Going to an air show and thinking about renting a few lenses.

[In2Photos]

A few POTN members have discussed heading to the air show Oct. 6-7 at the Pope AFB in Fayetteville, NC. My buddy Chris (Medic85) and I are contemplating renting a couple lenses to take with us. Both of us have almost identical kits. He has the 85 which I don't have and has an XTi to my XT. Otherwise we both have the same lenses (Sigma 17-70 and 70-200 f/4 L). Chris' dad might also go with us (5D w/24-105, 10D).

We want to take some longer glass and the lenses that come to mind are the 100-400 and 400 5.6. While the 300 2.8 and 500 f/4 would be nice I don't think either one of us are ready to try and handhold either one of those and neither of us has a big tripod with wimberley setup either. So the smaller, lighter lenses make sense (plus it is cheaper). But is it worth it? I would hate to shell out ~$160 for a week for the two lenses and be dissapointed. Judging by the archives I think this is a no brainer but I thought I would ask anyway.

Anybody have any codes for the lens rental places?

[Kuma]

100-400 is a good choice :D

[Mark_Cohran]

I just shot the Hillsboro Airshow featuring the Blue Angels a few weeks ago and the 100-400 was just about the perfect lens for me (on a 1DMKIIN). I saw several other shooters there with that lens as well.

Mark

[In2Photos]

100-400 is a good choice :D

I just shot the Hillsboro Airshow featuring the Blue Angels a few weeks ago and the 100-400 was just about the perfect lens for me (on a 1DMKIIN). I saw several other shooters there with that lens as well.

Mark
Thanks.

Anyone else? Should I be looking at any other lenses?

[carpenter]

I use a 100-400 as well and it's pretty much the ideal lens for airshows.

[aero145]

100-400 is the most popular L lens used at airshows, without a doubt! I use it for airshows and it's just amazing.

Also noticed that the lens is the sharpest at 400mm, 400mm is probably a lot used at airshows so you get fine sharpness.

[JandJH1]

I also used the 100-400mm lens on an air show last year (Thunderbirds), and I was very happy with the capabilities of the lens. You can see some of the shots I took with it (http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=649145).

[In2Photos]

I use a 100-400 as well and it's pretty much the ideal lens for airshows.

100-400 is the most popular L lens used at airshows, without a doubt! I use it for airshows and it's just amazing.

Also noticed that the lens is the sharpest at 400mm, 400mm is probably a lot used at airshows so you get fine sharpness.

I also used the 100-400mm lens on an air show last year (Thunderbirds), and I was very happy with the capabilities of the lens. You can see some of the shots I took with it (http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=649145).
So you guys think I should get the 100-400? ;)

[tom1s]

I use my 100-400 at airshows and am quite happy with it. I found that there is a learning curve with this lens, at least there was for me, so you may want to play with it before you go to the air show.

[In2Photos]

I use my 100-400 at airshows and am quite happy with it. I found that there is a learning curve with this lens, at least there was for me, so you may want to play with it before you go to the air show.
Thanks. I think the game plan is to get it 2-3 days before so that we can play with it and get used to it.

[Lightstream]

100-400, absolutely. I work the entire focal range at airshows because I can't control where the planes are going to fly, and sometimes, amazingly, they fly towards me (wow). A prime would simply NOT be flexible enough. I've caught the starburst formation and needed the zoom backwards (towards 100mm) to keep all the planes in the frame rather than cut off one or both of the ones on the sides.

Then occasionally you'll have a change of pace and they'll fly large or huge aircraft (Super Constellation anybody?) near you, and again you'll have to zoom out or risk losing parts of the plane.

It's the jet fighters that typically need the long end of the zoom because they are so small, fast, and far away.

[In2Photos]

100-400, absolutely. I work the entire focal range at airshows because I can't control where the planes are going to fly, and sometimes, amazingly, they fly towards me (wow). A prime would simply NOT be flexible enough. I've caught the starburst formation and needed the zoom backwards (towards 100mm) to keep all the planes in the frame rather than cut off one or both of the ones on the sides.

Then occasionally you'll have a change of pace and they'll fly large or huge aircraft (Super Constellation anybody?) near you, and again you'll have to zoom out or risk losing parts of the plane.

It's the jet fighters that typically need the long end of the zoom because they are so small, fast, and far away.
Makes perfect sense. I think we are either going to rent 2 100-400s or simply just get one and each use it throughout the day. Since we both have 70-200 and I have a 1.4 TC I don't think we will mind. It would be nice to play with the 400 prime though. :D

[Lightstream]

And don't worry about the alleged dust issue. Rocket blower works great.. :)

[In2Photos]

And don't worry about the alleged dust issue. Rocket blower works great.. :)
After spending a couple of weeks at the beach I have no worries about dust. :)

[Lightstream]

Good man :)

The 70-200 with 1.4x TC is reasonably long too, on a crop camera. At the last airshow I went to, I lent my 70-200/4 with a TC to someone whom I used to be friends with. Kept the 1-4 for myself ;)

[sugarzebra]

If you are going to rent two lenses I would get the 100-400 & the 400 f/5.6 Then you both get to try both lenses which would make future purchasing decisions much easier. They are both excellent lenses.

[Lightstream]

Actually, that's a good point if you're renting. While I don't recommend the 400/5.6L for airshow use, if I was renting I wouldn't mind trying it for a day. I can always fall back on the zooms if I need to.

[markol]

We had a person rent a 500 f4 IS for an air show last week. He claimed that the 500mm was a little too long.

I would recommend going with a 100-400mm or the 300mm f2.8 IS. It's heavy, but not prohibitively so if you have some arm strength and take breaks.

[spectre]

I am in the same situation. I have very limited funds (Yeah, who doesn't)

I love aviation photography and want to hit as many planes as I can...but has to be multi purposed do to being dirt poor.

Lens combos for air shows and other things.

100-400L IS
or
70-200 (in either the 2.8/or 4)L paired with a 1.4xTC
or
70-200 (in either the 2.8/or 4)L IS paired with a 1.4x TC

right now I only have a 75-300 4-5.6 II (I can't wait to get rid of this lens)
and a 28-80 3.5-5.6 II (I feel the same about this lens as I do the 75-300 II )

I will be adding a 50MM 1.8 here in a few days.


I am leaning toward the 100-400L for just that little bit extra reach...but to be honest...most of my pictures will not be aviation, as much as I would like them to be.

[Lightstream]

I am in the same situation. I have very limited funds (Yeah, who doesn't)

I love aviation photography and want to hit as many planes as I can...but has to be multi purposed do to being dirt poor.

Lens combos for air shows and other things.

100-400L IS
or
70-200 (in either the 2.8/or 4)L paired with a 1.4xTC
or
70-200 (in either the 2.8/or 4)L IS paired with a 1.4x TC

right now I only have a 75-300 4-5.6 II (I can't wait to get rid of this lens)
and a 28-80 3.5-5.6 II (I feel the same about this lens as I do the 75-300 II )

I will be adding a 50MM 1.8 here in a few days.


I am leaning toward the 100-400L for just that little bit extra reach...but to be honest...most of my pictures will not be aviation, as much as I would like them to be.


Personally, I'd go for the 100-400. It's my go-everywhere-do-everything telephoto in daylight. Animals, birds, aircraft, even portraits (though they bitch and whine about how the 1-4 can't do portraits). Much as I'd like to I don't seem to find much use for a 70-200 zoom at all. My f/4 IS ends up idling most of the time..

[Super-Nicko]

Just got the 100-400 and as previously mentioned - go play with it before you go... id even say try some birds in flight- non mechanical ones.. at a pond... just to practice getting your flying exposures right... you cant really get away with automatic metering mid air... need to work manual and be quick to adjust as required as to not keep exposing for the sky. Keep up the shutterspeed and go for it.. enjoy.. here in Western Australia we dont get much in the way of airshows....