1dmk3+70-200 f.2.8 + 1.4X TC for high speed subjects

Ski season is almost here. I'm a bit stuck.

I have a 70-200 f/4L IS, a 300L f/4 IS and a 1.4X TC.

Because the 1dMK3 is able to focus faster with an f/2.8 lens and has a both a vertical and horizontal sensitive center focus point at f/4, I'm trying to figure out if the best combination for shooting alpine skiers.

I'm contemplating a 70-200 f/2.8L non IS which I would use with my 1.4xTC for (essentially) a 100-300 f/4 zoom.

I'm also contemplating a 100-400 but the thing is so darn slow so that is a non starter.

Here are my questions:

1. Will I achieve any better AF speed with the 70-200 f/2.8 over the f/4L IS version?
2. Will the 70-200 f/2.8L + 1.4X TC work fast enough to capture a 10 shot burst of a alpine ski racer reliably?
3. How does the 70-200 f/2.8L+TC compare in AF speed to the 300 f/4L IS?

J.

What % of that 10 shot burst did you want to be in focus, to call it a success?

JohnJ80 wrote in post #8932437
Ski season is almost here. I'm a bit stuck.

I have a 70-200 f/4L IS, a 300L f/4 IS and a 1.4X TC.

Because the 1dMK3 is able to focus faster with an f/2.8 lens and has a both a vertical and horizontal sensitive center focus point at f/4, I'm trying to figure out if the best combination for shooting alpine skiers.

I'm contemplating a 70-200 f/2.8L non IS which I would use with my 1.4xTC for (essentially) a 100-300 f/4 zoom.

I'm also contemplating a 100-400 but the thing is so darn slow so that is a non starter.

Here are my questions:

1. Will I achieve any better AF speed with the 70-200 f/2.8 over the f/4L IS version?
2. Will the 70-200 f/2.8L + 1.4X TC work fast enough to capture a 10 shot burst of a alpine ski racer reliably?
3. How does the 70-200 f/2.8L+TC compare in AF speed to the 300 f/4L IS?

J.

1. i doubt it, but that's what canon wants you to believe.

2. i don't like using TCs for fast action but it would depend on the light, speed of skiers and how far back you are.

3. i have used the 300L f4 IS for sports and i would take it over any lens with TC for sports. ditto for the 100-400L. i shot this one with 30d and 100-400L in evening light and i got plenty of keepers...........

I just shot this today with my 70-200 f/4 and my new kenko 1.4 converter using a 40D. Take from it what you will.

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What's the EXIF? I have to shoot with pretty fast apertures to isolate the skiers from the backgrounds. That means narrow DOF so AF is pretty critical.

I do know that when I put the TC on my 300mm, the AF slows down considerably and wouldn't work as well as I would like it to.

J.

Then get closer and/or crop the image and do not use a TC. Or, buy/rent a longer lens.

Let's see... A 70-200/2.8 with 1.4X attached is an "effective" 98-280/4, and you're considering the non-IS version of the lens.

Meanwhile the 100-400 is an f4.5 to f5.6 lens... So between 1/3 and one stop slower, but an additional 120mm reach, no fiddling to attach 1.4X in cold conditions, less stuff to carry up the mountain, and has IS to boot to help with handheld shots.

Now, please understand that I don't have and I'm not a big fan of the 100-400, mostly I just don't like the push-pull design.... But I think I know what I'd be tempted to try in this particular type of shooting situation.

Fast enough AF? Well, a lot of airshow and bird-in-flight photographers choose the 100-400.

gasrocks wrote in post #8932466
What % of that 10 shot burst did you want to be in focus, to call it a success?

half or more. Getting them positioned around the gate is critical and you only get one attempt to do it well. While I can get one that is in focus, it may not be well positioned with respect to the gate. So, I need several from the burst.

To your other question - I can't get close most of the time. The course is fenced off for safety to spectators and skiers (really don't want to be too close anyhow). Too, the best place to shoot is as they come over a headwall in order to get the best background (least cluttered). That tends to dramatically limit the positions I can shoot from.

Finally, since these are money shots, I like to spend about a month shooting the lens to make sure I understand it. The rental for that time frame is about the difference if I bought the lens and then sold it if I didn't like it.

I think after thinking this through some more (thanks, Ed) I'm going to hold at the 70-200 f/4L IS for it's weight (have to ski with it), AF speed and sharpness. I'll also carry the 300mm and the TC. That will give me the 70-200, 300mm and 420mm if I need it and it's bright enough.

I think the 100-400 may be too slow in the afternoons since almost all race courses face north, they start getting pretty gloomy in the afternoon.

I get the chance to try this out in a few weeks at a race training camp - good test opportunity before the season really starts. If there are any big problems, I'll scramble then.


J.