Help I am LOST!

[theflyingkiwi]

Warning : this post contains prices that are in NZ dollar, if you have a week heart, then please keep this in mind before you read any more.

At easter time this year I am going an airshow in Wanaka, NZ. This will be the first time I have take the camera to an event such as this. (in the past I used my G3 to a local air show and that is when I knew I needed a longer lense)

And it is this that bring me to my current problem. At the moment I have got a 28-135 IS USM lense, which as we all know, is fine for the day to day stuff that I wont to take photos off, but I don't have any long reach lense.

To say that I have not been looking would not be right because there are a number of options that can use.

1. 100-400 L IS USM @ $3545.00nzl
2. 70-200 2.8 L USM @ 2605.00nzl (note: this is not the IS verson) I will also look at getting either a 1.4x or a 2x
3. 70-200 2.8 EX APO @ 1769.00nzl I will also look at getting either a 1.4x or a 2x (this is a sigma lense)
4th option, well I am looking at anything that any body else might sugest is a good lense to buy.

What else I have to keep in mind is that this will be my only zoom lense that I am buying for the next few years. Why, well I am new and it is foolish to buy more than what your expernce can use.

At the moment I looking the sigma option because it is cheaper and it gives me the option of a fast lense up to 200mm and if I ever need it I can go up to 400mm.

So what it comes down to is, what is a lense do you believe is a good option for me.

???

[nucki]

Warning : this post contains prices that are in NZ dollar, if you have a week heart, then please keep this in mind before you read any more.

At easter time this year I am going an airshow in Wanaka, NZ. This will be the first time I have take the camera to an event such as this. (in the past I used my G3 to a local air show and that is when I knew I needed a longer lense)

And it is this that bring me to my current problem. At the moment I have got a 28-135 IS USM lense, which as we all know, is fine for the day to day stuff that I wont to take photos off, but I don't have any long reach lense.

To say that I have not been looking would not be right because there are a number of options that can use.

1. 100-400 L IS USM @ $3545.00nzl
2. 70-200 2.8 L USM @ 2605.00nzl (note: this is not the IS verson) I will also look at getting either a 1.4x or a 2x
3. 70-200 2.8 EX APO @ 1769.00nzl I will also look at getting either a 1.4x or a 2x (this is a sigma lense)
4th option, well I am looking at anything that any body else might sugest is a good lense to buy.

What else I have to keep in mind is that this will be my only zoom lense that I am buying for the next few years. Why, well I am new and it is foolish to buy more than what your expernce can use.

At the moment I looking the sigma option because it is cheaper and it gives me the option of a fast lense up to 200mm and if I ever need it I can go up to 400mm.

So what it comes down to is, what is a lense do you believe is a good option for me.

???


Hi!

I'am in the same situation as you. So I've searched a lot in the internet to find the best solution!
For me there are also several possibilities!

1) Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6 L IS USM
2) Sigma 100-300 F4 APO HSM
3) Canon 70-200 F4 L USM

so after a lot of searching and reading test after test, my choice will be the Sigma 100-300 F4 APO HSM! Why?

1) its a lot of cheaper than the 100-400 Canon and wider then the 70-200

2) All post about the Sigma 100-300 F4 APO HSM where fantasitc! Everybody tells that this is a tack sharp lens, wich is solid build and with a superb image quality!

3) its F4, so wider than the Canon. Even with 1.4 TC wich cost 1 Stop its wider than the canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6

4) I read some post about the Canon 100-400 about the problem on DSLR's. I'm not quite sure whats exactly the problem, but something with the zoom and ERROR 99 I think. But search the web for exact information.

5) This sigma gets more points in an famous german photo magazine then the canon 100-400 L.

6) its IF focusing

All together I think, in my point of view this is the right lens for me. If you search this forum you will find some post.

best regards
Peter

[Canuck]

Ok,
For the rest of the world, here's how it breaks out between NZD and USD, then NZD and GBP. I have added the USD to GBP as well.
Courtesy of www.xe.com...
1 NZD = 0.681693 USD 1 USD = 1.46694 NZD
1 NZD = 0.367759 GBP 1 GBP = 2.71918 NZD
1 USD = 0.539435 GBP 1 GBP = 1.85379 USD
as of 2004.01.12 12:15:44 GMT.

Please note: these are int'l rates and banks may charge 5 and up to 10 units of your currency on the currency you are buying. Ok, So that means it could cost between $1.95 and $2.00 for 1 GBP! It all depends on how greedy the bank you are dealing with is!

I am surprised you haven't looked at the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 EX. It fits in there with the Canon L glass price. I have that lens and it is a smashing lens. It was the one that convinced me to go w/ pro optics from here on out.

Have you looked at ordering from the US? That could be influenced by the import and other taxes you pay when it gets there. Just some ideas...

[theflyingkiwi]

I had not thought of the Sigma 100-300 F4 APO HSM, but the problem with the Sigma 120-300 F2.8 EX is the cost. it is $4600 which is out of my price range.

Despite the NZ dollar is at the highest level at has been in years, I would worry about getting a lense from the US. The shipping part wouold be my biggest concern. There would be no way of make sure that the item would get to these shores in a sound condition.

[Jim_T]

I spent last February and part of March in New Zealand (Beautiful country) so I know of the dollar difference.. ouch.. I thought us Canadians had it bad. .

The 100-400L is a great airshow lens... It isn't that fast (f/4.5-5.6), but unless the airshow is at night, you'll always have enough light to shoot by. :)

I wouldn't be happy with a maximum focal length of 200mm.. If you do get a lens like this, make sure you can mount a 1.4x or 2x doubler.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The 100-400mm IS would solve your problems for sure,. but do check the cost of the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX,. it too is a very well made lens,. and here in the US it doesn't cost too much more than the 70-200mm EX

[DaveG]

I think that long term you'd be best off with the 70-200 f2.8 and the 1.4 X extender. That's exactly what I have so I guess that I voted for this solution with my own money. On the other hand maybe I'm just trying to defend a dumb decision!

My feeling was that a) I wanted a Canon lens for the highest quality now and a good resale value in the future; b) I wanted speed in a lens of this focal length; and c) along with the speed came the inexpensive (at least compared to a lens) but still high quality 1.4 converter, to create a 100-280 f4 "lens".

[theflyingkiwi]

thaks dave for the comments, that is one of the reason I was thinking along the lines of 70-200 f2.8. with a 1.4x attached it gives me another lense. and at the end of the day one could also get the 2x and get a 140-400 f5.6, which is supprise supprise, the same as the 100-400.

Becuse of the amount that one will be spending, it is a case where I don't wont to get to the airshow and find that I have to waste time changing lenses.

but then at the same time since this will be my only zoon lense I want to be able to use it for alot of different applications.

thanks

[DaveG]

thaks dave for the comments, that is one of the reason I was thinking along the lines of 70-200 f2.8. with a 1.4x attached it gives me another lense. and at the end of the day one could also get the 2x and get a 140-400 f5.6, which is supprise supprise, the same as the 100-400.

Becuse of the amount that one will be spending, it is a case where I don't wont to get to the airshow and find that I have to waste time changing lenses.

but then at the same time since this will be my only zoon lense I want to be able to use it for alot of different applications.

thanks

Once you get there you'll realize that you'll have lots of time to change lenses, but I know what you mean.

Plan on getting a monopod as well. That lens is heavy and a monopod will take the weight off of your arms. You'll get a steadier image and with the tripod collar on the lens, be able to flip from horizontal to vertical shooting in a split second.

[mjordan]

Unless you are going to be a long way away from where the planes do most of their low level fly over, you are missing a good bet on the Canon 70-200 4.0L lens. I have done a couple of air shows with this lens and it did an excellent job... and would have done better had I been able to keep the lens centered better. And this was with a D30. I've not had a chance to do an air show with my 10D and 70-200 2.8L IS yet.

There were a lot of times when the planes were too close for the 70mm side while most of the time the 200mm side was long enough and only on occasion did I wish I had something longer. But I was right on the flight line in the center of the field too. I also had clear skys for both air shows as well so had plenty of light.

If you can afford the 70-200 2.8L, go for it, but if money is a little tight (as it usually is for most of us) then don't over look the 70-200 4.0L.

Here is a link to some of my air show pictures:

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/airshow/index.html

Mike

[theflyingkiwi]

I think I have made up my mind to get the 70-200 f2.8.

the reason, that lense and with a 1.4x or a 2.0x gives a better range for the price. :D

The airshow that I am going to is Warbirds Over Wanaka (http://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz) and it will be the first time there. 2nd time with a camera to an airshow and the 3rd time to an airshow.

I am looking forward to.

Mike, that is some nice photos, it is a shame that no airshow in NZ ever has F18 jets, only the older stuff. I like the f18_0958 image.

for those that are interested. NZ does not have a fighter squandron.

[nucki]

I think I have made up my mind to get the 70-200 f2.8.

the reason, that lense and with a 1.4x or a 2.0x gives a better range for the price. :D


Well, I only can tell that the price for the 70-200 F2.8 L here in austria is ~1600 € (~2000 USD) the 70-200 F4 is around 800 € (~1000.- USD) so its half the price! The other problem (maybe only here in austria) is that the original canon 1.4 TC is ~ 400 € (+510 USD). so if you get the 2.8 version its here about 2500.- USD!! thats not a pitty! and its only 448 (with 1.6 camera and 1.4 TC)with the converter! the 100-400 is much cheaper! ok its 4.5-5.6...

and if you compare the sigma 100-300 you got 160-480 with F4 and with the 1.4 TC 228-672 @ F5.6

my decission is still the sigma 100-300 F4 APO HSM! I cant afford that much money for a canon L lens! And I'm not a pro so I dont need the best of the best! and the sigma seems to be really a superb lens to an affordable price! I do not want to spend all my money for photography, there are a lot of other things.... ;-)

think about it! do you really need a 2500.- (all together with TC) lens?
or do you just want a big white lens?
think about it....

best regards
Peter

[Tom W]

Thanks for pointing this thread out to me, Peter.

There is some odd pricing in the various countries. I can remember back in the 1970's when military folks would get fantastic prices on Japanese products including cameras and audio equipment when they were overseas. Oddly, it seems that the good prices may be here, at least on some products.

Here's the advertised prices on the following lenses at B&H:

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L -- $1089 US
Canon 70-200 f/4.0L -- $559 US
Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS -- $1350 US (this has image stabilization)
Sigma 100-300 f/4.0 EX IF APO -- $839 US
Canon 1.4X L converter -- $279

Take a gander at www.bhphotovideo.com and look at the prices. I just ordered my 10D there. :)

Anyway, for me, its more likely that I'll seek the 2.8 lens, either by Canon or elsewhere if it is known to be good. I think that the extra stop is worth quite a bit (and I've got some "almost good" night-time stage pictures taken with my f/3.5-4.5 70-210 using 400 film that show the value of the extra stop as well as the higher available ISO speed).

[nucki]

Thanks for pointing this thread out to me, Peter.

There is some odd pricing in the various countries. I can remember back in the 1970's when military folks would get fantastic prices on Japanese products including cameras and audio equipment when they were overseas. Oddly, it seems that the good prices may be here, at least on some products.

Here's the advertised prices on the following lenses at B&H:

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L -- $1089 US
Canon 70-200 f/4.0L -- $559 US
Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS -- $1350 US (this has image stabilization)
Sigma 100-300 f/4.0 EX IF APO -- $839 US
Canon 1.4X L converter -- $279

Take a gander at www.bhphotovideo.com and look at the prices. I just ordered my 10D there. :)

Anyway, for me, its more likely that I'll seek the 2.8 lens, either by Canon or elsewhere if it is known to be good. I think that the extra stop is worth quite a bit (and I've got some "almost good" night-time stage pictures taken with my f/3.5-4.5 70-210 using 400 film that show the value of the extra stop as well as the higher available ISO speed).

Hey Tom!

yes, exactly. there is a big differnts from europe to overseas! If we had those prices like in the usa, then the canon 70-200 F2.8 would be mine - no doubt! but I think I olso would get the sigma 100-300 because of the constant F4, the innerfocus ability, and the much cheaper TC.

right now its the best time to take a trip to the usa! becaus the euro is that high at the moment that overall (including the lower taxes anyway and the 25% of because of the low dollar) you get about 45-55% off from the prices here in europe!

ps: i know B&H from a fomer trip to NY. its a great shop where you can get allmost everything!

best regards
Peter