! 70D + 50-500 might be the right one for me then.

The advantage of the 50-500mm is also that it would be useful at the WRC in Wales, whereas the 100-400 might be a little long.

Just out of interest, if you compared the 100-400 range of the 50-500 against the 100-400L, how do they compare?

[jurbie]

alistair1234 said:

Just out of interest, if you compared the 100-400 range of the 50-500 against the 100-400L, how do they compare?

No idea as I've never used a 100-400L.