400D newbie!!

Mr.B

Hi All,

First post in this section!! But not in many others.

Have always had your average digital camera for normal use but this is my first time into DSLR cameras. Recently bought a 400d on the advice of a friend who's big into photography. I'm not technically minded and have been learning as I go along - especially the terminology etc!!!. Main reason I bought it is that I'm a sports instructor and need to get some good shots at tournaments but also static shots of groups etc. Have been looking at the Sigma 28-300mm lens as an add on becasue it seems to cover long shots as well as close ups and group photos.

Would this lens be a good general all rounder for now? Also, does anyone know if it has an image stabiliser built into the lens or the camera - I don't have the steadiest of hands!!!!

Appreciate any input & apologies if this has been covered a million times!!

Paulw

Welcome to the Canon club, and to the photography boards section.

The 400d is a very good camera.

What sort of sports are you thinking of shooting?

The range on that sigma sounds good. I've never used that lens so can't specifically comment.

PaulieC

TBH, I would avoid the Sigma lens. I owned one a copuple of year ago, but I was always disapponted b the image quality it produced.
If you're looking for a superzoom lens the Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS or the Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) are reckoned to be good examples.

jellybean520

Yup I had the 18-200 Sigma and it was a great all rounder and took very acceptable shots. I kinda wish I had held onto it but instead sold it to partially finance my monster 100-400L. I had to plug the gap then on the shorter range with a 24-105L but I still miss the wide side of the Sigma....

Currently trying to decide if I go 10-22 EF-S or 16-35L.

Mr.B

I teach TAeKwon-Do...so its a fast paced sport. But I also want to be able to use it for your normal pictures when travelling etc. I've used a Sigma 70-300 on this camera......and the range with the 300mm was excellent but 70mm wasn't close enough or wide enough for some pictures. Hence why I chose 28-300m as an all rounder.

So I would like to go as high as 300 if possible....200 is a bit short...but yet keep the mm as low as possible.

Any other receommendations?
The Tamron maybe sounds a suitable alternative...although only up to 250mm.....WOuld there be a noticebale between the 250mm and the 300mm??

Also, seeeing that I'm new to all this am I really going to notice the image quality drop on a Sigma lens? I have 2 friends that use them on a 400d, one friend sprcifically at TaeKwon-Do tournaments with the 70-300 and the pictures look great to me!!! the other person also uses Sigma semi professionally and the pics are great.

Thanks for the inputs

Paulw

For indoors sports, you want a f/2.8 lens since the light will be so poor. I think 200mm would be more than enough reach.

What you really want is a fast shutter speed to freeze the action.