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View Full Version : Lens Experts, chime in please!


Noni
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 22:58
So the lady who I keep borrowing the 20D from is going to have a great opportunity to shoot some unusual skydiving events this Sunday (I can't go...I don't think. I may be able to change my plans, but I don't think so. Damnit).

She's asking me what lens would be best to rent.

Subject will be 100 moving bodies, at least 5 planes, a bright blue sky, over the desert, not likely to have clouds so brilliant sun.

Oh yeah...they'll be moving about 115 mph, about 3 miles up. Gonna be hard to find them, and to keep them in focus. "L" series are for rent, but I told her she'd be ruined for life if she tried them...too easy to get addicted. Like glass crack.

I suggested looking for a wide angle telephoto, but I am not sure a) they make them like that and b) if that would be the best.

She reads the forum, and I speak daily with her....can you all make some suggestions?

I'd really appreciate it...and I know she would, too.

Thanks!

Best-
Noni

the.digital.guy
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 23:07
Rent the 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS.(gives you a good range)
Sould work well.

Noni
13th of May 2005 (Fri), 23:16
Rent the 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS.(gives you a good range)
Sould work well.

Even that far away? She already has an older 70-300 (for film, which makes it 1.6x the distance field). Would that one work? It doesn't have IS, though, and I'm thinking that IS would be a great feature to have with this opportunity.

THanks!

Best-
Noni

joeseph
14th of May 2005 (Sat), 00:20
Can't say I'm anything close to lens expert so not sure what to suggest really. To give you some idea, from the ground and using a 100-400L IS on a 1.6x crop camera you may be hard pressed to seperate dust on the sensor from falling bodies! (I'm exaggerating but you get my drift)

here's one I took a few weeks ago just before the guy's opened their chutes, completely opposite conditions of that you mention - cloudy, grey skies...

http://joebloggs.servebeer.com/odd_files/IMG_9791-800.jpg

100% crop of the above:

http://joebloggs.servebeer.com/odd_files/IMG_9791-crop.jpg

Sounds like fun though, lots of activity to photograph with that many people. Look forward to seeing the results!

CyberDyneSystems
14th of May 2005 (Sat), 01:14
I don't think even the 600mm will be too long..