Mountainbiking with 40D + 300mm F2.8IS

[Tvw]

First a little info:
Two weeks ago I bought a Canon 300mm F2.8IS lens. I know it's a monster lens (just like the price), but I got it second hand with the receipt and it was barely used as it is only a couple of months old. I payed an excellent price for it IMO.
I always wanted to have this lens (I finally rented one half a year ago) but new it was far to expensive for me.

The lens will be mostly used for sports (football) and maybe some nature photography.

My first little test with this lens was at the GP Kivada Mountainbiking in Berlicum (only 10 minutes from my home). Here are some of the shots (remember it's only my second time using this lens and only the second time I shot a cycling event).
I realize that using my 70-200F4IS would have also been a very nice choice here, but wanted the test the 300mm F2.8IS for obvious reasons.
C&C are very welcome.

1.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059344/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059344/original.jpg

2.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059300/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059300/original.jpg

3.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059292/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059292/original.jpg

4.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059293/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059293/original.jpg

5.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059341/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059341/original.jpg

6.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059340/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059340/original.jpg

7.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059346/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059346/original.jpg

8.
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059342/original
http://www.pbase.com/tvw/image/110059342/original.jpg


The complete gallery can be seen here: http://www.pbase.com/tvw/cycling

Tim

[namasste]

Tim, these look great and I am sure helped you justify your purchase. It is an amazing chunk of metal and glass, that's for sure. I like #2 but would have loved it with some off camera flash to fill those shadows on the right. #4 is solid and #5 could be absolutely awesome if the dude holding the full face weren't lurking in the background. The separation and color in that shot is just phenomenal!

[FZ1]

I really like #4 and agree with the above that #5 just missed perfection due to the bystander...maybe you can chop him out with the clone tool. Good job.

[roaming oregon]

#7. Others are good- but #7 is perfect.

[toysport_photo]

#7. Others are good- but #7 is perfect.


I must admit, i agree!!! great shots for sure.

[Richtherookie]

4 and 8 get my votes. number 4 would be tops if the guy you focused on had no one in front of him. But I love the way he is looking right into your soul. I like the motion you show in #8. Great job. if this was only your 2nd try! Can't wait to see try number 3. great work.

[dFreezy]

Great shots! That looks like a Canon super tele sitting in the mud in the background of #5!!!

[khall]

Top shots, they all look great, well done.

[FlyingPhotog]

Having recently added the 300 to my arsenal, I can say that very few pieces of hardware have an instant impact on ones photography but...

The 300 is definately one that does...

These look great!

[Dan-o]

Welcome to the 300 club (not that there is one)

Great set Tim love the emotion in all of these.

[82NoMe]

Excellent shots...

[Zivnuska]

Love #4. That's how to make that lens work for you.

[timstinnett]

I really like #8; cool.

[Bkolowski111]

The faces are intense!!!

Thanks for sharing.

[narlus]

nice shots, esp nice panning job on the last one.

[Biffbradford]

Love #4. That's how to make that lens work for you.

Agreed. #4 is my fave'. The trick is to get THAT shot of the eventual winner then put a caption on it like "getting ready for the winning move" or such. Of course you never know who is going to win mid-race, but that makes the magic of "the shot".

:D

[bReed]

Very nice :)

[silvex]

WOW! the legendary IQ of 300L!!

[skygod44]

Great shots! That looks like a Canon super tele sitting in the mud in the background of #5!!!

Well spotted!

Excellent shots and you've now caused me serious trouble as I have to add that to my wishlist!
:confused:

[Berrygood17]

what is the shutter speed and lens u used to take picture 8

[engine3photo]

I really like #4 and agree with the above that #5 just missed perfection due to the bystander...maybe you can chop him out with the clone tool. Good job.

Care to try your hand at that clone?! Then send it on to TVW and ask if he'd be willing to let us see the results of your work on his pic. That's quite a bit of work and I don't know that there are enough reference points to make it work, but I'm no pro...

[Tvw]

Thanks everybody for your positive feedback!
It's really appreciated.

The 300mm F2.8IS will get a nice workout again this Saturday, I will be shooting a game of club PSV Eindhoven.