Hi all!
I
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Hi all!
I
I would suggest the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. It
The 100-400mm is one of the best aviation lenses out there, I'd get that.
John.
How about the lens design (push-pull) of the Canon EF 100-400mm? Some consideration?
I
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlino
Milno, Welcome to TDP,
The 100-400 is on my camera about 99% of the time.I normally shoot outdoors and I have used it in rain, snow and heavy dust storms( I live in the southwest)and it has never failed me.There is no mold,dust or moistureon the inside that I can tell.I also bought mine from a rental agency used, so no telling how much abuse it went through with them. My lens is 4 years old now and I must say ---when I do my job, the lens does its job. The push/pull does take some getting use to, but once you do, you may find that you prefer it to the rotating zoom ring as I have. I can't think of a more versatile lens for inflight airplane shots. I did have to do some AF adjustmentt on it when attached to my 7D, but other than that, the lens has performed flawlessly.
Here are some shots for you to consider (Sorry to the other members who have seen these)
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s9/v15/p223886767-4.jpg
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s9/v14/p928341097-4.jpg
http://rwilliamsimaging.com/img/s10/...22325512-4.jpg
Now, If you think you need the 400mm range, but are not sure about the "Zoom" then do consider the 400 F5.6L---It is a prime, has a little better IQ, is smaller and easier to handle, is cheaper and it has a reallynice lens hood design.
Good luck
Bob
Concur on the recommendations for the 100-400mm. No dust issues for me. It's a great lens! I think you'll find the push-pull design is faster than the ring zoom, which would make a difference at an air show where the subject distance changes very rapidly.
Here are a couple more examples, although not from the kind of 'air show' you mean...
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/5021065582/in/set-72157624462563459/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/...c08be40b_z.jpg[/url]
EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 1000
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/4998567740/in/set-72157624462563459/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/...4ba383a0_z.jpg[/url]
EOS 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L IS USM @ 400mm, 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 800
--John
+1 on 100-400L. No dust after 3 years of moderate using. The push-pull takes time to get used to and looks funky, but that does not affect the IQ [:)]
I agree with everyone else. the 100-400 is the clear choice. you need the versatility of the zoom and will find that the extra length over the other lenses you listed will be very useful in many situations. Its not the fastest lens but if you are shooting prop driven planes you will usually be using relatively slow shutter speeds to blur the prop. And as long as it is relatively light out it will still be fast enough to stop faster moving jets.
I also agree with the others in saying the push pull is fine(I was a bit skeptical about it myself before buying one) and have never had an issue with dust getting into mine.
here is an example of this lens for aviation photography. (not the worlds best example but the only one I have on this computer)
50d, 100-400mm @210mm 1/250th, f14, ISO-100
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/7801.5543.IMG_5F00_5F00_5F00_1182_5F00_5F00_5F00_e dit.jpg[/img]
I really liked those pictures from Canon 100-400mm posted here and this helped me decide buying this model. One more question....
I have been looking for Canon
Assuming it would take $1300 to get one that would be like new, you
I have found a Sigma 120-400mm at amazon.com for $899. Does anyone knows or have used this model?
Hi mlino...
You may want to take a look at the Sigma 50-500 and it's capabilities over here. BHP has it for 1599.99, sorry not sure of your budget constraints.The non-OS model may be plenty cheaper but may also be hard to find.
However, at that price I would stick with the Canon 100-400 even though I don't fancy the push-pull design -I guess it comes down to both budget and convenience if you don't mind dealing with Sigma's QC issues.
I
Hi btaylor...
Just out of curiousity, which *flavour* of the Sigma did you have, the OS or non-OS?
To be honest I
May 2010, Blue Angles Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. All shots with EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens on EOS 50D.
Tkerr,
Impressive pictures! This Canon 100-400mm seems to be the best option. I gonna buy one!
The 100-400 is by far the most popular Canon aviation lens in my opinion. For a good reason too, not only is it good IQ, it is versatile. For airshows that is very useful, different size planes, vastly changing distances.
However, I wonder, where do you intend to photograph planes with this lens? If you are taking shots only at an operational base then 200mm on a crop body is sufficient in my opinion, but it is not enough for airshows. I have a 200mm f/2.8 II and a 1.4x extender. I do miss the versatility of the zoom but this is a cheap way of getting a fast 2.8 lens (for other uses) and a 280mm f/4.0 lens when I need more reach. A lot of aviation guys use the 70-200mm f/4.0 (highly recommended if you don't need 400mm) and a 1.4x extender for when they need it. But if price is not important then the 100-400 is the better option if versatility is key.
If 400mm is what you need though, and nothing else, then the 400mm 5.6 prime is better than the 100-400 at the long end. The 300mm f/4.0 is a nice lens too.
Looking at your above choices, I will quickly say that IS is not required for aviation shots in the air for moving planes, your shutter speed will be high enough for IS to be irrelevant. Also a fast lens like a 2.8 is not essential either. But, if you intend to use this lens for other things then IS or fast glass may be very important to you for other reasons.
I'd avoid most SIgmas/Tamrons personally because I like a fast autofocus system like Canon's USM for this type of photography.
Shot from the 200mm; http://www.craighollisaviation.fotopic.net/p68057409.html
Craig.
I ordered today a Canon 100-400mm @ amazon.com. Thanks!
Congrats Milno---Your going to have a lot of fun with that lens. Bryn calls the 100L macro the most fun for the buck lens---I disagree, I think its the 100-400L. Be sure and show us the new pics you generate with that new lens.
Bob