I am nearly there with my decision to buy a Canon EF 70-200mm IS USM F2.8.....

The only thing that is stopping me is the 28-300mm IS USM, which I have recently seen

I want the lens for mainly motorsports/action. Anyone tell me which one to go for

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

100-400 IS L, easily. About the same price as both the lenses you suggest and has longer reach for motorsports. Unless you're right on the track (i.e. street circuit), get the 100-400.

FYI, this is an image from a 70-200 f4 taken from about 30 metres away at a street circuit in Bilbao, Spain. If you're further than that, get a longer lens.

My wife and I have a 70-200 f2.8 and 28-300.

For motorsports I would recommend the 70-200 and a 1.4x TC if you need the extra reach.

The 28-300 was bought as a single lens for travel, a purpose for which it performs really well, but I don't think it's as good optically as a 70-200.

Also the f2.8 will focus faster and give you more versatility.

Just my £0.02

Cheers,
Ricki

I'd go for the 70-2 for motorsports...

Grab a 1.4x too.

Cheers for that, I think I will go for the 70-200 with the 1.4x.
Rickibc your comments has really helped make up my mind.

I did look at the 100-400, but a friend is looking at changing his to the 70-200 as well.

All the best
Paul

If you are in London or thereabouts, why not try renting from Fixation - they have all the lenses mentioned above. Will cost you only about £30 for a weekend hire for each. I've used them - no hassle at all.

http://www.fixationuk.com/rentlist.htm

Cheers for that, excellent suggestion.

Paul

I too shoot a lot of motorsport with a 70-200 f4/l sometimes with my 1.4x TC. I have enjoyed great success with this method and got the lens instead of a 100-400. I am not disappointed with my choice. Generally speaking there is enough light at motorsport events, in the daytime, to take your pick of f stop and shutter speed so f4 limit is not a problem for me with my nice light lens. - Jono

http://www.pbase.com/cslr_challenge/image/47100572

Taken with my 70-200 f4 from behind the spectator screening at Abbey. Silverstone, this year.

Jono

Very nice sharp image and good DOF jono....

Paul

Thanks for the comment, it really is a much better pic when viewed full size.

So, have you decided? I actually placed an order with B&H in New York for a 70-200 IS as a replacement for my F4. This would have benefitted my 'event' photography more than motorsport. As it happened they could not put more than $1600 on my UK credit card in one hit so i relented and got a 580EX flash and 1.4X TC instead. So, i still have my trusty 70-200 F4 and a great flash and a TC now. All these have benefitted me far more than the 70-200 IS would have i think.

Either way, its all a trade off, these different lenses would not exist if there wasn't a good reason to use them all at some stage! What lens to have..... You decide!!!

Jono

Guess what... we have spent some money.

I should get my 70-200 F2.8 IS USM tomorrow

check out http://www.motorbikeracer.com for some results

Keep in touch jono.

All the best

paul

I use 70-200 IS + 1.4x, and very happy with the results.

Yep I would be with shots like that.

Many thanks

Paul