Surveillance Question

I need to purchase a surveillance lens, one that I can take descent pictures with in low light. I think a zoom is also important for this application. The only thing that comes to my mind is the Sigma 120-300 2.8. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

Sounds like the best option for a zoom. Non zoom, 200mm 1.8 L.

Since I don't like the Canon 2x II TC on my 70-200L f/2.8, I'm putting it to good use as a surveillance lens to catch the young punks in my neighborhood in action... but I don't know how well it does in low light situations...

If aperture is important,. then you have your lens in the Sigma 120-300mm.. and the option to get perfectly useable results at 240-600mm f/5.6 when light is plentifull but need more range. (or when ISO noise can make up the difference in light loss)

However.. Ihave noticed over the years that since "superior" image qaulity and performance is not the usual top requirement for this type of shooting,. that detectives and paparatzi often use the lower cost slower aperture Sigma zooms that we wildlife and sprots shooters tend to avoid. The Sigma 135-400mm and 170-500mm for instance,. and of course the well liked "Bigma" 50-500mm of higher quality.

They must just use super high ASA film in these rigs.. (you can allways see horrific grain in these shots) to make up for some of the light loss.

In between there's the 100-300mm f/4 EX from Sigma,.. if F/4 is fast enough this would save considerably on $$ and weight.

Surveillance? First Bush and now us photographers?

The terrorists are everywhere, so it's us normal citizens that would have to step up....

Normal course of business for a crime scene photographer

Just how low can you get?

Sure you need still pix? EF lenses get really long mounted on a Canon XL-1

???

We actually have an XL-2........the court still likes to see nice big, clear 8 X 10's and up......

"descent"

Just a little wordplay, it would appear.

Oh....lol........duh. Thanx:o

Sorry: feeble joke, & I can't seem to make smileys appear.

LOL.......well your feeble joke got over on my weak thought process