Which lens would you rent for an airshow?

[TopGear1Ds]

Hi everybody, I've been reading through the (admittedly many) recent threads regarding airshows, and there have been a lot of questions if 'X' lens would work, but I'm looking for slightly different advice I'll be renting and am getting a little overwhelmed by my choices. For the purpose of my question, please consider the lenses on a 1.6 crop body taking aerial photos.

I've currently got a 300 f/4L IS and 1.4x TC reserved, but I'm having second thoughts that that combination might leave me with a restrictively tight FOV. I've never been to an airshow, so I don't really know if that'll be a problem or not. Can anyone advise? I'm thinking about buying a 300 f/4L IS later this year, which is also steering my decision (its a convenient time to try it out), but should I get a 100-400L instead?

I was leaning to the 300+1.4x also because I thought it would have better IQ than the 100-400, but am I correct in that assumption?

I'd definitely be open to any other lenses and/or teleconverter combinations also. This is just what I've narrowed it down to in my head. If you could pick any lens to have for a weekend at an airshow, what would it be? (excluding the 500/600 L's, or the 400 2.8L since I can't afford the rentals)

Thanks for the help!

[Koch9703]

A 100-400 is often used.

[crn3371]

I would also go for the versatility offered by the 100-400. A naked 300 f4 is probably a little sharper than the 100-400, with a tcon it's probably a wash. I think the ability to go from 100mm to 400mm would be more of an asset as opposed to a prime in this case.

[carpenter]

I shoot airshows every year with the 100-400. 300 is a bit long when they pass over directly in front. That versatility of 100 to 400 is extremely nice at airshows.

[TopGear1Ds]

thanks for the input! 100-400 it is.

[Bubble]

i would pick 400 f/5.6

[TopGear1Ds]

oddly enough, thats not an option from the local place I rent from (Penn Camera). I had thought about the 400 f/4, which they do offer, but it's twice the price of either the 300 f/4 or the 100-400, and I don't think it'd be worth it. Additionally, I could get the 300 2.8 IS for the same price, and then play with TC options. I've drooled at the thought, but even as a pretty strong young guy, I wouldn't want to hand hold that thing all day.

300 f/4 IS and 100-400 IS are $35 for the weekend.

400 f/4 DO IS and 300 f/2.8IS are both $75.

[RCoulter]

100-400L for sure.

[TopGear1Ds]

100-400L for sure.

Thanks for the advice. I'm digging your avatar, btw!

I'm feeling good about the 100-400L. On top of everything else, it'll be a cheap enough rental to let me get a EF-S 10-22 which I've always wanted to play around with for a weekend.

[RCoulter]

Thanks for the advice. I'm digging your avatar, btw!

I'm feeling good about the 100-400L. On top of everything else, it'll be a cheap enough rental to let me get a EF-S 10-22 which I've always wanted to play around with for a weekend.

Those two lenses will be perfect :) I sold my 10-22 since it won't work with my 1D and wanted a backup telephoto, but I miss that lens a lot.

[TopGear1Ds]

Awesome! Thats great to hear :D

As a mostly broke student, I've really made renting lenses into its own hobby. Penn Camera has a weekend deal, where you can get any lens from Friday afternoon to Monday morning for the price of one day, and I plan entire weekends around finding the most possible opportunities to stretch my legs with a new lens! I've been looking forward to the airshow for a long time just to play with some nice equipment for a few days.

EDIT: Called as soon as they opened this morning. 100-400L and EF-S 10-22 will be all mine for that weekend! Thanks for everyone's input. I always appreciate the help!

[PhotosGuy]

but I'm having second thoughts that that combination might leave me with a restrictively tight FOV. That "problem" doesn't seem to stop Marauder61? ;)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=226647

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185720

[ryant35]

It depends of what you want, this weekend I shot an air show with a 70-200 f2.8 & x2 extender.
I have found most of the air show action happens at air show center, and it's usually pretty close. The additional large prime is a pain to deal with but you can get some great shots.
Last time I also brought a 300mm f/2.8 with the x1.4.

This was taken at 420mm
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/ryant35/IMG_1774.jpg

[TopGear1Ds]

Haha, thanks PhotosGuy. Awesome threads as usual!

That was my whole question actually. I was wondering if that FOV would be restrictive, not accusing it of being so :P

EDIT: @ryant35 - Thats exactly what I was looking for! I've never been to an airshow, so I didn't know how close the planes would be. In my mind it could've feasibly taken anything from 200 - 600mm for a frame filling image, and that clears things up. thanks!

[RPCrowe]

I once shot an airshow at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD in which the viewing public was really very close to the airplanes as they flew by and manuevered. I really think that a 70-200mm lens on a 1.6x body would have been fine for that venue.

However, the Airshow at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA has a very wide runway area and the planes plass and manuever off in a distance.

The 100-400mm f/4-5.6 is probably the most versatile. However, I will be shooting the next airshow with a 400mm f/5.6L and a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens on two bodies.

[Mark_Cohran]

A 100-400 is often used.

I would also go for the versatility offered by the 100-400. A naked 300 f4 is probably a little sharper than the 100-400, with a tcon it's probably a wash. I think the ability to go from 100mm to 400mm would be more of an asset as opposed to a prime in this case.

I shoot airshows every year with the 100-400. 300 is a bit long when they pass over directly in front. That versatility of 100 to 400 is extremely nice at airshows.

thanks for the input! 100-400 it is.

100-400L for sure.

I once shot an airshow at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD in which the viewing public was really very close to the airplanes as they flew by and manuevered. I really think that a 70-200mm lens on a 1.6x body would have been fine for that venue.

However, the Airshow at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA has a very wide runway area and the planes plass and manuever off in a distance.

The 100-400mm f/4-5.6 is probably the most versatile. However, I will be shooting the next airshow with a 400mm f/5.6L and a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens on two bodies.


I've used the 100-400 for airshows and it's been the best lens for me as well.

[TopGear1Ds]

I once shot an airshow at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD in which the viewing public was really very close to the airplanes as they flew by and manuevered.

Hey, Pax River NAS! I go to college 10 minutes from there, but I always seem to miss their demonstrations somehow.. Nice to hear mention of my little corner of Maryland though :)

I'm renting these lenses for the Joint Service Open House at Andrews AFB.

And you compiled it pretty clearly, Mark, the 100-400L seems to be the overwhelming all around airshow favorite lol. I've already got mine reserved. Sorry to anybody else who may try to rent from Penn :cool: