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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Which way would you go?
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 09/30/2006 07:31:39 PM · #1
I went to the ball game last week and was trying to take some photos from the upper deck and also from the lower deck of some action. Neither came out real well with my Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II all the way out to 300mm. Even with the ISO cranked up, I just couldn't get a fast enough shutter speed. So I'm thinking I might start saving my pennies to upgrade my telephoto. It won't happen for many, many (many, many, many) months, but I want to get an idea of what my goal will be.

Right now, I'm eyeing up two Canons, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and the 70-200mm f/4.0L. There's only about a $25 difference on them new, so I could go either way.

I originally got the 70-300 because I am in to lighthouses, and I wanted the extra reach for the ones that are offshore. I also bought a Tamron 1.4x converter.

So my question is, is the f4 all the way through and the L glass really worth the loss of the 100mm of reach? Does the IS make up for the f5.6 at the long end of the 70-300? The Tamron 1.4x would take the 70-200 out to 280mm at f5.6, so now it's just the L glass that's the difference (and I guess the Tamron converter might negate that as well), but the teleconverter would take the 70-300 out to 420mm at f8, but with the IS.

Basically, I'm leaning to the 70-300 for the extra reach, but that L is tempting....

Which way would you go? And why?

Message edited by author 2006-09-30 19:33:18.
 09/30/2006 07:48:51 PM · #2
If you can't get a fast enough shutter speed with the ISO set right up, the only thing left is to go for a larger aperture. The 70-200 f/4 is a stop faster than your Sigma at the long end, which should give you a shutter speed twice as fast. The Canon 70-300 will give the same shutter speed, as the aperture is the same as your Sigma. Don't forget that IS only helps with camera shake, it won't get the shutter speed higher. So on that basis, the 70-200 f/4 might be better. Have you considered, however, the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8? I think that it's not much more than the Canon 70-200 f/4 and you gain a further stop, so your shutter speed should be four times what it is at f/5.6. Even with a 1.4 TC, it would still only be an f/4 lens, so still faster than your current one.

Just a suggestion.
 09/30/2006 08:20:02 PM · #3
If you're going to 'settle' for loss in reach to get a faster lens..You might as well get a 2.8. Which, in that case, would make the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 a good choice.
Prices on Amazon.com:
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX DG - $830
Canon 70-200L f/2.8 USM - $1130
Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS USM - $1700
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