Canon 70-300 IS USM... a worthy replacement for

Braeden

Braeden

Braeden

Associate
Joined
15 Feb 2003
Posts
853
Location
West Yorkshire
My Sigma 70-300 APO DG?

The main difference on paper is IS (which I really want seeing as my hands shake like a leaf most of the time) but is there a reason to change optically?

I am wanting a zoom lens of around 300mm mainly for trackside at motorsport events (and mode 2 of the IS lets you pan without messing up the IS) but also for wildlife etc.

I know the canon won't be any faster, but will it be any better?

My budget is £400 for the lens so it's not L glass territory I'm afraid :-(
 
For the money I would go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX. Far superior optics to the 70-300.

You will loose 100mm off the long end though, but quality wise you are streets ahead with the sigma.
 
Some useful links for you:

I'd say it's close call between the F4L and 70-300IS, going with the latter you get 90% of the quality in the mid-range focal lengths perhaps compromising on a bit of overall contrast though. You get 100mm more and IS, however, the build quality between lenses are worlds apart (so I've heard).

Remember there's no hood included. I paid £430 for my L (with cashback) and that included a hood and filter.

Useful reviews:

70-300 CanonIS:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/index.htm

Sigma 70-300
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70300_456/index.htm

You'll get much better edge performance at longer focal lengths if you upgrade, probably faster AF too.
 
morgan said:
For the money I would go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX. Far superior optics to the 70-300.

You will loose 100mm off the long end though, but quality wise you are streets ahead with the sigma.
Click to expand...

The sigma you quote is just under £600, and I can't stretch that far I'm afraid

The canon lens is £412 inc lens hood, Hoya HMC UV filter and next day delivery - that I can afford.
 
Sleepyd said:
Remember there's no hood included. I paid £430 for my L (with cashback) and that included a hood and filter.
Click to expand...

I can't find an L glass lens with 300mm focal length for that money... Am I missing something? Ahh of course you are talking about your 70-200.

Another question then, is a 200mm lens long enough for motorsport/track day events? I would have thought it was a touch too short even with the 1.6 crop factor
 
Check out the DPreview forums about the 70-300mm, there have been many reported problems with the 70-300 IS and it's operation in portrait mode.

I have been through the same decision as you recently and opted for the 70-200mm F/4 L, it arrived a couple of days ago and I love it.

I have also ordered a Kenko 1.4 DG pro 300 TC from the bay, and they work beautifully together.

Regards

Al
 
Braeden said:
Another question then, is a 200mm lens long enough for motorsport/track day events? I would have thought it was a touch too short even with the 1.6 crop factor
Click to expand...

Where are you going to watch events with your lens? I have the 70-200 F/4 L and I believe it to be superb on tracks like Donington, Mallory Park, Brands, Croft and all the rest of the 'national' tracks in the UK. I went to Mallory Park and I found I had about twice as much zoom as I needed and will be testing it at Donington this weekend, I reckon if I play my cards right and shoot in the correct places I won't have any problems :)

However at Silverstone I will freely admit this is going to struggle, a 1.4x teleconvertor will prove invaluable if you have a 200mm lens, with the 1.6x crop factor added in as well you are getting up to 400mm viewable which is more than enough!! (IMO)

The 70-300 and 70-200 are both trade-offs as they are similarly priced...the 300 gives you more focal but will not be near the 200 for build and potential optical quality. (Also, just how fast does this thing focus!) The 200 is also a faster, slightly wider lens. I cannot tell you which for sure you should get, we keep seeing time and time again great shots taken with both lenses.

The 70-200 can be had for under £400 secondhand and in warranty, because thats how much I paid for mine.

The choice is yours, go with your gut instinct and you won't get a bad purchase whichever you go for.

Tom
 
Leigh said:
The place i know of sells the Sigma 70-200 for £465, so its still outside the OP's budget. 200mm is likely to be to short for motor sport anyhow.
Click to expand...

Like others have said it all depends on the track. For Silverstone you probably would benefit a little from over 200mm but for Thruxton & Brands 200mm is absolutely fine. In fact when I go to brands I sometimes find 70mm isnt wide enough and have to turn to my 18-70 lens just to fit the cars in the frame!
 
well the track in question for this particular weekend is Donnington for the superbikes next weekend.

the question is fairly moot as the canon lens I was after seems to be out of stock and one retailer in particular told me of a backlog of a few weeks.

since I wanted it for next Friday I seem to be out of luck, and I really can't justify spending any more money - as much as I want to :(
 
Superbikes will be good at Donington, don't worry though just wait a bit and go see them at Mallory Park instead with new lens in-toe...Mallory Park is near Leicester by the way.

I imagine its going to be pretty crowded at Donno come Sunday.
 
I'm going to Donny anyway as I already have full weekend tickets, I will just be using my current sigma lens instead of the better (in my opinion) canon.

Hmm Mallory park... hadn't thought of going there :)
 
i have one

119876684_4928e62fe1_o.jpg


99849763_365e890bb8_o.jpg


89666300_9240bdd207_o.jpg
 
thanks SDK - I would if there wasn't a backlog but I wanted/needed it for next Friday.

I may save a while longer and maybe get something better if I can. I'm not sure when my next visit to a motorsport venue after this will be and its unlikely I will use it before then... whenever it will be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom