Few questions about lenses

Abyss

Abyss

Abyss

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,548
Location
Nottingham
I currently own the Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8 DC EX Lens. This is specifically designed for digital SLRs. Does this mean that the focal length when used on a 400D will be 18-50, or will I still have to multiply this by 1.6?

Secondly, I am thinking of purchasing a telephoto lens, possibly for trying some motorsport photograhy over the summer, and for generally just playing about. I've heard good things about the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, but at £370 it seems somewhat expensive. Can anyone reccommend any other lenses for the 400D, that will compliment my Sigma 18-50? I really don't know how much I want to spend, but take the £370 of the canon as my highest budget.

Bear in mind the lens is more to play about with, so I'm not 100% sure I want to spend £300 odd on one.

Finally, will it be a problem having a focal length gap between the Sigma and the telephoto, or should it not be too much of a problem? I did consider perhaps a 55-200 or similar, but not sure it will be long enough for what I want?
 
You'll still have to multiply by 1.6 to get the focal length.

£370 isn't a particularly expensive lens - particularly not when you get IS and USM. Can't actually comment on the lens quality though as I've never used one.

I've not done motorsport photography but I'd guess 200mm isn't really long enough for it bearing in mind they keep you a fair distance away from the action for obvious safety reasons.

Canon do a 100-300 which is only around £220 I think. I got a 2nd hand one a while back I use every now and again. It's OK but not brilliant but then again it was cheap and I don't do a lot of photography in this range so it suited me to get it just to play with. It's probably OK for motorsport as long as you're out on a reasonably bright day.
 
£370 is very close to Canon 70-200mm f4 L money. You might be able to pick one up second hand for that. Excellent optics, probably one of the sharpest lesnses I've ever used.
 
Joe T said:
Sigma 70-300 APO is a good value option for things like motorsport.
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I think if your budget is max ~£300, and you want something at this stage just to play about with then go for this. I have seen a lot of good shots taken from it and I think I would suggest this. Would be way under the budget as well.

Scuzi said:
£370 is very close to Canon 70-200mm f4 L money. You might be able to pick one up second hand for that. Excellent optics, probably one of the sharpest lesnses I've ever used.
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I would completely agree with you Scuzi if he hadn't hinted at just wanting to play around. The 70-200 is not what I would describe as a mess around lens, however if he wanted to have one but didn't use it/want it he could always sell it at not much loss...they hold their value well.

Abyss -> I would go here:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras

Select a lens and view loads of sample images, see what people are most commonly shooting :)
 
Scuzi said:
£370 is very close to Canon 70-200mm f4 L money. You might be able to pick one up second hand for that. Excellent optics, probably one of the sharpest lesnses I've ever used.
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You can get it new in the UK for that if you know where to look.
 
ranarama said:
You'll still have to multiply by 1.6 to get the focal length.
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No, the focal length is still the same, it's the field of view which is different.
 
Cheers for all the advice, has given me a lot to think about! Would everyone reccommend me the Sigma 70-300 APO over the Canon 70-300mm? Also will it not be a problem that the Sigma has no IS? I do really like the idea of the £155 price tag of the Sigma though!

I might keep my eye out for a 70-200mm f4 L second hand. Can't justify the £430 price tag new though seeing as it still limits me to (the equivilant) of 300mm on 35mm.

This is realistically the only other lens I will be getting for quite some time, so I want to make sure I get as much versatility as possible :)
 
Abyss said:
I might keep my eye out for a 70-200mm f4 L second hand.
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If it's at all possible then that's your best option. I picked up a mint second hand copy a couple of weeks ago for £260, lucky but it shows it can be done.

The canon/sigma argument is long and inconclusive. Owners of both will swear by them, the sigma looks to be great value though. Remember you're not paying for the "big" name with the sigma and they do make some exceptional lenses.

I'm not totally convinced about IS for motorsports, it might be fine for trackdays but for the likes of motox, which I do mainly, by the time it's kicked in the shot is gone.
 
dod said:
No, the focal length is still the same, it's the field of view which is different.
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Well strictly speaking yes. However for practical use and without being a complete pedant what I said works for most people.

Having said that, if you stand in one spot and put a 160mm lens on a full frame camera and then stand in the same spot with a 100mm lens in a 1.6 crop camera you'll get the same picture. Only difference being you'll end up with a shallower DOF with the full frame.
 
Check out kerso on ebay, hes practically the cheapest UK supplier of canon lens. He is also almost always cheaper than a very well known hong kong online shop.
 
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