300mm fixed focal 2.8 or 70-300 2.8

[jessspeed]

I currently use a 70-200 2.8is on my 10d and was hoping to purchase something with a little bit more reach.I tried a tele-converter but thought it slowed the focusing down even with the ' is ' turned off.Does anyone have any advice?My hobby can be viewed at www.jessspeed.co.uk

[Snapperjack]

How much money do you have to play with? Personally, I think you already have one of the best zoom lenses canon make so you could go for a prime lens say 400 f5.6. That is unless you can afford a 300 2.8. Alternatively, save your money, make sure you use a canon x1.4 (or poss x2) tele and MANUALLY focus. Try slowing the shutter speed down on your panning shots as it will help get rid of distracting backgrounds and add 'speed'.

[kdr]

Originally Posted by Snapperjack

Alternatively, save your money, make sure you use a canon x1.4 (or poss x2) tele and MANUALLY focus. Try slowing the shutter speed down on your panning shots as it will help get rid of distracting backgrounds and add 'speed'.

funny i was just going to suggest the same. i was thinking about le mans yesterday and i said to my colleague i hit the back button AF a couple of times as the two pescas came up the main straight at 4pm saturday, then the next time was when tom k raised his arms on 4pm sunday. i'd go for length and quality over autofocus in a lens anyday, especially when shooting cars.

[vs346]

i'm going to have to agree with kdr yet again!

no matter how fast the AF is, your eye will always (at least for now) be faster. Especially with cars, the action is incredibly predictable. Pick a spot and let the car roll into focus. Once you get the timing right, tack sharp.

When you get to sports like football or rugby, that's a bit different.

[Kelvin]

Pictures look good and you have coped well with using the 70-200.
I personally would not use a teleconverter, I'd be tempted to stick with your current lens, and consider a good fixed focal length lens of 400mm. On my shoots in the past I tend to split my shoot of a race/event in two halves. First half I would use a 75 - 300 lens, using the full range of focal lengths for a variety of shots. Second half of race I switch to the 400mm and settle down for some tighter shots! (I always focus manually) Can I just add, I think a wide angle lens is always handy for those interesting, and creative paddock shots!

Kelvin

[kdr]

Originally Posted by vs346

When you get to sports like football or rugby, that's a bit different.

and man can i vouch for that, shooting cars is simple compared to football!

[jessspeed]

Thanks for the advice, I think a 400mm could be on the 'santa' list.