Got my hands on a 400mm 2.8 IS for the first time!!!

[sGu]

too much 20D talks lately, hope this will add a bit of spice to the forum.

Rented this monster for the first time for Premiership game between Manchester United vs Norwich tomorrow. Got my first credential for premiership game as well :D

anyone else in UK who's going to shoot this game at Old Trafford?

i took some photo of this beast:

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7531134-L.jpg

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7531113-L.jpg

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7531086-L.jpg

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7531116-L.jpg

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7531100-L.jpg

anyone used this glass before? i have a few questions regarding the buttons on it.

How does "Focus Preset" work? and with "3m-infinity", "3m-10m" and "10m-infinity" which one works better?

[Jon]

3m - Infinity - focussing range - it'll focus throughout that range
3m - 10m - same, only 3m to 10m range
10m - Infinity - same, but from 10m - infinity
So it doesn't have to keep racking all the way in and out when you try to focus. But you choose the one for the distance range you're going to be at.
Focus preset - allows quick return to a predetermined focussing distance (say, right in front of the goal).

[sGu]

3m - Infinity - focussing range - it'll focus throughout that range
3m - 10m - same, only 3m to 10m range
10m - Infinity - same, but from 10m - infinity
So it doesn't have to keep racking all the way in and out when you try to focus. But you choose the one for the distance range you're going to be at.
Focus preset - allows quick return to a predetermined focussing distance (say, right in front of the goal).

about focus preset, there are three options, i guess middle one is off, what about the other two?

[Jon]

Don't have one - gleaned that specific bit from the lens brochure. I'd guess Set & Return to preset. Electrons are cheap, and if you're going to want to use the feature, you're not going to want to be fumbling around for it, so play around with it and see what happens.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Sorry sGu.. moved back to EOS.. I think it does belong here.

1. With the switch all the way forward you are NOT limiting the focus distance at all.. it will focus from it's minimum of three meters all the way to infinity.

Use this if you think that things may get in closer than 10 meters.

2. The middle position on the switch will limit the lenses ability to focus to a range tha includes it's clsoest focus po9nt of 3 meters out to only 10 meters. If the subject moves farther away than 10 meters.. then it will not be able to focus.

use this ONLY if you are working oin a subject clse up and need the additional speed.

3. The rear most position of the switch limits the focus range to 10 meters from the lens to infinity. Thus the lens will NOT be able to focus on anything clser than 10 meters.

Use this setting only when you know that things won't get clser than 10 meters.


So,.. position one (all the way forward) is "Normal"

You only use the other two "limit" positions if you are trying to attain added focus speed by preventing the lens from trying to focus outside of a set range.

:wink:

P.S. Awesome MoFo lens! I want one! :shock: 8) 8)

[sGu]

thanks for your reply, CDS and fixing links, i forgot to do it :?

that's focus distance you mentioned, how about the "Focus Preset" option? there are three choices there, too, which i've never seen it or used it before, any idea?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've not used focus preset.. but I understand that you can set specific preset distances.. say you were shooting baseball.. from your location you could have a preset at the pitchers mound, Homeplate, etc... all ready and dialed in and all you'd need to do is switch from one to the other...

Again.. ive never tried this (never used a lens that could do this trick) so I can't help you solve that one.

Sorry.

[unners]

i have the series 2 non is 400 so i'm not sure if the focus preset is the same. i would think it is fairly similar. it is basically an off/on/set switch. to set the desired distance pull the switch back towards u into the set position. then just release it so it goes back to the on spot. to jump back to the preset focus distance just touch the large ring that runs around the barrel of the lens.
it sounds confusing i know but that is basically just my explaining! i do use the feature a bit in sports where action happens precisely at a specific point
hope that helps a bit
enjoy the 400 IS!
cheers
dave

[drisley]

Wow, that thing is HUGE!
I bet the DOF at 400F2.8 is razor thin, but will produce excellent results!
Can't wait to see some pics!

[KennyG]

If you read this before you head off to the match...

I have this on both my 300 2.8IS and 500 4IS

O is Off, obviously
I is On
((- is On with a beep to indicate it is set

You half press the shutter and focus on where you want. Keeping the half press, put the switch in either of the two On positions, you press the Set button on the lens. That stores the focus point. To recall it twist the focus recall ring.

I found it too messy to use for action work. Also, you hardly ever come back to exactly the same point anyway. I am sure it has uses, wildlife photographers monitoring a bird's nest with the lens tripod mounted for example.

The buttons on the front pause AF by the way. Never found a use for this either.

Leave the range on 3m to infinity.

[sGu]

thanks for the tips Kenny :D

I'm shooting Man Utd vs Norwich, kickoff is 4.45, so plenty of time left, i live only 10 mins walk to the ground.

I hope i'll bag some good shots with this lens, will post them as soon as i can.

Thanks all who replied!

[karusel]

It weighs 5 kg. :shock:

[unners]

sGu,
i hope i didn't mislead u too much with my info. it seems like the focus preset is a little different on the IS version!
anway, good luck with it
all the best
dave

[sGu]

don't worry, there is no misleading here, i had an idea before i asked the question, and all your replies confirmed what i was thinking, so i think i'll be fine, just hope i don't drop this thing :P

[IncompletePete]

How did you get into the match? Do you have a Premiership License?

I took some photos from the Norwich vs. Real Majorca match, but I wasn't officially allowed to so snuck some photos!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Can't wait to see what you come up with using this serious peice of glass!

Dreamy!

[sGu]

How did you get into the match? Do you have a Premiership License?

I took some photos from the Norwich vs. Real Majorca match, but I wasn't officially allowed to so snuck some photos!

no, i don't have premiership license, not yet at least, but i have my way to get into any premiership games i want :wink:

with license is tricky, you need to provide 15-20 premiership game photos which published in national papers and you got paid for those images then you can apply for a license; yet you need a license to shoot premiership games, but there is a catch, so i was told without further details unfortunately ...

CDS, i just came back from the game and i'll go through 561 shots i took and select a few to post here

[Patrick 10D]

I am anxious to see your pictures!

I also watched the game (live) on Canal+ Sport, and I did see quite a few Canon shooters at each end of the field. Where were you shooting from?

BTW, that was a pretty good game! I can't wait for van Nistelrooy to get healthy!

[sGu]

i was at the right hand side of pitch, top corner, from top down, i was the third Canon shooter, the guy sit next to me used 600mm f4 L, he even put on a 1.4x TC for couple of shots :shock:

but both of us had only one 1D body, so everytime there is a corner, we'll be put down the supertele n change into 70-200mm, oh boy, that was fun! .... NOT!

i'm looking for a second 1D body now ....... anyone wanna donate? in return, i'll send you Man Utd prints ... :wink:

[IncompletePete]

So how did you get in to take photos?

[Torcidas]

Probably photo acreditation :) work for some newspaper or internet magazine or like that :)

[sGu]

i'm shooting for newspaper and magazines(no internet magazine will be accepted for this) for sure, i don't think anyone would bother with all those hassle to get to the pitchside just for fun ... :roll:

Pete(can i call you Pete?), get paper/magazine you work for to apply accreditations for you, that's how i got mine, hopefully with the those images i'll be able to apply for a premiership license in the future.

[sGu]

the long waited gallery is finally online http://gu.smugmug.com/gallery/199146

CDS, do you mind if i post some images under "share photo" section? i don't wanna double post, yet not sure if this is double post :roll:

[IncompletePete]

i'm shooting for newspaper and magazines(no internet magazine will be accepted for this) for sure, i don't think anyone would bother with all those hassle to get to the pitchside just for fun ... :roll:

Pete(can i call you Pete?), get paper/magazine you work for to apply accreditations for you, that's how i got mine, hopefully with the those images i'll be able to apply for a premiership license in the future.

But doesn't the paper need to have some sort of Premiership Licence to enable that? I found that the only way to get into a match is with these magic passes which are so darned hard to get! :evil:

[sGu]

you mean one like this?

http://gu.smugmug.com/photos/7609288-L.jpg

[Molydood]

great images, I want that lens!

[sGu]

i'm sure we all do, but few can really afford, i know i bloody can't, but renting it would be alright for now, it gets my job done :)

and as promised, i posted some shots in "share photo" section, here is the link if you wanna take a look: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40665

[Sendide]

hi sGu very nice shots , neat and well framed.
I jsut noticed that most of them , or at least the ones you posted, were at f4, don't you think you coukd push it to its limits down to justify the cost (rent) :wink:
by the way, I am a soccer (football) fan and really wish I was there
regards
KHalid

[nosquare2003]

Nice photos.

I wish that you can get this lens very soon.

Longing to see more Man Utd. photos...

[DocFrankenstein]

How much does this monster cost to rent? :shock:

[drisley]

BEAUTIFUL pictures! Way to go!

I was looking at the exif info (photograph details) for the images.
How the heck did you get the players and ball to freeze in the air for 12+ seconds!!? :shock:

[DocFrankenstein]

ROFLMAO :D:D:D ^^^^

[nosquare2003]

How the heck did you get the players and ball to freeze in the air for 12+ seconds!!? :shock:

The new jump men?

Or did they pass the drug test?

[IncompletePete]

Think I'll get some practice in at Nottingham Forest when I move house! Just typical that Norwich City get promotion 'n I leave the area thus preventing photo opportunities! :evil:

[sGu]

I jsut noticed that most of them , or at least the ones you posted, were at f4, don't you think you coukd push it to its limits down to justify the cost (rent) :wink:

well, i was told to stop down a bit when actually use this lens, i did shot at f2.8 but didn't post the shots, i pushed it to the limit, alright :wink:

How much does this monster cost to rent?

it costs me £105 from friday to monday morning, i just came back from returning the lens, really hard to part it with, but i booked it straightaway for this weekend :D

Think I'll get some practice in at Nottingham Forest when I move house! Just typical that Norwich City get promotion 'n I leave the area thus preventing photo opportunities!

do you mind if i ask what equipment do you use to shoot?

[nosquare2003]

well, i was told to stop down a bit when actually use this lens, i did shot at f2.8 but didn't post the shots, i pushed it to the limit, alright :wink:


If f/4 works (e.g. DOF), why'd you need to use f/2.8 for "pushing to the lens limit"?

[leehal]

the long waited gallery is finally online http://gu.smugmug.com/gallery/199146

CDS, do you mind if i post some images under "share photo" section? i don't wanna double post, yet not sure if this is double post :roll:

Excellent photographs, pity about the subject matter (I am a toon fan !).

I was at the England game at St James Park on Wednesday night, had 3rd row tickets and would have loved to have had my camera there.

Very tempted to buy a 100 - 400mm lens on my trip to America/Canada (3 weeks on saturday !!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: ) - if my money lasts until New York I will..........

[sGu]

well, i was told to stop down a bit when actually use this lens, i did shot at f2.8 but didn't post the shots, i pushed it to the limit, alright :wink:


If f/4 works (e.g. DOF), why'd you need to use f/2.8 for "pushing to the lens limit"?

just in case light gets dark and speed is a must, that way you won't need to increase ISO, so to keep noise down, make sense?