Best lens for Air Show

[MarkP]

Only zoom lens I have now is a Canon 75-300 III is that going to be good enough you think?

I have very low budget for this as I want to spend money on hotels and stuff to go to some air shows.

Should I bother trying to get another lens?

Also I have 2 512 cards and 2 1gb cards enough?

[Raphael Emond]

The new 70-300 IS is way better when used at 300mm.
If you plan in doing more than one airshow, you should consider it heavily.

I've done an airshow with a 75-300 once, and at 300 it was clearly lacking sharpness.

AF speed was ok for flying planes.

[MarkP]

It is just to far out of my price range. How about the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO about the same as the lens I have?

[steved110]

If you are struggling with budget constraints ( who isn't, it's just a question of degree!) then i would NOT advise changing your 70-300. although the sigma is a better version of the type, the Canon is OK, and you already have it.
the biggest issue with this lens is camera shake at the 300mm end, and the fact that it is a bit soft. Unsharp mask and other photoshop tweaks may help a bit, but ultimately of you aren't planning to print big pics, then you'll be OK
Keep the shutter speed up, even if you have to crank up the ISO to get fast speeds. remember also slow shutter speeds to blur rotors and props will give interesting pics too!
I would suggest spend a little money on a monopod with a panning type head, go for a cheaper one that is tall enough for you, this kit is light enough you don't need a heavy duty monopod, and it will help a lot with camera shake.
I would suggest hold off on getting another lens till you can get a good one - the 100-400 is probably the best in terms of focal length and also has IS. You'd be better off saving for this than replacing one consumer zoom with another that is slightly better.

[electrict]

I agree with Steve, save for the 100-400l, this lens is a god send for airshows and wildlife.

[MarkP]

Ok..will do then. Thanks for the input.

[zach]

Recent airshow shot with 100-400L~Planes of Fame, Chino, CA (http://fonesplicr.smugmug.com/gallery/1485042/1/71073665)

My Airplanes gallery (http://fonesplicr.smugmug.com/Airplanes), moslty shot with 100-400L.

If you get this lens you'll love it!!:lol:

[MarkP]

Nice pics!! It is going to be a while before I can get that lens. $1000 is a lot of money!

Come on stock photos!!! SELL!!!

[Tom W]

Wow - web site burp!

I tried to answer before, but I'll try again with a quick, short answer. I shot the Cleveland air show last year with the 70-200, but I shot from the Yacht club next door so I had a pretty good position on many of the planes. 200 was a bit short on some shots, so as far as focal length, your 75-300 has an advantage.

I agree with others that you should eventually strive for the 100-400 as it is a superb lens for air show shooting. But in the meantime, I don't really know of any lenses that will sufficiently outperform your 75-300 without spending a good chunk of money.

BTW, I checked out a bit of your site, MarkP - some nice shots there at Hopkins.

[MarkP]

Thanks Tom!

[erdavis]

I shot the Blue Angels with the Canon 70-200 + 1.4x II. Got some very nice shot of them taxiing out, lifting off and fly overs. You can see the pics on my site. (note the pics are low resolution for the web).
http://www.clearpix.net/blue%20angels%20gallery/index.htm