Extender and zoom lens help/advice please

[Tyne]

I've been lurking for a while but now feel that I've confused myself!

We follow road racing and BSB and I stumbled into enjoying photography a few years ago. Carried on with my lenses , upgraded my camera but then decided to hire others to see what I need/want. (Actually what I want is not affordable!)

I have hired the Canon 100-400 4.5 (both old and newer) ; Tamron 150-600 G2; and Sigma Sports. All of these were good but limited when walking around pits or across fields and wanting to take 'instant moment' photos and also if we're out and about rambling/wild camping.
I've now gone back to looking at getting the Canon 70-200 f2.8 or 28-300 f 3.5 and an extender x1.4 or x2 .


What are peoples opinions or suggestions? I do have limited resources but happy to continue to save for the right equipment.

 

[StewartR]

Hi Tania and welcome to TP.

All of these were good but limited when walking around pits or across fields and wanting to take 'instant moment' photos and also if we're out and about rambling/wild camping.

Limited in what way? Not wide enough at the wide end? Not long enough at the long end? Too big? Too heavy? Too slow? Inadequate AF? Something else?

I've now gone back to looking at getting the Canon 70-200 f2.8 or 28-300 f 3.5 and an extender x1.4 or x2 .

Note that the Canon 28-300 is actually f/3.5-5.6 (i.e. f/5.6 at the long end) and isn't compatible with extenders.

 

[hashcake]

Unless you really need f2.8 the Canon 70-200L IS f4 mk1 is a cracking lens.
I've used one with x 1.4 extender and was very happy with the results.
I'm actually thinking about buying another one or the Tamron 70-210 as I find the focal length pefect for street photography (people).
But as StewartR has asked, limited in which way?

 

[Tyne]

Thanks Stewart - Limited in that when you are in the pits etc you very close. Yes the Tamron and Sigma were heavy after a time to carry as well.

hashcake - I was only looking at the f2.8 as I understood that using an extender you lose on stops?

 

[MatBin]

You will lose either 1 or 2 stops with the 1.4 or 2 times extenders respectively, so an f4 with a X2 may not be able to focus, it depends which body you have and what focus points will be active.
I have a 70/200 f4 and it takes a 1.4 extender very well. I didn't notice any loss of iq or focus speed when the light was good.

 

[HoppyUK]

On your Canon 7D2, and reading between the lines a bit, have a look at the Canon 70-300L. I've no idea why it's not more popular, a really good lens with a great range. Kind of a baby brother to the excellent 100-400L Mk2, but 2/3rds the price and 2/3rds the weight. 300mm should be enough for bikes at most circuits but if not then save for the 100-400 Mk2.

If you can find a nice clean copy of the 100-400 Mk1 at the right price, that's still a damn good lens. On sharpness and AF performance there's not much to choose between the Mk1 and Mk2, though the Mk2 has greatly improved image stabilisation and focuses much closer.

There are third party 100-400 options available now from Sigma and Tamron. AF tracking performance is very important for bike racing and any lens that's f/6.3 at the long end will not be as reliable as f/5.6 for that.

 

[Mike.P]

As you want up close and personal in the pit area plus long for the track I would personally use a 2 lens setup as you would be limiting yourself trying to find one that will do it all. As you are using the the 7DII I would be inclined to go with a 17-55mm f/2.8 for pits and maybe the 70-300mm L for track (if 300mm is long enough, otherwise a 100-400mm of some description).