Why only Canon lenses used for sport photography these days?

[redbluegreen]

Why is it when there is a sports event on box, there only seems !! to be Canon lenses being used. Has Nikon given up the chase or are Canon simply a better telephoto in the 300 to 800mm market.

I do not really have a preference but just simply like to know why as there used to be Nikon back in the older film days and not many Canons?

[Kyle]

Canon Tele lenses were the 1st to start featuring IS, i believe.. Which gave them the head start on the sports shooting front...

At least thats what i've read...

[redbluegreen]

Can you please tell me what IS is?

[bwhinnen]

IS = Image Stabilisation similar to the VR in Nikon Lenses.

Canon have a wider range of telephoto primes with IS, where as the largest in the Nikon range is the 300 f2.8 VR.

Nikon has the better zoom though with the 200-400 f4 VR.

But the prevalence of Canon has something to do with a better AF system back in the Film days that had a few people jump ship, with a significant investment in lenses (remembering a 600mm prime is in excess of $15000) most people have stayed with them.