What's the best lens for sports - motox, dirt track.

[Aakajx]

Hi, I was just wanting to know what lens yous think is best lens for motox, dirt tack.
I have a old canon 300d ATM but plan on upgrading soon probably to a 7d canon.
I've been using a 70-300mm lens and its been ok but I really want to get some better shots, more then just ok.
I am planning on doing a photography course soon as well.. But any help yous can give me in the mean time would be awesome.


Thank you

 

[table1349]

How close can you get?

 

[robbins.photo]

Hi, I was just wanting to know what lens yous think is best lens for motox, dirt tack.
I have a old canon 300d ATM but plan on upgrading soon probably to a 7d canon.
I've been using a 70-300mm lens and its been ok but I really want to get some better shots, more then just ok.
I am planning on doing a photography course soon as well.. But any help yous can give me in the mean time would be awesome.


Thank you

Couple of big questions here, first of all of course would be what is your budget? Second question would be, is the 70-300 mm you currently have seem to give you enough telephoto capability or do you feel you need something with more reach? Next question of course, as far as what you mean by "better".. do you mean being able to get closer to the action? Is lighting an issue or are you working in broad daylight?

 

[ShootRaw]

I would think the Tamron or Canon 70mm-200mm 2.8 would fit the bill.

 

[Aakajx]

It's in full light. Some areas I can get close others I can't. I'd have to save for the lens so budget doesn't worry me. I was thinking the 70mm-200mm. Has anyone here used sigma. A photographer I was talking to told me to buy one of them but I'm a little unsure. I originally was just going to stay with canon.

 

[ShootRaw]

I would think the Tamron or Canon 70mm-200mm 2.8 would fit the bill.

This^^^^You would be disappointed with Sigma's

 

[JohnTrav]

^^^^ 70-200 f/2.8 for sure. You have the speed to freeze action. Def a great lens for sports. It's what I use when I shoot sports.

 

[Braineack]

I've been using a 70-300mm lens and its been ok but I really want to get some better shots, more then just ok.

What is it about your current shots with the 70-300 that are just resulting in "OKAY" results? What would a new lens solve?

 

[grafxman]

Hi, I was just wanting to know what lens yous think is best lens for motox, dirt tack.
I have a old canon 300d ATM but plan on upgrading soon probably to a 7d canon.
I've been using a 70-300mm lens and its been ok but I really want to get some better shots, more then just ok.
I am planning on doing a photography course soon as well.. But any help yous can give me in the mean time would be awesome.


Thank you

I don't shoot racing stuff but I have taken thousands of photos outdoors of wildlife. The very best lens I've ever found for that purpose is Sigma's 50-500mm on my 7D. It focuses close and has an enormous zoom range. The stability system makes it easy to get hand held shots. It's a little heavy but you get used to that. To my mind nothing beats filling the view frame of a camera with the action and snapping the photo. It's a bit expensive but it's well worth it.

 

[Smokeyr67]

I would think the Tamron or Canon 70mm-200mm 2.8 would fit the bill.

This^^^^You would be disappointed with Sigma's

I have an old Sigma 70-200 (must be 10 years old) and I'm more than happy with it. Why would the op be disappointed with it?

 

[robbins.photo]

It's in full light. Some areas I can get close others I can't. I'd have to save for the lens so budget doesn't worry me. I was thinking the 70mm-200mm. Has anyone here used sigma. A photographer I was talking to told me to buy one of them but I'm a little unsure. I originally was just going to stay with canon.

Well if the problem is that you can't get close enough to the action that would mean you don't currently have enough zoom range a 70-200 mm is going to give you less range than the 70-300 mm you already have so most likely your best bet would be something in the 500 mm range.

There are a few options, Sigma makes a 150 mm to 500 mm lens with Optical Stablization, Adorama's price right now on them is $969.00

Tamron has a 200 - 500 mm, the non VC version (no image stablization) is at B&H for $949 right now. As I recall Canon makes a couple of 500 mm prime lens for around 5 grand for the F 4.5 and 10 grand for the F4 lens but neither are zoom lenses which probably wouldn't work well for you. The also make a few 400 mm lenses, I think the cheapest there starts at around 1,400 and they go up from there depending on the features.

 

[ronlane]

If you are shooting in daylight and lighting is not an issue, you can get a 70-200mm f/4L, used for less than $600. If you need more range than a 200mm can give you then robbins brought up some more options. Also, you could look at the canon 1.4 extension. I've heard that it's pretty good but may cause issues because you will loose light with the f/4. (May need the f/2.8 for this option).

 

[DBA]

Hi, I was just wanting to know what lens yous think is best lens for motox, dirt tack.
I have a old canon 300d ATM but plan on upgrading soon probably to a 7d canon.
I've been using a 70-300mm lens and its been ok but I really want to get some better shots, more then just ok.
I am planning on doing a photography course soon as well.. But any help yous can give me in the mean time would be awesome.


Thank you

I primarily shoot motocross (motox) and a 70-200mm f/2.8 is one of the best lens for this, especially on a crop body.

 

[table1349]

If you are getting reasonably close then the 70-200 f2.8 MkII would be my first recommendation. If you need more reach then consider a 300mm f2.8 or 400mm f2.8 prime.

 

[Aakajx]

Thanks all. The 70-300mm lens I have is very old.. I'm just wanting to upgrade.. I'm going to get a 70-200mm 2.8. I'm just looking around as I'll get a second hand lens to start with.