Lens For Surfing Competition?

I've been asked to shoot a surfing competition at the end of the month.

I'm going to rent a lens, but I'm not sure which way to go. I need to keep it reasonably priced, so I'm looking at either the 400mm f/5.6 or the 100-400mm IS.

I'll have two bodies. I'm thinking I'll put the rented lens, whichever one it is, on my 40D, and use the 24-70mm f/2.8 on my 5D for spectator stuff, etc.

My gut tells me that the 400mm prime is going to be sharper than the 100-400mm at 400mm.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

The prime might be marginally sharper and faster at the expense of no zoom or stabilization. Looking at your gear list, why not the 50-500?

crn3371 wrote in post #14259745
why not the 50-500?

maybe this is why. f2.8 vs f8

Since you already have the 70-200L and multiple bodies why not rent a 400L IS and use it with one body and your 70-200 on the other.

I don't know which 70-200 you have, but if you can get your hands on a TC 2x III, you can try pair it with your 70-200.
The IQ from reviews and tests I have seem, its only mildly different from the 100-400L.
In AI Servo it works well and focus fast.

crn3371 wrote in post #14259745
The prime might be marginally sharper and faster at the expense of no zoom or stabilization. Looking at your gear list, why not the 50-500?

It's in for repairs, unfortunately...

can you go out to the location, and see what focal length works? if 400mm works well, i think the prime would be good...but it would be rough if it ends up being a little too long for the event...

FuturamaJSP wrote in post #14259828
Since you already have the 70-200L and multiple bodies why not rent a 400L IS and use it with one body and your 70-200 on the other.

Well, there's roughly $190.00 separating the cost of a three day rental for the f/2.8 IS and the f/5.6, and I'm trying to mitigate my costs...

DreDaze wrote in post #14260808
can you go out to the location, and see what focal length works? if 400mm works well, i think the prime would be good...but it would be rough if it ends up being a little too long for the event...

Yeah, I've been out there in the past. 400mm would be just about perfect for the surfing. I'll have have the 70-200 f/2.8L if I decide the 24-70mm isn't gettin' the job done for crowd shots...

Surfing does it matters f5.6 or f8? I would say no so go with the zoom 100-400L. If renting I would get 500/600mm f4.

bobbyz wrote in post #14260878
If renting I would get 500/600mm f4.

Well, again, the cost is a factor for me.

I can rent the 400mm f/5.6, for a week, for $64.00. The 500mm is $301.00, and the 600mm is $405.00.

Now, those may be perfectly reasonable rental rates for those lenses, but the simple fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend that much.

There's always the Sigma 800mm for $185.00 a week...

considering the budget a 400 F5.6 or the 300 F4L +1.4xII will do an excellent results. I've shot the US Open of Surfing with a 40D such like yours along with the 400 2.8 and a 1.4xII from the beach and if this is a big competition where people tend to rush in to meet the big name surfers after their heat the 24-70 maybe right but a wide lens is even better. Good luck with the crowds hehehe... Enjoy this event.

Check out this thread I created ...

https://photography-on-the.net …t=2011+us+open+​of+surfing

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14259722
I've been asked to shoot a surfing competition at the end of the month.

I'm going to rent a lens, but I'm not sure which way to go. I need to keep it reasonably priced, so I'm looking at either the 400mm f/5.6 or the 100-400mm IS.

I'll have two bodies. I'm thinking I'll put the rented lens, whichever one it is, on my 40D, and use the 24-70mm f/2.8 on my 5D for spectator stuff, etc.

My gut tells me that the 400mm prime is going to be sharper than the 100-400mm at 400mm.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

your gut is correct but the 100-400 is actually pretty close sharpness-wise to the 400mm 5.6 prime. If you're going to be 400mm or longer get the prime, otherwise the 100-400 will get you great shots.

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14260959
Well, again, the cost is a factor for me.

I can rent the 400mm f/5.6, for a week, for $64.00. The 500mm is $301.00, and the 600mm is $405.00.

Now, those may be perfectly reasonable rental rates for those lenses, but the simple fact of the matter is that I don't want to spend that much.

There's always the Sigma 800mm for $185.00 a week...

100-400L then.

BreitlingFan wrote in post #14260959
There's always the Sigma 800mm for $185.00 a week...

Now that's cheap, relatively. If I remember correctly the sigma 800 f5.6 EX APO DG HSM cost about the same as the 500L IS

FuturamaJSP wrote in post #14261647
Now that's cheap, relatively. If I remember correctly the sigma 800 f5.6 EX APO DG HSM cost about the same as the 500L IS

but is it any good? i've seen it on borrowlenses.com, and noticed that costly...but i can't find any info on it...