Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM or Sigma 70-300mm APO DG?

[larryb]

Hi

I have a Canon 30D and I am looking to buy a new lens to give me some additional length and for taking occasional motorsport photographs (I already have Canon 60mm prime and 17-85mm IS USM zoom).

I am considering either a Sigma 70-300mm APO DG F4-5.6 (£155) or a Canon 70-300mm IS USM F4-5.6 (£350) but am unsure whether the more expensive Canon lens will be better?

Has anybody had experience of either lenses and do you think they will be any good for motorsport photography?

I will be grateful for any guidance/feedback.

Thanks

Larry

[Podie]

Got the Canon, and it's a nice lens, but probably a tad slow for motorsport photgraphy IMO.

[havoc]

Podie said:

Got the Canon, and it's a nice lens, but probably a tad slow for motorsport photgraphy IMO.

I've not had any real problems with mine, except for user-error.

Very nice lens, and the IS does come in handy every so often when you're hand-holding. But £200 better? Dunno, as not used the other one...

[Podie]

havoc said:

Podie said:

Got the Canon, and it's a nice lens, but probably a tad slow for motorsport photgraphy IMO.

I've not had any real problems with mine, except for user-error.

Very nice lens, and the IS does come in handy every so often when you're hand-holding. But £200 better? Dunno, as not used the other one...

I love the lens, but personally think it's a bit slow for fast moving cars.

[sjj84]

I have the sigma lense you are talking about. I've only just got into photography so couldn't really tell you if it's good or not in comparison to anything else. It can be bought for £110 delivered from here:
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_inf...

[agent006]

Slow in what way? It has the same Max apperture as the Sigma. I have the Canon too and have taken some excellent shots with it. Image quality is almost on a par with my 24-105L.

[Podie]

agent006 said:

Slow in what way? It has the same Max apperture as the Sigma. I have the Canon too and have taken some excellent shots with it. Image quality is almost on a par with my 24-105L.

IMO it's slow to focus. My 28-105 II is considerably quicker (for example). I appreciate it's not in the same league, but the 70-200 2.8 IS and 100-400 blow it out of the water.

I'm not debating it takes great shots, in fact I think it's a great lens. What I'm saying is that I'm not 100% convinced it's a great motorsport lens.

Not tried the Sigma, so can't comment.

[larryb]

Hi All - Thanks for your responses.

In summary (so far!).....the Canon is a good lens, but the speed of focus may be an issue for motorsport?

Podie - Are the two lenses you refer to (70-200mm & 100-400mm) 'L' series lenses? Would you choose these for motorsport photography?

Cheers

Larry

[Gingerbread Man]

I had the Sigma. Sold it to a friend and brought the Canon. You'd think I could give you a great review, but with my banging head ache and Xmas cough I can't remember a thing about them.

Helpful hey? David

[JackGTA]

I've got the Sigma, I'm happy with it on my 350d. Here's an example if it helps:



I have struggled with it in poor light though...

[DanH]

Podie said:

agent006 said:

Slow in what way? It has the same Max apperture as the Sigma. I have the Canon too and have taken some excellent shots with it. Image quality is almost on a par with my 24-105L.

IMO it's slow to focus. My 28-105 II is considerably quicker (for example). I appreciate it's not in the same league, but the 70-200 2.8 IS and 100-400 blow it out of the water.

I'm not debating it takes great shots, in fact I think it's a great lens. What I'm saying is that I'm not 100% convinced it's a great motorsport lens.

Not tried the Sigma, so can't comment.

Given that cars travel on predictable paths, surely you just pre-focus and thus it's a bit irrelevant? Comparing it to lenses costing 10x as much is a tad unfair!

[agent006]

I found it slow on my old D30 but on the 1d it's not an issue. Fucussing speed is as much the camera as the lens.

[V6GTO]

I'm with Dan on that one.

If it were my choice I'd take the Sigma and buy a decent mono-pod with the difference.

Martin.

[Podie]

DanH said:

Podie said:

agent006 said:

Slow in what way? It has the same Max apperture as the Sigma. I have the Canon too and have taken some excellent shots with it. Image quality is almost on a par with my 24-105L.

IMO it's slow to focus. My 28-105 II is considerably quicker (for example). I appreciate it's not in the same league, but the 70-200 2.8 IS and 100-400 blow it out of the water.

I'm not debating it takes great shots, in fact I think it's a great lens. What I'm saying is that I'm not 100% convinced it's a great motorsport lens.

Not tried the Sigma, so can't comment.

Given that cars travel on predictable paths, surely you just pre-focus and thus it's a bit irrelevant? Comparing it to lenses costing 10x as much is a tad unfair!

I noted that the latter two lenses were not a fair comparison.

[Gingerbread Man]

Right, feeling better now.

I have a few pictures taken with the Canon. I use for all motorsport; rallys, BTCC, track days, Le Mans, you name it.












I quite like it, but I can't compare it with an L quality lens. So based on this, what people say about it being slow could well be true but I've no bones to pick.


David

[flat-planedCrank]

Another vote for the Canon 70-300 here
Its got some UD elements in its make-up, that's probably why it punches out of its price bracket

The downside would be the lack of some L series features -
Micro rather than Ring USM.
No full-time manual focusing.
Rotating from element.
Extends when zooming.
Smaller aperture at full zoom.

On the upside, its cheaper than L series tele-zooms (ok, only slightly less then the 70-200 f4 but it has IS and an extra 100mm of zoom).

I'm very happy with mine

Some examples:









Cheers.

[DanH]

V6GTO said:

I'm with Dan on that one.

If it were my choice I'd take the Sigma and buy a decent mono-pod with the difference.

Martin.

I really like VR/IS so I reckon that might be worth springing for? Also second hand value of OEM lenses etc should hold up better I'd think? (not that I have anything against sigma, I have their 10-20mm and like it - build quality is fine imho).

[BigMansZetec]

I have the Sigma (thanks Mr Gingerbread Man), and have had some decent results with it. Perfect begginer lens, and I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

Heres a few examples:

[V6GTO]

flat-planedCrank said:

[

Dan...is that you?

Martin.

[DanH]

V6GTO said:

flat-planedCrank said:

[

Dan...is that you?

Martin.

I hope not as the front decals are at an angle! Always interesting to see the colour of the decals on the blue cars in pics - I think they are out of gamut so never look right.