Canon 70D/mid-level dslr & lenses for motorsport

[giger]

Fresh back from Le Mans after a play with a friends DSLR and i'm sold. I've been in to photography for years and have been trying to squeeze the best out of compact and bridge cameras by playing with shutter speed, aperture etc - now I need to step things up a notch. I don't want to spend a fortune, but the Canon 70D seems too good to ignore. As well as an everyday lens, I also need a nice fast zoom lens for motorsport and was thinking of the following:


http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-eos-70d-wi...
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-70-200m...

Appreciate that this is a bit of money, but I've been mucking about for long enough now, and don't want to buy another camera only to upgrade in a few years.

Incidentally, I've randomly picked on this company, but if there is better out there please feel free to send me some links.

Thoughts?

[bxacclaim]

I have the 70D with that kit (18-135) lens and it is excellent. I upgraded from a 5 or 6 year old EOS 40D and the image quality difference is noticeable. But, the old 40D blew any compact/bridge out of the water for speed and focus tracking, as I am sure you appreciate having used your friend's DSLR.

Unfortunately, I haven't used the 70-200 F4 L that you linked to, but I have extensively used the 100-400 L f4.5-5.6, which is an excellent lens, if you can get on with the trombone zooming motion! On the basis of that, I would say you won't be disappointed with the image quality of a Canon L, and the ring USM focusing is super-quick. I used my lens a lot for fast jet photography and it was superb.

Combining an L with the improved focusing of the 70D, I would imagine you would have a superb setup for motorsport/action photography.

The 70-300 (non-L) was a decent lens too, if you want extra reach at less than the cost of the 70-200 f4 L you mention. I had one before the 100-400 and felt the focusing was vastly better on the 100-400 L though.

One very good thing with Canon L lenses is the retained value, so you wouldn't suffer a huge value drop if you decided you wanted to move on from the 70-200 in years to come. I traded on a 24-105 L after a few years at a good price (70% of new cost) and due to currency fluctuations and inflation I could sell the 100-400 now for roughly what it cost me in 2007.

Good luck with your decision, and happy shooting....

[mrdemon]

yes buy it all

I also upgraded to the 70D it is amazing

the kit lens is a must have for film and is a good lens. no need for anything better imo

the zoom is also one of canons best 70-200 F4 L IS , and I also use the 300L f4 IS for motosport.

great combo.

ps go for the IS lens not just the L in the 70-200 model :-) it's far newer and sharper.

[giger]

Thanks both, sound like this is THE camera. Links to lenses appreciated (esp the 300mm) but isn't the IS double the price?!

[Janesy B]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/janesyb/sets

I've used my 70D for everything from the Lotus fest onwards; you'll probably find 200mm too short for motorsport. I rented a Sigma 120-300 f2.8 for an event and fell in love with it. Shame its neigh on 2 grand

Perhaps a Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD for £259would do the trick whilst you get used to everything? It's perfectly adequate for the job until you can afford something better. There seems to be quite a price jump from £300 zoom lenses to L quality lenses.

Edited by Janesy B on Friday 20th June 21:36

Edited by Janesy B on Friday 20th June 21:37

[GravelBen]

Go to a shop and handle/play with a few options (Canon and Nikon being the main contenders) before deciding, then pick the one at your price point that you like best in terms of how it feels in the hand.

[giger]

Fair points all, and I think at the back of my mind I thought the 200mm might not be good enough, I think I didn't want to accept that I might need a 4 figure lens. My fuji HS20 bridge cam goes to 30x optical and I have got rather used to having such zoom range

[LC2]

200mm is a bit short for Le Mans (probably for most circuits).
This was from grandstand 16 at 200mm...


But of course you can crop
This was taken from above the Dunlop Esses, at 250, but cropped

Toyota TS 040 Hybrid - LMP1 by timz2011, on Flickr
With a 70-200 F4 L, you would expect a crisper shot than I got with a cheap 18-250 Sigma.

Of course, if you find a better place to shoot from (this was the hole in the fence by the Ford Chicane, then you don't need the full length, so things will be a bit better on a cheap lens (still cropped though)

Porsche 919 Hybrids - LMP1 by timz2011, on Flickr

Keep in mind that if you are panning, you don't want IS turned on, so the 70-200 F4 L can be had for as little as £400. That's where I'm going for my next lens.

[bobs4c]

An option would be to go for the non IS 70-200mm and buy a 1.4 extender for when you need more reach - cheaper than the IS lens. For interest, I have the 70-200 f4 IS, but would be happy with a non IS for motorsport. The IS is handy for other subjects.

It is up to you whether to buy from overseas, but I wouldn't, just because of the potential issues you may have. Jessop's have some cashback deals at the moment!

Bob

[RobDickinson]

The 70d is a decent camera, also consider the 7d, its a bit older (5 years now???!!!) but has faster fps bigger buffer, better AF system ( a little) and better viewfinder. Its not as good for video though.


The 70-200f4L IS, and all canons 70-200's are absolute quality. But I think you may want more reach , the 100-400L or the 70-300L are good alternatives.

[bobs4c]

RobDickinson said:

The 70d is a decent camera, also consider the 7d, its a bit older (5 years now???!!!) but has faster fps bigger buffer, better AF system ( a little) and better viewfinder. Its not as good for video though.


The 70-200f4L IS, and all canons 70-200's are absolute quality. But I think you may want more reach , the 100-400L or the 70-300L are good alternatives.

I went for the 7D this year, old yes, and I bought a used one - just seemed a better camera for motorsport because of what you've stated:. It handled nicely and very similar to my old 40D. The 100-400L is really good - bought that used about 3 years ago.

Bob

[giger]

I think this is going to get expensive! My kit lens will be IS, for my long reach zoom for Motorsport it sounds like I don't need IS, can someone provide links to suitable lenses so that I can take a look? I'm wondering if it is with hiring one so that I can see what it is like?

Recommendations from good places to buy from also greatly received

[bobs4c]

I've hired lenses from LensForHire.co.uk certainly gives you the opportunity to try one out before spending lots of money.

Bob

[outnumbered]

giger said:

I think this is going to get expensive! My kit lens will be IS, for my long reach zoom for Motorsport it sounds like I don't need IS, can someone provide links to suitable lenses so that I can take a look? I'm wondering if it is with hiring one so that I can see what it is like?

Recommendations from good places to buy from also greatly received

I bought my 100-400 used from http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/ . They were good to deal with and seemed to have a good stock turnover. it didn't take long at all to find the lens I wanted. The 100-400 has IS, which I find useful - it's got a panning IS mode as well as the normal mode.

[giger]

Just been looking on their site - are second hand lenses the way to go?! This is a new concept for me. I'm also thinking I'm going to need a 400mm (or there abouts) for Le Mans and other motorsport. I'm confused about what to buy. Might just go with the kit lens for now and then worry about the 'big' lens. Tempted to try and get John Lewis to price match with somewhere - their 3 year accidental damage warranty for £50 is appealing )

[outnumbered]

giger said:

Just been looking on their site - are second hand lenses the way to go?! This is a new concept for me. I'm also thinking I'm going to need a 400mm (or there abouts) for Le Mans and other motorsport. I'm confused about what to buy. Might just go with the kit lens for now and then worry about the 'big' lens. Tempted to try and get John Lewis to price match with somewhere - their 3 year accidental damage warranty for £50 is appealing )

2nd hand is "a" way to go, certainly, not sure about "the" way For me, the 100-400 was a bit of an indulgence as I only use it a few times a year, so felt it was hard to justify the brand new price.

[nellyleelephant]

I use a 500 on my 5D3 at Silverstone and I've not found I need more length. With a 70D, you may find 300 mm is enough.....not that this makes the lens much cheaper of course!

[PGD5]

I'd say 100-400mm is the best option for Motorsport, and don't be put off by a good second hand lens.

I've just got myself a used 70-200 and its fantastic (inc used with the 1.4 extender) - but a bit more reach for motorsport would be nice at times

[RobDickinson]

The 100-400 is a lens that gets a lot of stick.

Imo this is mostly because people don't have good long lens technique, 400 on a crop is a lot if reach if you are only used to 200.also they put filters on them and that ruins them.

Used is a great way to go but, half my gear is used.

[nellyleelephant]

The push pull zoom gets loads of negative press, don't know why. When I had mine, I thought that was one of its best features. Once you get used to it, it's quicker than a normal zoom.