[Ian C.]

Hi everyone, new here and fairly new to photography, I bought a Nikon D80 last year and have been learning slowly since. My main area of photography is motor sport - motorcycle racing. I have a Nikon 70-300 vr telephoto zoom but I find it just a bit too 'short' at some race tracks when you are quite a way from the track and would like to get an extra 100 - 200mm. I'm looking at the Nikon 80-400vr and the Sigma 150-500os but can't decide between the two. Has anyone used these lenses and could offer some advice? The Sigma is fairly new atm, but the Nikon has been out for a while. I I will also be going down to South Africa in August and part of that trip is a 3 day stay in Kruger so the long lens will be going there with me also.

Thanks.

[daveyuk]

Ian,
I've just got the Sigma 150-500mm (Canon fit) I've had a quick test but will give it a more in deepth try out at Brands Hatch in a week or so.

However here's my thread of the quick test I did the other day hope it gives some idea of what it's like

Sigma 150 - 500mm lens test

[Sonsey]

If you mainly wanting a new lens specifically for motorsport I would look at the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 which is in the price range you seem to be looking at, a great lens that is built like a tank, very sharp, constant f/4 and works very well with a 1.4x t-con which will provide that 400mm+ reach when you need it. A monopod would also be advisable with this lens as it's pretty big and heavy.

[AQ]

I am also thinking about the Sigma 150-500. I had a play with one at a shop in Chester on Monday. I was only hand holding it but my impresions were positive.

At 150 mm and f8 the images were sharp, at 500 mm there was some softness but this looked like camera shake to me. As I said no tripod. The is seems very quiet and the autofocus was fast (Canon 40d). I will still wait for some reviews to be published but my first impressions were good.

[Ian C.]

Thanks for the advice.

The 1.4TC with the 100-300 Sigma is an interesting idea, but won't doing that cause me to loose 1 stop so I wouldn't be able to use F4?

I'll wait for your review after Brands Daveyuk, thanks for the link to the photos you took.

Cheers,

Ian C.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Ian C.

The 1.4TC with the 100-300 Sigma is an interesting idea, but won't doing that cause me to loose 1 stop so I wouldn't be able to use F4?

Yes your correct, but then the 150-500mm is an f/5-6.3 lens so your still gaining over it... not to mention the 100-300 is also in Sigma's "EX" range. (the quote below is from Sigma's site)

EX - The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance.

[PeteT]

Isn't the AF on the 40-800 VR pretty sluggish? Ken Rockwell in his review of the 80-400 states that it isn't suitable for sports photography due to the slow AF.

His review can be found here : Nikon 80-400mm VR

[Ian C.]

Originally Posted by PeteT

Isn't the AF on the 40-800 VR pretty sluggish? Ken Rockwell in his review of the 80-400 states that it isn't suitable for sports photography due to the slow AF.

His review can be found here : Nikon 80-400mm VR

Thanks for the link. As you mention, he doesn't think it'll be up to what I'm planing on using it for, so that's cut the decision to either the Sigma 150-500 or the Sigma 100-300F4 with 1.4tc. Hmmmm...... decisions, decisions!!!

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by Ian C.

Thanks for the link. As you mention, he doesn't think it'll be up to what I'm planing on using it for, so that's cut the decision to either the Sigma 150-500 or the Sigma 100-300F4 with 1.4tc. Hmmmm...... decisions, decisions!!!

I'd give your local photo shops a ring to see if they have any stock and then head down there to have a quick play with them. While I obviously recommend the 100-300 (having owned one myself) I will say that it's a big and heavy beast and would really benefit from being used with a monopod for a longer shoot, this may well be something you wont enjoy/get on with so a quick hands on test is highly advisable... Good luck!

[Ian C.]

Originally Posted by Sonsey

I'd give your local photo shops a ring to see if they have any stock and then head down there to have a quick play with them. While I obviously recommend the 100-300 (having owned one myself) I will say that it's a big and heavy beast and would really benefit from being used with a monopod for a longer shoot, this may well be something you wont enjoy/get on with so a quick hands on test is highly advisable... Good luck!

I already use a monopod when I'm using my 70-300vr Nikon, not so much because of the weight as I find it quite easy to use, but I like a solid platform when I'm panning and/or using the 3fps to capture the 'action' of the bikes on a corner/overtake/off etc. It's only a cheap Jessops one and I plan to replace it with a Manfrotto but not sure which model yet, that's something else I'm looking into atm! ah well, it's only money

[Ian C.]

I did a Yahoo search for the Sigma 150-500 last night and spent some time reading the reviews I found of this lens. First impressions are quite good with some good images shown and the general opinion is favorable. I'm still going to wait for Daveyuk's report soon.