Shuttle Launch - any guess how much lens I'll need?

Hey, thanks for taking the time to read my question.

I'm planning on heading out to watch most or all of the remaining shuttle launches and hopefully a few ARES-1 test flights, too. Now, I know rule #1 is enjoy the launch, which I promise I will be doing. But, I'd also like to capture some shots.

I was planning on getting a Sigma 150-500mm, and then adding that plus a Kenko 2x (high end) TC to my 40D, and taking some shots from Titusville - apparently this is about 11-12 miles away.

What I'm after is an estimate of the focal length I'll need to get a nice shot, hopefully something showing the shuttle leaving the pad but more than just a steak of light. If I need more TC's, or something doesn't go right, it's ok, b/c I plan on heading out to more launches.

Thanks in advance for any advice. And while I'd love to get a faster lens than the Sigma 150-500mm, its just not in the budget.

godzakka wrote in post #8433715
I was planning on getting a Sigma 150-500mm, and then adding that plus a Kenko 2x (high end) TC to my 40D, and taking some shots from Titusville - apparently this is about 11-12 miles away.

I went and saw my first launch back in May. Try to get on the NASA causeway if at all possible. Whilst you probably can't buy the launch tickets from NASA directly anymore - a few tour companies bulk buy them, so try them (gator tours is who I used). That way your 3-4 miles closer than titusville, and can actually see the pad.

With a rented 100-400 I was able to capture this on my 450D at 400mm (low quality web image):

from that far of a distance, there's a very important factor to consider with that much zoom... 1000mm, heat wave.

My 2 cents, for the night launch this month you probably will not get too much detail of the shuttle regardless of zoom,but if you have a wide angle,long exposures are really cool. for next day launch in november it should hopefully nice out and not have too much haze. all in all the 500mm by it self should be good, I would not use the tc if it were me, I did do that once and they turned out the worst of all the ones I have taken,but I also had a camera issue at the same time aswell. you can see the ones I have done so far here.. http://www.flickr.com …721576200308077​52/detail/ hope this helps. good luck you'll have a blast regardless.

Wally, I think I'll try what you said, going the wide shot this time. The long shot would be definitely be less hazy in November, I agree. Thanks guys.