"Stealth" tele?

I've become addicted to getting candid shots of strangers. I often sit downtown for hours looking for that expressive face or stance.

I'm currently working with a borrowed 100-400L and have a Bigma on it's way, but these aren't exactly inconspicuous. The last expression I want is "you pointin' that thing at me?". I know there's plenty of compact tele zooms, but I'm not confident in their IQ and AF performance. Does anyone have any recomendations of a zoom tele that would cover at least the 200-400 range with great color, acceptable IQ and decent AF for 'walking' subjects? My budget tops at $1200 right now, but I'd save up for something spectacular. White L's are obviously out.

I've always wondered where I'm at legally here too. From every reliable source I've talked to I'm completely in the clear, but I often hear on this forum and others about getting a model release. If they are in a public place (as am I) they have no expectation of privacy. I gladly hand out a card to anyone who approaches me and let them know that I'll gladly give them access to the shots or if they insist in a kind manner I'll delete them. Where do I stand legally here though? What if I sold the prints?

If you're public and they are too, shoot to your heart's content. However, I would think if they're the main subject and you sell a shot of them, they should be able to either deny you the right to sell or demand a royalty of some sort. Just my thoughts.

As far as the lens...what about the 70-300DO IS? The 200 2.8L also has incredible sharpness and color. It also accepts even the 2x TC very well.

i really don't think there are any 200-400 lenses that are that small, closest thing is the 70-300DO. you could also try a sigmonster or other >700mm lens and take candids from beyond the horizon though

For an inconspicuous lens perhaps the 200mm prime. The 70-300 IS offerings are also reasonably small, with the DO offering being the smallest. Also take a look at the 80-400 Tokina. Condyk did a nice write up of the Tokina, although he did end up getting rid of it because he needed IS to handle the long end. The 70-300 DO IS might be the best stealth lens for your needs.

I should think the 200 2.8L would be the best option. Not too big, although the TC wouldn't help there. I think it'd be the shortest, darkest 400mm you could find.

The Tokina 80-400mm ATX II and D are very small. Same size more or less as a 24-105mm IS L. Decent quality see here.

Thing is though when you use a long zoom or tele you will get handshake and your keepers will reduce. Street shooting is often fast and long lenses won't often cut it consistently enough. I think you need a faster aperture and zippy AF ideally. Street shooters don't really use long lenses, partly for those reasons but also partly to be amongst the action. I understand why you might want to do it. Certainly easier but you do compress the scene and so lose flexibility.

I prefer something wider and have taken good shots with my Zeiss 35mm 2.4, Pentax 50mm 1.4, 24-105mm IS L (which is a very good compromise of width and length for street shooting) and 17-40mm L. It can actually be easier to get good street shots with a wider angle. 35mm 1.4 is very good if you want real 'prime pop' in your shots. Read the Street Tips sticky thread in the Urban section. Lots of tips there.

To be inconspicuous I'd think a prime would fit the bill, pick up the 200mmL as Ron suggested and a 1.4 and 2x TC and you'd have something quite versatile.

Not to mention the fact that the image quality is quite good, too.

I'm a prime junkie, but I don't see it working for this situation. I usually shoot from a couple of parks we have downtown. I'm constantly using every mm from 200-400 of the lens I'm using now. A prime would either cause me to loose the shot or draw attention to me rushing across traffic to frame it.

I'm favoring that Tokina 80-400 that's been reccomended, but in the past I've always equated them with a Walmart brand. I've never actually owned a Tokina - just going off their reputation. That review looks pretty decent though.

I like the 70-300 DO and it's very discreet, could work well for you if 300mm is long enough.

liza wrote:
Not to mention the fact that the image quality is quite good, too.

I've been working my 100 macro for event and street stuff and the results are quite good, I do like the fact a prime forces you into seeing the frame a certain way but at the same time I like the convenience of a zoom. Perhaps my images from primes are actually better though.haha Still pondering adding a 135 or 200 and TC's to replace my 70-300 zoom.

A prime is only really useful for street shooting if you move around otherwise you can't frame the shot anyway other than one way. I dunno if any of you guys have actually been out and shot consistently in a street situation. No one uses long lenses. A long lens isn't going to achieve anything unless, as in this case, it seems the guy just picks off people at very long distance in a park. As soon as he moves he will get handshake in most shots unless he buys the 100-400mm IS L and then it's like a bl**dy beacon saying 'look at me over here shooting at you'. Even then the FOV is very narrow. Shots of people at long distance are not that interesting most of the time. You need some context or interaction. Maybe I am missing something. Anyway, to be honest, I don't think it'll be long before the police have a word or someone complains. Innocent or not 'sniping' people in parks will attract attention.

I agree with every point you made except one - 'sniping' can provide very interesting shots. Portraits that put the shot in reference to the environment have their own merit, but I think there's a lot than can be said about human expression and poses with a shallow DOF at a few hundred feet. They stand alone with little context.

A mono or beanbag has suited me just fine @ 400mm so far. I don't see the need for IS, but I'd be thrilled to have it - none of my lenses have IS so far.

Our downtown is intermingled with parks and the good shots range anywhere from 20ft to 400ft. I often use roof tops as well. A prime just isnt going to cut it until I learn how to self-levitate.

I love it when I can get close in and capture a portrait with a good sense of the context and environment, but either because of my lack of charisma or the suspicious nature of our populous that's just not going to a be common thing with me.

I've had plenty of interactions with LEOs. Don't play into their initial agressiveness, know your rights, respect what they do and be honest to the point where you are still being faithfull to yourself and everything typically goes well. I spent most of my youth as an activist ... LEOs are the least of my worries here.

well deffinatily not a canon 1200mm for three reasons
1. it is deffinatly not an out and about lens
2. You might get arrested for aim missles at buildings
2. You might get arrested for spying on bussiness
3. You might get arrested for sexual harrasment while using the xray vision on it