Sigma Quandry

[th83]

I need help on which lens to go for. I am thinking of the APO 120-400 4.5-5.6 or the apo 70-200 F2.8 lens. What I want to do is a lot of wildlife and local stock care raceing photography and I have a champaign taste with a coolade budget. So this has to be a one shot deal for me. I guse what my question is here does anybody have inpu good bad or in differenton either lens choice for me. I have no way of trieng either lens before I buy it so the opinions of all my new friend on the site please help and enlighten me.

Thanks in advance.
Tom

[Mr. Pickles]

It is always hard to beat any of the 70-200 f/2.8 lenses for all they offer

[Songman45]

Its tough to out do a fixed maximum aperture.

[th83]

I kinda thought the same thing but I am looking for the best bang for the buck

[bogiesbad]

You might want to read this before you buy.

[th83]

Thanks for the headsup that gives me alot more to think about know.

[swampler]

I love my (Canon) 70-200 f/2.8 lens, but it is too short for wildlife. The 120-400 f/4-5.6 would be better focal length, but the lens is too slow for night sports, which is where most of my sports shooting falls.

So, in summary, if your stock car racing are day races, I would go for the 120-400 as that will also be better for wildlife. If they are night races, then the 70-200 f/2.8 and hope you are close enough.

Here's an example with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8L:


Model: Canon EOS 50D
ISO: 800
Exposure: 1/400 sec
Aperture: 3.2
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash Used: No

[zemlin]

I shoot Nikon and have an 80-200 which is a great lens. I also like to shoot wildlife, but don't have the budget for a big-boy lens - so I stretch this one a bit with a 1.4x TC. I have to be lucky and patient enough to get close, but it's paid off a few times. The IQ is good enough that I can crop fairly heavy and still have a good pic.

I like this combination because I can use it without the TC for sports.

[swampler]

Good point, Zemlin. I do have a 1.4x and 2.0x TC that I use as necessary.

[KmH]

I'm wanting one of those 80-200 f/2.8's in my kit. Soon. Soon.

[th83]

That canon lens is that is or not and also is that Bristol by chance

[swampler]

Originally Posted by th83

That canon lens is that is or not and also is that Bristol by chance

If you're referring to my post, the lens is not IS and it is Nashville, not Bristol.

[th83]

Very nice was that with a tripod or hand held and were you in the infield or the pits any great shot and yes I am a big raceing fan my favorites are open wheel mods

[swampler]

Thanks. That was handheld. I was in the infield, up against the concrete wall by the lights.

[th83]

So cool do you shoot for the track or a paper of ant kind do you have any other racing shots that I can view

[swampler]

I shoot for the local paper. Here's some of what I have online. The older ones have more shots in the albums.

Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Toyota Tundra...
Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Monster Truck...
Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Toyota Tundra...
Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Indy 200 Qual...
Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Federation Au...
Picasa Web Albums - Stephen - Firestone Ind...

[motox424]

Originally Posted by th83

I am a big raceing fan my favorites are open wheel mods

Since you are a fan of open wheel Mods, and pondering the purchase of a 70-200 f2.8, this was shot with a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 in a canon mount

[th83]

Very nice shots from both of you and yes I also love dirt mods as well. My question to you is have you read the previous post on the sigma 70-200 lens and the 120-400 lens being junk and how has the lens been for you. Also was that pic taken hand held as well or a tripod because I was thinking of the canon l lens but the sigma 70-200 2.8 is more a goal for me to reach my piggy bank is real small

[th83]

Swampler those were some awsome pics you are a very lucky person I take it you have a press pass to all the tracks in your area
Thanks.
Tom Nelson

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by th83

I need help on which lens to go for. I am thinking of the APO 120-400 4.5-5.6 or the apo 70-200 F2.8 lens. What I want to do is a lot of wildlife and local stock care raceing photography and I have a champaign taste with a coolade budget. So this has to be a one shot deal for me. I guse what my question is here does anybody have inpu good bad or in differenton either lens choice for me. I have no way of trieng either lens before I buy it so the opinions of all my new friend on the site please help and enlighten me.

Thanks in advance.
Tom

I guess this is a re-hash of what's been said. The 70-200 though several stops faster might be short for wildlife. If it will accept a 1.4 or 1.7 TC you might get better reach but you'll be back to 5.6 max aperture. The 120-400 might have the extra grab but will never have the speed. It probably won't focus as fast because of the stopped down max aperture.

Since I don't walk in your shoes I can't reccommend which would suit you better. I know this, I need the speed more often than I need the reach in my work.

Regards,
Steve