long range zoom lense

[mindgam3]

Just got a 350D on order and i'm looking at getting a couple of lenses together.

First question: If i want IS, can I only get canon lenses?

Secondly: If so, for around £350, would the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS be the best way to go?

Any recommendations/suggestions?

Will be using it mainly for motorsport/track events

>> Edited by mindgam3 on Saturday 30th July 17:01

[monkeyhanger]

Sigma do an 80-400 OS (Optical Stabilisation) which is similar to Canon's IS, but at best it's twice your budget.

I'd suggest saving some more cash, and then looking at Either the Sigma 80-400, Sigma 50-500 or the Canon 100-400L IS.

I have a Sigma 135-400 (£300 ish) which is quite good, but will soon be going, probably in favour of a 100-400L IS

[mindgam3]

hmmm, i think £350 will be pretty much top of my budget for the moment; can't really justifying splashing out much more for a single lense just yet

On a side note, does anyone know if it costs or if you're allowed to spectate/take photos at track/test days? Particuarly silverstone and rockingham?

[monkeyhanger]

Never had a problem with track days.

I've seen images posted from the F1 tests at Silverstone plenty of times so i doubt there would be a problem.

>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Saturday 30th July 17:57

[HankScorpio]

It's venue, event and usage dependant.
You also have to get access, Goodwood is public and you can wander round taking what you like, MSV and others are private and you have to be signed in/accounted for (I'm usually in as a passenger or driver), usually fine for non commercial.

Very different story for commercial...

[GetCarter]

Never had a problem on track days at Silverstone or Rockingham. Brands get a bit shirty from time to time.

Ask the Track Day Organiser for clarification (then ignore what they say until they shout at you).

Steve

[lotusfan]

I've just got the sigma 170-500 for sports shooting, and ran over it two days after i'd got it. still working.

does seem to hunt quite a lot but gives good results. i've used it for cricket, rugby (league, not the chicks version they play down south) and football. all good results and into the local paper. The only down side is 170 is long at the lowest setting, anything closer than about 8 feet is not on! which can be an issue with some sports.
overall, its pretty good. nowhere near an canon IS but a good alternative. (incidentally my local shop has a 2nd hand 100-400 IS in for £700 but that isn't in my budget yet)

[M6RTG]

Do you mean the Canon EF 75-300 IS USM? If so, I have this lens and can post a couple of sample shots if that would help.

[Bee_Jay]

mindgam3 said:

On a side note, does anyone know if it costs or if you're allowed to spectate/take photos at track/test days? Particuarly silverstone and rockingham?

The best thing is to contact the organiser/promoter before-hand and ask. Helps if you have a website with examples on that you can point him at to prove that you know what you are doing. If you do this, they will rarely say no.

[mindgam3]

M6RTG said:

Do you mean the Canon EF 75-300 IS USM? If so, I have this lens and can post a couple of sample shots if that would help.

Yes, sorry, 75-300

Would be nice if you could, along with what camera they were taken with?

Cheers

[F1sh]

Dont forget that if you have just purchased the 350D, you will have also received a booklet of vouchers for Canon products. But they only list the 70-200 lens, sadly not a 300+ lens.

And the 650 quid offer is only on the products in the voucher booklet.

I am also looking for a bigger lens for my 20D, but cannot make my mind up which one to go for. Main use will be motorsport/trackdays. Fancy seeing if we can get a deal for buy 2 lens' at the same time?

Fish

>> Edited by F1sh on Monday 1st August 20:02

[monkeyhanger]

F1sh said:

Dont forget that if you have just purchased the 350D, you will have also received a booklet of vouchers for Canon products. But they only list the 70-200 lens, sadly not a 300+ lens. And the 650 quid offer is only on the products in the voucher booklet. I am also looking for a bigger lens for my 20D, but cannot make my mind up which one to go for. Main use will be motorsport/trackdays. Fancy seeing if we can get a deal for buy 2 lens' at the same time? Fish >> Edited by F1sh on Monday 1st August 20:02

If that's the 70-200 F4L, and you have a bit of cash to play with, then that lens with the Canon 1.4x Convertor is a cracking combination. A friend of mine has one and it's superb.

[M6RTG]

OK, these are a few pics taken with my EF 75-300 IS USM on a 20D at Fairford last month. Apologies for the photos not being of cars!! It was my first tryout of the lens, and I forgot to test the AI Servo mode of the 20D, but I still managed to get a focus lock 80% of the time. The USM motor certainly helps. They were all hand-held, and I had to move around quickly to get some of the shots, so a good test of the IS. All the images have been cropped in some way.

This one was taken at 100mm
[pic] www.mart-g.com/guest/Fairford05/_MG_3008b.jpg [/pic]

[pic] This one at 225mm
www.mart-g.com/guest/Fairford05/_MG_3150.jpg [/pic]

This one at 300mm
[pic] www.mart-g.com/guest/Fairford05/_MG_3265.jpg [/pic]

I hope you find these samples useful.

btw ... I would be interested in seeing samples from long L series lenses, if anyone has any.

[Bee_Jay]

If you want motorsport samples from the 100-400L, look here:

www.matabooboo.com - use the password "rock".

A large proportion of these were taken with the 100-400L.

Should have some of the World Powerboats up soon I took a couple of weeks ago with a polariser on the 100-400L.

Also, look here: www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_100-400_45-56l_is


>> Edited by Bee_Jay on Tuesday 2nd August 09:16

[Bee_Jay]

These were ALL taken with 100-400, full EXIF in gallery with each pic so you can see focal length, aperture etc.

All taken with a Hoya Pro1 Circular Polariser on.

www.pbase.com/baguleys/worldpowerboats

[Ian_H]

I have a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM complete with lens hood for sale if anybody is interested




Cheers
Ian

[F1sh]

Ian, mail me a price.

[e-mail]

Thanks
Fish

[mindgam3]

Ian_H said:

I have a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM complete with lens hood for sale if anybody is interested Cheers Ian

Wouldn't mind knowing what kinda price you were looking for it too

[Ian_H]

mindgam3 said:

Ian_H said: I have a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM complete with lens hood for sale if anybody is interested Cheers Ian Wouldn't mind knowing what kinda price you were looking for it too

As I said in my email to Dan I am looking for about £250 for the lens, it is in excellent condition as it
has had very little use since I bought my 70-200 f2.8Lis lens and 1.4 convertor, if you need to know anything else just ask or email me at [e-mail]


Cheers
Ian

[F1sh]

Ian, mail sent back to you. I'll take it.

Thanks
Fish