pratley

Not sure wether this is the right place to ask this or not but i need some advice on buying a new lens for my canon 400d. I want a new zoom for track day and motorsport photography and cant decide which lens to go for!
I cant decide on the sigma 50-500 or the 135-400?
Just wanted to know wether anyone on here has any experiance with either of the lenses. Im not sure wether the 500mm lens will be too much and the shear size of the thing will make it difficult to photograph motor racing.
Or as i have already got 70-300 will it be a bit pointless getting a 400mm?
Or(sorry) is there any other options out there such as different lenses and what people use when they photograph at track days.

Thanx

RSwagoneer

Hi there,

I'm not that much into the Canon stuff as a Nikonian, but I will give it a try.
The Sigma 50-500 or Bigma as people tend to name it is a fine lens but a bit slow on the AF speed. The Sigma 120-300 seems to be good for track use or the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Combined with a 1.4 teleconverter you get a fine combo.
Keeping it with the Canon range the 70-200 f4 is ok but the 70-200 IS f2.8 is top gear ( but it comes at a steep pricetag...).

Grtz

Bryan

Moonie

PM 'bezo' on this board mate, hes into his cameras and im sure will be able to give you some advice.

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Hi,
The lens you opt for will be decided by the access you have to the tracks you intend to work at. I am quite into my photography and have done all my trackside stuff so far on my Canon F4 L series 70 -200 or my 70 - 300 IS.

Not filling the frame isnt as important as lens quality and being able to select the required apperture and shutter speed on overcast days IMO as you can easily crop the picture later as you have a nice high resolution camera there, so my advice is to buy quality over focal length every time.

I am looking to buy the 70 - 200 F2.8 IS soon so may sell both of the above lenses at a decent discount.

Some pics taken with the above lenses... The Nurburgring ones were taken on the uphill section after showboat, so im guessing about 150ft away.












More here: http://www.stewartsanderson.com

Adrian

These http://www.flickr.com/photos/adebarb...7604057390820/

They were taken using a 400D with a Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens

These are just lo-res

Some hi-res are here : http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adrian.barber69 download the NathR.jpg file, rename it to a RAR or ZIP and you should have 14 pics, I think, of NathR's FRS.

Pictures were taken on sport mode.

pratley

Well thanks for all the advice and great pictures by the way. I just bought a sigma 135-400 f/4.5-5.6 DG. Should be here tomorow and im off to Brands hatch on the 30th to watch the British touring cars so will get plenty of pics with it.
Once ive sold my shonky Fiesta i may invest in a pukka L series lens but unfortunately funds dont allow at the moment and would also like a 15mm fisheye!
Also what photo editing programs do people use as im thinking of getting Paintshop pro after hearing good things and at how simple it is to use, as i had Adobe CS2 and found it to difficult to use.
Thanx again.

cossiemen

Well, just like Adrian said; a 70-300mm lens will be just fine mate imho.

I'm using the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro for trackdays etc and i'm very pleased with it.

check out this website and see for yourself: http://pixel-peeper.com/

pratley

thats the other lens i have mate, 70-300 macro. havent used it much though!

pratley

Great pics buy the way, i just started puting some pictures on my photopic site!

Renton

I'm a magazine editor and couldn't have said it better myself!

Nice pics by the way Stu