Begining Telephoto lense for spotting?

[calgaryphotographer]

Hello,

I have recieved my 300D (1.5 months ago) and it already has a few thousand pictures on its logbook.

I always knew that I would be buying this camera for plane spotting mostly, and I was wondering what other photographers here would suggest.

Many friends of mine use the Canon 75-300 III USM f/4-5.6. This lense is what I have been looking at mostly, as it is in my price range ($250-300 CAD). I would still have my 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 kit lense, but i am looking for something else. I would also be doing a bit of sport shooting (horse races, car races, track and field).

Thanks for your imput,

[Mitcon]

Others here with more experience will correct me or have some better ideas most likely but I would suggest maybe looking at the Sigma 70-300mmf4-5.6 macro APO. I have the 75-300II USM and I like it but it is a bit soft. I'm not that certain that 300mm would be that great for planes also unless they are fairly low flying.

You may want to look at the Canon 100-400L or the Bigma even if the 300mm is a bit short for your needs. These lenses are well above the budget you listed sadly :( The only other thing I can think of will you be shooting the sports action in good light as these lenses might be a little slow if your shooting fast action in low light. Faster lesnes will cost even more. Anyone else got some better ideas.

[condyk]

100-300mm USM Canon or the Sigma mentioned above. All the cheaper zooms will perform less than perfect at the 300mm end, but if you have a good copy and don't just point and shoot you can get some great results. Nitsch here uses the Sigma and seems to get great performance from it at times!! Maybe he'll chip in with how he does it ...

[Andy_T]

Also take a look at this thread:
Initial results from 300 mm zoom shootout (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=78099&page=1&pp=40)

Best regards,
Andy

[calgaryphotographer]

Thanks Mitcon...

I have heard that canon has corrected the softness problem in the III version.

I am still going to grab this lens, as down the road i want a dedicated macro.

Thanks for you help.

P.S - condyk - I wil be using full manual so I should be able to get some nicer results :D. At my specific airport I can get pretty close - and I have used this lens there, and it works perfectly fine!

[xuxu1]

Not easy to answer...

IMO you won´t be happy with only one lens for spotting. It depends under which circumstances your shooting.

1) At what airport are you taking pics? That means how close do you get to the action? (9/11)
2) Do you have access to the apron?
3) Are you mainly taking pics of static aircraft or approach and takeoff?
4) Are you taking pics only on nice and sunny days?
5) Are you.... and so forth.

I´ve been planespotting a lot (LHR, ZRH, FRA, SAN, LAX, VIE, SIN, BKK and many other places). I´ve used everything from wide angle lens (cockpit shots in flight) up to telezoom (100-400L) lens depending on conditions.

Before i went digital i used a film SLR and slide film (Fuji Provia).

Just don´t buy a bunch of lenses at once. Better save and then get some decent lens. I can imagine that the 70-200L f4 would be nice to start with. Of course if you need more reach then..... maybe go for the 100-400L. It´s a great lens and for panning it has mode 2 IS.

Regards
ED

[xuxu1]

Oh... forgot to mention...

have a look at http://www.airliners.net/

Forum. Lots of hints concerning spotting equipment.

Regards
ED

[calgaryphotographer]

Oh... forgot to mention...

have a look at http://www.airliners.net/

Forum. Lots of hints concerning spotting equipment.

Regards
ED

Done!

[xuxu1]

Done!
Fine!

Do you know now which way (lens selection) your taking?

ED

[calgaryphotographer]

IFine!

Do you know now which way (lens selection) your taking?

ED

I'm not sure what you mean - as in what lense

the Canon EF 75-300 III USM f/4-5.6

[Medic1]

75-300 is not a bad spotting lens.....a friend of mine is using it in conjunction with the XT for spotting and has had almost 200 pictures accepted to jetphotos.net over the last 4-5 months. For your budget, it might not be a bad choice. I personally used a 70-200 f4L with a 1.4TC, before I bought the 100-400L, but that would be over $1000 CDN and therefore is out of the stated budget

[xuxu1]

75-300 is not a bad spotting lens.....
True... i must know. Had one myself for some time. Sold it though after a while and bought the 100-400L. :)
.....a friend of mine is using it in conjunction with the XT for spotting and has had almost 200 pictures accepted to jetphotos.net over the last 4-5 months.
There are several hunderd pics of mine on airliners.net. :D
http://members.aon.at/aircanon/mypics/hz-aiz_2.jpg

ED

[ssim]

My first telephoto zoom lens was the cheapy 100-300. It took ok shots, not great but ok. If budget is a concern then this is an acceptable lens.

If you are spotting aircraft at the parking lot by the Husky station along McKnight blvd, this lens should give you the reach that you need. That seems to be the most popular spot in Calgary.

[calgaryphotographer]

yeah - in calgary I usually spot along McNight BLVD or some of the places I know up near the WestJet Hanger.

Thanks for your help folks - I'm getting it tomorrow :D