shooting surfing, what do you use

[hipshot]

Right now I shoot riders with my sigma 70-300 apo :?
I get away with the 300mm and the 300d because the waves break so close to shore in NJ.

I'm trying to decide on an L lens, 400mm equivalent. The 400mm 5.6L is around what I wanted to spend, but I feel like a non-zoom that long won't get used for much else.

What do you guys use?

[aam1234]

How about the 100-400 L.

[hipshot]

Its more, but whats an extra $300-350 when you've already dropped 1k right :wink:
I'm sure the IS would help (never used one) but with a monopod I dont know if its worth the extra $

Anyone have any surf pics to show off?

[aam1234]

To be honest I'm not sure what your question is.

400mm equivalent

but I feel like a non-zoom that long won't get used for much else


I must be missing something.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Most pro and serious enthusiast surf shooters are using big primes.. 500mm or more.

The 400mm f/5.6 would be the affordable solution.. but as you say.. it might not be the most flexible solution.

IMHO.. you may want to get the 100-400mm zoom then.

It'll tackle the surf job just as well as the prime, and also offer the flexibility if zoom. I don't think the 400mm f/5.6 primes advantages over the zoom will be of much impact for the use you intend.

[hipshot]

Ok, mabye i shouldve done a poll on what length people use for surfing..and was hoping for some samples :(
Not many surf photographers in the house I guess :roll:

[aam1234]

Been shooting a lot of jet skis lately, it's almost the same thing (well, jet skiers are further away from the beach I guess).

[hipshot]

500 and above is definetly out of budget, but would be awsome 8)

thanks guys

[ssim]

This was shot with the 100-400L IS on a Canon 10D. Taken at Sandy Beach on Oahu.

http://www.pbase.com/ssim/image/26359994.jpg

Don't sell the 100-400 short. It is a great lens and even on a monopod the IS is still valuable.

[lime]

Some choices:
Canon 400 5.6L - Lacks the convenience of zoom & IS (typically for surf IS not needed, unless REALLY windy), not sure about using TC's with it.

'Bigma' 50-500 - Good reach/flexibility, lacks IS, not sure about using TC's with it.

Canon 100-400L IS - Has IS, can use 1.4xTC w/ tape trick, but less reach than Bigma (w/o tc) & more expensive. Use to have one, sold it when I got the 300 2.8 IS.

So, considering your budget look into the Bigma, otherwise the 100-400.

Depending on how close you are to the action, you'll need at least a 400.
I can get away w/ a 300+1.4x (420mm), since I can shoot from the pier at Huntington Beach.

Some samples with camera/lens info.
Happy Shooting!

10D+100-400, Huntington Beach, CA
http://www.pbase.com/eflime/image/22492790.jpg


10D+300L 2.8 IS+2.0x+1.4x (840mm), North Shore, HI
http://www.pbase.com/eflime/image/27940749.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/eflime/image/27940828.jpg

[Dans_D60]

100-400 L works great. I agree, IS not needed and it's turned off.

http://danpettusproofs.com/surf/

[SnJPhoto]

I've use a 100-400, but really prefer to shoot with the 300 2.8 with a TC slapped on it (if needed). But for the budget, the 100-400 L kicks butt. Where are you shooting surf at? If in the SoCal area we should team up and you can see the diffs for yourself.

Scott

[RoB_m]

seems like everyone is talking about takin shots from the beach. to me, the best shots are taken from in the water.

look up david troyer on photo.net.

[aam1234]

seems like everyone is talking about takin shots from the beach. to me, the best shots are taken from in the water.

Saw photos of somebody shooting skiers IN the water. Man!!! they were incredible.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I forgot about the venerable Sigma 50-500mm "Bigma" (seems I am growing to Canon centric)

A good many surf enthusiasts are using this lens starting out and indeed it is one of the perfect applications for the lns. One of the lenses shortcomings (f/6.3 @ 500mm) is almost completely unimportant with this subject matter as the intended use is 99.9% during bright sunlight!

Yep.. the Bigma would be a fantastic choice! It gets you that 500mm.. without the $5,000.00 price tag.

[hipshot]

I've use a 100-400, but really prefer to shoot with the 300 2.8 with a TC slapped on it (if needed). But for the budget, the 100-400 L kicks butt. Where are you shooting surf at? If in the SoCal area we should team up and you can see the diffs for yourself.

Scott

I shoot in NJ :shock: yes there is actually waves here :D , but not in the summer.

Awsome photos!


A good many surf enthusiasts are using this lens starting out and indeed it is one of the perfect applications for the lns. One of the lenses shortcomings (f/6.3 @ 500mm) is almost completely unimportant with this subject matter as the intended use is 99.9% during bright sunlight!


I do usualy shoot in perfect sunlight, but there is also a lot of seasons I miss because its too coudy/rainy.

I might have to do some testing to decide between IS and non.
Thanks guys

[mkdive]

I've use a 100-400, but really prefer to shoot with the 300 2.8 with a TC slapped on it (if needed). But for the budget, the 100-400 L kicks butt. Where are you shooting surf at? If in the SoCal area we should team up and you can see the diffs for yourself.

Scott


I shoot my 10d/20d mostly with my 100-400.....What other spots around SOCAL are good for shootin surf? I hit salt creek once and a while and get some good pics....(i shot HB a few weeks ago).... and the "wedge" this last week. Where are some other good spots for wave/surfing photography? -mike

[ron chappel]

Rob_M beat me to it!
Check out this folder on photo.net for what is possible when you get in the water :D :shock:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=243542

There's also another guy on P.net that does some surf pics who has one of the best images i've ever seen (regardless of type) that was taken while in the water.I'll try to find it...

[SuperFly]

took some surf pics on a recent trip to Oman, check out http://gallery.surfersofdubai.com check out BigBadGoat's gallery...

Sun was facing me, which was a bit harsh, and these are my first ever pics of surfing with my 300D.

Later

[hipshot]

superfly, what were you using with your rebel..28-200?
The bigma is calling my name, especially with Christmas nearing.

I just saw the photo.net pics, those are amazing!...I'm guessing he doesn't use an underwater bag :roll:

[SCOR]

Classic surf lens is the 600mm f/4. Many, including myself, have gone to the 500mm f/4 because of mobility for hiking and travel. I've had the 500/4.5, the 600/4, the 600/4 IS and now the 500/4 IS and they are all pretty much awesome lenses.

On a budget - get the 400mm f/5.6 - no brainer.

Somebody commented on shooting from the water, but it is a big committment. It's very dangerous because of surfers, boards, reefs, rip tides, waves, etc. You need to train and be in decent shape and you need to know the sport and stay out of the way or you will get hurt.

I would start from the beach with a budget lens and find out how much you like it before you commit the big bucks. Surf photography us perhaps the most expensive type of pphotography you can get into because of the requirements of long fast glass, high shutter speeds and specialty equipment like water housings.

Don't let that deter you though. Just go out there with whatever you can afford and enjoy.

[treeduck6]

Lime
What is the 100-400 1.4tc tape trick?
Thanks

[SurfKahakai]

I'm curious too.

[lime]

Wow, sorry I didn't know someone was waiting for this.
Here's the link to FM's tips page:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/TipsPage/

Good luck!

[MarkH]

I do usualy shoot in perfect sunlight, but there is also a lot of seasons I miss because its too coudy/rainy.

I can't help but wonder whether the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 might not be a bad choice here. With the f2.8 it would work well in less than perfect light. Add a 1.4x teleconverter and you have 168-420 f4 it should still be quite sharp. If the light is good and you can stop down a couple then you might get decent results with a 2x teleconverter (giving 240-600 f5.6), this means shooting at f11 (I have no problems with f11 on a sunny day).

I think that this lens would work well for other uses too.

[Volatile]

To underscore what SCOR says, we had a surf photog get killed about 2 weeks ago on the north shore. He got caught in a wave at pipeline, went over and hit his head on the reef.

I would recommend a zoom of some sort since it will give you a lot more flexibility, not to mention portability.

I took this picture at 200mm, for example...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Volatile/Canon%20forum/IMG_2972Medium.jpg

[sparkeee]

I often use the Canon 100-400 IS in mode 2 for panning on a tripod or mode 1 if handholding for taking Surf photos at Steamer lane in Nor Cal.The lens works well on my Canon 20d. The subjects are shot from a cliff anywhere from 75ft-300ft.or more away. Since the beach here faces south it's difficult to get just the right lighting.Check out my photos at http://f8surf.com under galleries/ more galleries. Hover over the photos on the right hand side and you will see an info button appear,click it and you will see focal range, f stop, shutter speed etc. I shoot after I get my share of waves so the lighting isn't always ideal. By the way, I've used the 1.4 TC and don't care for the results (auto focus is disabled) unless you can manual focus while shooting a sequence I don't reccomend it. Feel free to e-mail me at charlie@f8surf.com if I can be of any help or you would like to critique my work. Charlie