Which 70-200mm for Canon

[Nazbit]

Hi,

Over the winter I plan to be on the lookout for a 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

My main use will be motorsport and it will be used to compliment my Sigma 120-300 f2.8 (EX not sport). It will be used on my 7d and if I wanted to mount both at once I could also use it on my 5d mkii. I also have a Sigma 1.4x convertor.

I don't mind Canon or Sigma, I don't mind buying used. I'm not too fussed about IS/OS if I had it I'd probably find use for it from time to time but it's not essential.

I'm really interested in which lens has the best image quality and which offers the best value for money.

I believe these are the options and what I think are the current prices, let me know of you think otherwise.

Canon
70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM New: £1700 Used: £1200
70-200 f/2.8L IS USM New: N/a Used: £800
70-200 f/2.8L USM New: £975 Used: £750

Sigma
70-200 f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO New:£729 Used £550
70-200 f/2.8 II EX DG Macro HSM APO Used: £500
70-200 f/2.8 EX DG Macro HSM APO Used: £500
70-200 f/2.8 EX HSM APO Used: £400

What would you go for and why?

I think the consensus used to be that the non dg non macro Sigma was the best buy, but that's a pretty old lens now and I'm not up to date on what is current.

Thanks

 

[Nazbit]

Some other thoughts:

I'm aware that some of the old Sigmas have a poor quality external coating but I have that on my 120-300 and I don't mind if I'm getting the IQ.

I'd prefer f2.8 to f4 as I do use it on my 120-300. I know I'd be saving weight and some money with f4 but I wouldn't really be carrying it with me away from race circuits so it's not too much of an issue. Unless the f4 versions give better IQ overall which I doubt is the case.

In terms of budget, I could stretch to any of the above but I'm most interested in which you think offers the best value for money in terms of image quality. £500- £700 would be idea but up to £1000 may be possible if I can be convinced that it's worth it.

Looking forward to your suggestions, Thanks.

 

[Nazbit]

Thanks for all of the replies here they have given me a lot to think about.

I really enjoy my Sigma 120-300 f2.8 and so I was hoping that a 70-200 would have as good IQ and be cheaper than the Canon.

If the Canon IS mk2 is as good as everybody says then it would probably be false economy going for the Sigma as I'd probably end up upgrading later anyway.

Assume it would work with my Sigma 1.4 tele convertor but would it be harming the IQ? How does it fair with the Canon convertor?