Upgrade or not

[Kev3dr]

Hello everybody, im thinking of upgrading from my canon 55-250 lens to a canon 100-400 f4-5.6 l is usm for taking motorsport shots, wot do people think good move or not

[matt wilson]

I love mine ......others will point you in the direction of something faster more modern design and cheaper .Must admit the sigma variants have good reviews

[anglefire]

It is very popular for motorsport - Rallying especially - but is quite slow. Can be challenging in the forests!

Another lens that is very popular is the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 - but doesn't have IS - which may or may not be an issue. I used the sgima at Mallory Park last year and it was very easily hand-holdable - I was getting sharp pans as low as 1/40" @ 300mm and even 1 accaptable for the web at least at 1/25" @ 300mm.

[flake]

Might be hand holdable if you're a big grufty bloke, but it's not for us girlies! (well I guess there are a few who could!)

However the Canon 100 - 400mm IS L has a first generation IS system which only give a couple of stops advantage, the Sigma 120 - 300mm has two stops advantage in aperture so for a static scene they're evenly matched, but when it comes to moving objects the Sigma has a better chance of freezing the action.

However there is one big factor in the Canons favour - price £1200 for the Canon, and although the Sigma has come down in price it's still a lot more at £1750. Then theres the reported variable quality of the lenses focus, however if you get a good quality one the optics are as good or close to the other options in the Canon range.

It all comes down to whether the speed of the f/2.8 aperture is something you feel you need, and that's a choice only you can make.

[anglefire]

I'm not sure if I'm a big gufty bloke - but I take your point!

A lot has to be done to technique in physically bracing the lens against your body and being able to takes efficient rests!

And yes it is a dearer lens than the 100-400 - but its not push pull, and the zoom ring works the right way! Its a lens on my wish list, though it can be hired for less than £100 for a weekend.

[flake]

I use my Sigma with a monopod (extra stop ?) I'm not sure if a monopod buys any stops in a lens with IS, but I don't think so.

The recent price drop from £2000 to £1700 might just make it that bit more affordable.

I find the push pull OK, it's much quicker to frame a shot than twisting a ring, and if you're used to Canon the Sigma lenses go the opposite direction!

[anglefire]

I find using a monopod with say motorsports very hard - and I never use one - but for things like people at say Kenilworth Castle its excellent!

I too am not sure about additional stops with IS and a pod - I only have 1 IS lens and never use that on a pod!

Funnily enough I found my old Canon A1 in the loft the other day with various lenses and they were nearly all push pull! But now I don't like them - not that I have used them in anger, just tried them in a shop and it felt weird! I'm sure its something that you get used to!

Unless my memory has completely gone, I thought the zoom ring on the 120-300 went the same way as the Canon - if it didn't then it wasn't a problem!