New lens for sports photography

hey,

i'm just starting out in sports photography. in particular football (http://jameschristie28.wix.com/football). Currently shooting with a Canon 6D and 70-200mm F4. i'm considering upgrading the lens to something with a bigger reach.

so what should i go for? currently looking at -

Sigma 50-500 OS

Sigma 150-600

a used Canon 100-400 mki (not sure about the push/pull zoom, never tried it)

any thoughts greatly appreciated

For full frame sports photography, a 70-200 f/2.8 is one of the essential lenses if you ever shoot indoors or at night.

For me, a 300 f/2.8 is the next bread-and-butter lens, or a 400 f/2.8 if you have deep pockets. There are plenty of other goodies out there, but these are pretty standard among sports shooters.

I would go for a good low aperture lens. If you have the money the 300mm f2.8 is probably the best one for indoor sports.

I wouldn't go with the Sigmas because they have high aperture.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately those lenses are out of my price range. Currently all of my football photos are taken outside.

For day games, I think the new 100-400 II would be a killer choice. You could strap that bad boy on and just about eliminate everything else other than a wide angle for post game jubo.

thanks for the reply James.

as its football its all outdoors, so do you take a hit on the aperture to get a longer range? i'm not sure.

Oh, its outside! Aperture really doesn't matter then.

l definitely agree with hotdog, hands down the 100-400 II would be your best bet.

It covers the most range, AF is fast, and it would be an all around good lens for sports.

For big field sports like football you need as much reach as you can get. I used the 100-400 I and the push pull does need to get used to. It is a good lens. Now I have the mk II and its a much better lens, faster, not push pull and better IQ. I used it for Lacrosse and surfing. My friend reviewed the Sigma 150-600 contemporary and liked it a lot. It has more reach which is good for football.

JamesChristie wrote:

so what should i go for? currently looking at -

Sigma 50-500 OS

Sigma 150-600

a used Canon 100-400 mki (not sure about the push/pull zoom, never tried it)

any thoughts greatly appreciated

Of the lenses above and as stated for outdoor use the Sigma 150-600 will be fine. The extra reach over 400mm will come in handy. I hear the "S" version is a little sharper wide open at 6.3. If you can't afford the Canon's, Sigma is a valid alternative.

I have the Sigma 150-600 'C' version and I am very happy with it for outdoor use.

I would invest the additional $50.00 in the Dock. The Dock help you "Fine Tune" focus and IS.

JamesChristie wrote:

hey,

i'm just starting out in sports photography. in particular football (http://jameschristie28.wix.com/football). Currently shooting with a Canon 6D and 70-200mm F4. i'm considering upgrading the lens to something with a bigger reach.

so what should i go for? currently looking at -

Sigma 50-500 OS

Sigma 150-600

a used Canon 100-400 mki (not sure about the push/pull zoom, never tried it)

any thoughts greatly appreciated

I would go with the 100-400 mk1.  Should be able to pick one up for a good price due to the release of the mkII.  While the mkII is a definite upgrade, the mk I was highly thought of for many years and remains as capable today as it was before the mkII came along.

I have the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary and a 70D. For outdoor sports it will get the whole field when sitting at halfway.

Only just started using it so getting used to an upgrade from a 250mm

If you are serious about football photography ditch the 6D and buy a 7D MKII or you can find a 1D MKIII used for less than the 7D MKII.

Lens wise if you can afford it go for the 70-200/2.8 MKI ( used) and the 1.4TC MKIII.

There is a 'hidden gem' out there that is hardly mentioned in the forums: the Sigma 300/2.8! Search for a used one. It's excellent value for money.

By the way your settings ( from the exif) seem a bit weird for football photography. ISO 100 and 1/640?? Do you use Av/ Tv or M?

Sports Shooter wrote:

If you are serious about football photography ditch the 6D and buy a 7D MKII or you can find a 1D MKIII used for less than the 7D MKII.

Lens wise if you can afford it go for the 70-200/2.8 MKI ( used) and the 1.4TC MKIII.

There is a 'hidden gem' out there that is hardly mentioned in the forums: the Sigma 300/2.8! Search for a used one. It's excellent value for money.

By the way your settings ( from the exif) seem a bit weird for football photography. ISO 100 and 1/640?? Do you use Av/ Tv or M?

Thanks for mentioning the 300mm f2.8 Sigma!!

That might be more affordable for me then the 300mm f2.8L IS...

James Larsen wrote:

Sports Shooter wrote:

If you are serious about football photography ditch the 6D and buy a 7D MKII or you can find a 1D MKIII used for less than the 7D MKII.

Lens wise if you can afford it go for the 70-200/2.8 MKI ( used) and the 1.4TC MKIII.

There is a 'hidden gem' out there that is hardly mentioned in the forums: the Sigma 300/2.8! Search for a used one. It's excellent value for money.

By the way your settings ( from the exif) seem a bit weird for football photography. ISO 100 and 1/640?? Do you use Av/ Tv or M?

Thanks for mentioning the 300mm f2.8 Sigma!!

That might be more affordable for me then the 300mm f2.8L IS...

it's a very compact lens and easy to hand hold. I use it from time to time especially when I take photos during son's football matches.