70-200 F4 IS at Boeing Air Show in Seattle next weekend?

While on a boat in Lake Washington.

Good idea, too long, too short? My travel lens is the 15-85 though I could take my 55-250 as well.

I've wanted this lens for a long while and am using this event as an excuse to finally pick one up new or used.

Any thoughts or comments are much appreciated.

Might be a bit short although image quality is excellent.

Are you going to be tied up on the log boom? If so, you'd probably be able to get some pretty decent shots when the planes are low, center "stage"; but for the most part it's likely to be a bit short.

Better to have a "too short" lens than not have one at all, though

I used my 70-200 F/4L at Seafair two years back w/my 50D and it was too short. A 100-400 would suit an airshow much better if you have that choice.

rparchen wrote in post #12837989
I used my 70-200 F/4L at Seafair two years back w/my 50D and it was too short. A 100-400 would suit an airshow much better if you have that choice.

could buy or rent a 1.4x converter for the 70-200 I guess?

The 70-200 f4IS works well at airshows but the 100-400L does offer more reach. The 100-400 can take some patience getting used to the push pull and panning.
70-200 f4IS at SANG.

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Docsknotinn wrote in post #12838036
The 70-200 f4IS works well at airshows but the 100-400L does offer more reach. The 100-400 can take some patience getting used to the push pull and panning.
70-200 f4IS at SANG.

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That picture makes me miss my 100-400L. Great birding/aviation lens.

The 1.4 teleconverter is a pretty good idea, hadn't thought about that.

As I understand it we'll be out on the water. I'm jazzed just typing that, this will be my first air show. At 37 years old can you believe it...

The TC will slow down your AF and 80mm doesn't add a lot at an air show. As much as I dig the
70-200f4IS if you had to buy the lens and a TC I think you'd be a lot better off looking for a used 100-40.
Having said that I have had really good results with the 70-200 and 1.4x.

I hear ya on the 100-400 but it's WAY out there in price range, and I've been saving for/craving/lusting the 70-200F4IS.

I might have to just "make do" with the 70-200. Now to find one I can acquire before I fly to Seattle next Tuesday. Any of y'all selling one let me know.

TravelerTX wrote in post #12838116
I hear ya on the 100-400 but it's WAY out there in price range, and I've been saving for/craving/lusting the 70-200F4IS.

I might have to just "make do" with the 70-200. Now to find one I can acquire before I fly to Seattle next Tuesday. Any of y'all selling one let me know.

you can also "make do" with the 55-250IS - you will need more focal length!

Canon 55-250IS with XSi /450D

I got a 1.4xII TC that I'll be trying at the Chicago air show. Should hopefully have enough light so that 5.6 is bright enough. Then it just may be a matter of cropping a little.

watt100 wrote in post #12838163
you can also "make do" with the 55-250IS - you will need more focal length!

Canon 55-250IS with XSi /450D

Great image! And now I must curse you for causing me to pause.

So with that I feel compelled to ask, 70-200 f4is worth $1K more than the 55-250?

I had convinced myself that if I could I would because of: fixed aperture, construction, and weather sealing. Too, I understand it's a bit sharper with better colors.
Thoughts?

I used a SMC Takumar 200 f4 M42 lens on a Canon XSI last year at Sea Fair (from land). I have also shot with a 200mm from a boat in Chicago for that air show. 200 will work and manual focus works as well - the lens is set to infinity - so autofocus provides little - the shutter speed needs to freeze the planes - so I guess I did not miss having modern IS.

The Takumar ran about $40.

This year I will use a Nikkor 300 4.5 lens - that cost about $100 - one is available in Seattle on Craigslist currently for that price.

This was taken with the Takumar 200.

TravelerTX wrote in post #12838428
Great image! And now I must curse you for causing me to pause.

So with that I feel compelled to ask, 70-200 f4is worth $1K more than the 55-250?

I had convinced myself that if I could I would because of: fixed aperture, construction, and weather sealing. Too, I understand it's a bit sharper with better colors.
Thoughts?

You're in a good position to judge !

seriously, shoot with both lens at the air show and see what's best.
I like the 55-250IS but I would prefer a 100-400 even better !

XSi (450D) with Canon 55-250IS