To keep up with fast-paced sporting action you’ll need
a lens with a wide aperture and long telephoto reach. We put the leading
contenders to the test
It’s the need for speed. Sports and action photography demands
quick responses on the part of both photographers and their kit, so you need a
lens that enables you to maximise shutter speeds. You also need telephoto power
to get close to the action, especially if you’re shooting from spectator areas
at big venues. Perennial attractions include everything from football, rugby
and cricket to sailing and surfing, as well as motorsports. And let’s not forget
indoor sports, like swimming, or even darts.
You can pick up a budget telephoto lens such as the Canon EF
55-250mm IS for as little as $300 if you shop around, but some of the lenses in
this group test cost up to ten times as much, so what are you getting for the
extra outlay? All of the Canon lenses in our test group come with the ‘L’ for
Luxury tag, so you can expect professional build quality and optical prowess to
match. Even so, they’re not all created equal; more on that over the page. You
can often make considerable savings by choosing a lens from an independent
manufacturer, like Sigma or Tamron. For example, the Sigma 70-200mm lens is
less than half the price of the Canon equivalent, yet offers most of the same
features and very similar specifications. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on
offer…
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
This is one of the oldest lenses in Canon’s current line-up
but it still has lots to offer. Dust and moisture seals testify to the
professional build quality, although the lens lacks the rubber ring fitted on
the mounting plate that’s featured on the f/2.8 IS and f/4 IS versions of
Canon’s 70-200mm lenses. In keeping with all the other L-series lenses on test,
apart from the EF 200mm, it also features Canon’s trademark cream finish, which
not only looks the business but helps to minimise the build-up of heat in the
lens during prolonged shooting on hot, sunny days.
Canon EF 70-200mm
f/2.8L USM
The ring-type USM autofocus is blazingly fast, and there’s a
silky-smooth feel to the zoom and focus rings. There’s also a focus-limit
switch, which cuts out the 1.5-3m focus region at the close end. Optically, the
lens is super-sharp with minimal distortions and negligible chromatic
aberrations (colour fringing), practically matching top prime lenses.
The only downside is the lack of image stabilisation, so in
low light getting sharp shots is a challenge, especially at the telephoto end
of the zoom range.
|
Verdict
·
Price: $710
·
For: Excellent build and image quality at a very good price
·
Against: A full stop slower than some competitors; lacks a
stabiliser
|
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
With no hint of compromise, it seems Canon has simply set
out to build the most excellent zoom lens possible. Top-quality fluorite and UD
(Ultra-low Dispersion) elements aim to deliver superb sharpness and contrast
with minimal fringing. Build quality is rock-solid, with full weather seals and
wonderfully precise and smooth-acting zoom and focus rings.
Canon EF 70-200mm
f/2.8L IS II USM
The stabiliser is brilliantly effective, in both static and
panning modes, the latter of which automatically senses horizontal or upright
camera orientation. Even more impressive, autofocus is so fast that it simply
snaps into focus with unerring accuracy, even when switching between very close
and distant objects. The risk of missing a shot while waiting for the autofocus
to lock on is negligible.
Image quality is simply stunning, with spectacular sharpness
and contrast even at the largest aperture of f/2.8, all the way through the
zoom range. This lens is as close to perfection as you could wish for; it’s
just a shame it’s so expensive.
|
Verdict
·
Price: $2,500
·
From build to image quality, this is almost the perfect lens
·
Even though street prices have fallen, it’s still very
expensive
|
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
Compared with most budget 70-300mm zooms, which offer a maximum
aperture of f/5 at the 200mm mark, this lens is only two-thirds of a stop
faster. However, it’s also not much more to buy, yet comes with some L-series
trimmings including top-quality glass and a sturdy metal body, although without
weather seals.
Canon EF 70-200mm
f/4L USM
A bonus for prolonged handheld shooting is that it’s only
about half the weight, and noticeably smaller, than the 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses.
This is reflected by the filter size, which is 67mm rather than 77mm. However,
being a stop slower than the f/2.8 lenses shake-free shooting is more of a
challenge, so the lack of an image stabiliser is a significant minus point. For
use with a tripod it’s light enough not to need a tripod collar.
Autofocus performance is very fast in most lighting conditions,
but can’t quite match the f/2.8 lenses under very dull lighting; most Canon
D-SLRs have a high-sensitivity AF point at the centre, which can take full
advantage of f/2.8 lenses. Even so, sharpness, contrast and all other aspects
of image quality are excellent at the price.
|
Verdict
·
Price: $710
·
For: Excellent build and image quality at a very good price
·
Against: A full stop slower than some competitors; lacks a
stabiliser
|
