Spec me a telephoto for Sports (and birds/planes etc.)

smr · 30 Mar 2015 at 11:09

Hi all,

So I've borrowed a 75-300 lens and now I want to get my own telephoto lens. A 400mm would be great, so it doesn't strictly have to be a 300 max. But I think I would want more than 200, so at least 300.

Which would you recommend for a budget of around £500? DSLR is a 700D, though I might upgrade to the 750D/760D when it comes out for the extra AF points (amongst the upgraded sensor, processor etc.).

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 10:10

Birds aren't really that important for me. Mostly sports, I live 15 min drive from Donington so I'd be shooting bikes and cars there now and then and other car events. Also a couple of F1 outings per year.

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 15:10

Combat squirrel said:
Tamron 150-600 is a better lens than the canon 100-400 Mk 1

Get that prices are just abit over 550/600 now if you can stretch

What makes it a better lens if you don't mind ?

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:27

Sounds good, will have a read up on it, I could stretch to it if it's a decent lens.

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:30

What about the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM? £569 new.

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 16:43

Combat squirrel said:
No its 'rubbish' and much older than the recent tamron 150-600/sigma 150-600 lenses, no point in buying old tech when the newer designs are out

ok thanks, also noticed it's FF only anyway.

smr · 1 Apr 2015 at 18:00

I was swooning for that Sports lens till I saw the price.

smr · 2 Apr 2015 at 10:15

D.P. said:
I'm in the same boat. It is sharper than the Tamorn at 600mm wide open, but not night and day. Similar with focus ability. The other thing is it is twice the weight.

However, Sigma upon seeing the Tamron copy deiced they need to have a similar lens so there is also a Sigma 150-600mm f/6.3 C, C for contemporary, vs S for Sports. Confusing.

The C version from the manufacturers MTF charts looks like it could be sharper than the Tamron version. It is slightly smaller, lighter and cheaper than the Tamron. However, there are no real review or tests of it yet, should be some soon.
Depending on when you want the lens it might be worth waiting to see how the Sigma C compares to the Tamron (or Sigma S).

ah right I see the Sigma C isn't even out yet...although I think the Tamron is actually cheaper. the cheapest pre-order price for the Sigma C is £899.

smr · 2 Apr 2015 at 11:54

Combat squirrel said:
Yeah the Tamron by far wins the price/performance, Tony here reviews all 3 big zoom lenses and says the Sigma is only a hair tad sharper and simply not worth it over the Tamron:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgurGidoSJs

Obviously the 100-400 mark 2 gets high praise but its zoom range is less and costs a hell of a lot more.

Personally I am going to buy the Tamron when I get the money

will check it out thx... that said the canon c is actually out and in stock, srs micro are selling it.

smr · 3 Apr 2015 at 11:03

fowler002 said:
Well looking on camera price buster it's just under £900, unless I'm looking at the wrong lens tho only one tamron 150-600 on there.

I think he means grey import.

smr · 3 Apr 2015 at 16:44

I think what I may do is buy some glass for Sports for now... and buy another lens for birds at a later date...

So, regarding motorsports, I've stumbled across the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM. I could make it within budget. Any thoughts~?

Doesn't seem to too bad !...

#3 Daniel Ricciardo In The Wet - Red Bull Racing RB10 by II AsH II, on Flickr

smr · 4 Apr 2015 at 22:44

jonneymendoza said:
i do?

and i am going to spa f1 this year and need a new lens

sorry to derail the thread but wanted to know if the new 100-400L is any good or if that siugma is still sharper and better?

Spa is so good. Love the place. You'll be able to take some great shots on the Kemmel Straight and on the hill near Pouhon, amongst many other great vantage points.