Beach Vacation, Lens Rental Question

Ok, so I'm going to Galveston in a few weeks with my family (3 total families), and I'm going to rent a lens to take along with me, trying to decide which lens to rent.

I want to obviously take beach shots, so I thought wide angle from the 16-35 might be good, I'm going to try to capture "lifestyle" portraits as well, of my 1 year old son, my 3 year old nephew and all our family members...so I also thought trying out the 35L prime might be good here.

Then I'm also thinking the 70-200 would capture me some great moments as well...

I'll post up a poll and see what you all think, throwing ideas out there for me to consider too!
Keep in mind what lenses I already own and will be taking with me, from my signature.

Thanks.

I just bought one for this very same reason...the beach.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …goryid=2590&mod​elid=18332

westernminnguy wrote in post #10281423
I just bought one for this very same reason...the beach.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …goryid=2590&mod​elid=18332

Well, I'm not wanting a new camera, just to rent a lens. Not taking under water shots, just want some good, memories of my family. Thanks for the suggestion.

i was at the beach a year ago with my XSi and 2 lenses... either Sigma 30 1.4 or the Sigma 150

1) changing lenses on the beach is a pain in the arse.
2) 150 was a bit long... although it did help get some pics of my family playing in the water...
3) more gear means i was stuck to my equipment... keeping eye on it.

in conclusion, i think your 24-70 should cover nicely... you don't need that much of a reach with your kids being so young, no?

Yeah he won't be that far out in the water. I just really want a reason to try a new lens out, and help me to decide on what I might purchase next, so I want to rent one for vacation that would compliment my lenses so far...

If you're going to rent anything, I would recommend the 70-200. Your 24-70 should cover nicely for everything else (I think this was mentioned before). You should be set.

My recommendation isn't on the lens ... its to find a better beach to take your family to. Galveston is kinda nasty ... I have lived 45 mins away from Galveston for the last 10 years, and I've been to the beach twice just to hang out ... one of those times was just to photograph the destruction cause by hurricane Ike.
If possible, go down a little further to Corpus Christi or South Padre Island ... huge difference in beach quality! Not to mention some nicer photos!

When we go to the beach, the lens that stays pretty much glued to the camera is my longer zoom. I would say 90% of my beach vacation images are taken with that lens. So I vote for the 70-200.

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #10281561
Well, I'm not wanting a new camera, just to rent a lens. Not taking under water shots, just want some good, memories of my family. Thanks for the suggestion.

It was hard to tell from your post how close to water/sand etc that you would be.

If it were me bring my 7D, most likely I would have my 24-105 and 70-200 IS. But then I'm not very interested in taking my 7D to a beach...little bit too much sand and water possibilities for problems.

Good luck.

cubangixxer wrote in post #10281643
My recommendation isn't on the lens ... its to find a better beach to take your family to. Galveston is kinda nasty ... I have lived 45 mins away from Galveston for the last 10 years, and I've been to the beach twice just to hang out ... one of those times was just to photograph the destruction cause by hurricane Ike.
If possible, go down a little further to Corpus Christi or South Padre Island ... huge difference in beach quality! Not to mention some nicer photos!

lol...yeah I've been to it before too, its not an exotic beach by any means, but we aren't there for that. We did rent a beach house and we'll do some Galveston stuff, the beach is just there to play around with the kids a little bit.

We'll do some fishing too etc...it wasn't my choice, my wife and her mom set this all up, I'm just going along for the ride and will capture some pics. One of these days when my son is older we'll go to a nicer beach.

I would go with the 70-200. With the 24-70, this should compliment it nicely. Enjoy your vacation.

I'm surprised at all the PRIME users here who are suggesting me use the 70-200, guess there is a reason its one of Canon's most popular lenses.

For the beach I would suggest the 70-200mm.

You can photograph on a distance and it complements nicely with your 24-70mm.

Well, you already have up to the 24-70 range covered, and on a full frame 24mm is pretty wide. So my recommendation is either the 70-200 F/4 (not the 2.8 ) L because it's so lightweight, it's weathersealed (in case it drizzles a little) and it's very sharp. Since you'll be taking so many outdoor shots, why bother with the 70-200 2.8? It's twice as heavy (and cost more to rent).

But what I really think you should rent is the 100-400L. It's such a great lens. Granted it's worthless indoors if you are shooting anything that moves even a little, but outdoors it's amazing, especially if you stop it to 7.1. That's the magic number on that lens. It'll come out super sharp, good colors, and it can bokeh really well too.

Imagine how much cool stuff you can get with 400mm. You can get the oil tankers coming in (and crazy as this sounds, there are actually surfers who sometimes ride the waves created by the oil tankers...I kid you not...rent the film "Stepping Into Liquid" for footage of those guys in Gavelston riding tanker swells). With 400mm you can also get good shots of the ladies on the beach.

And I'm so glad you posted this thread, because I am going to the beach as well Saturday, and need to rent a good zoom. I'm either going for the 100-400 or the 70-200 F/4. Woohoo. Thanks for the reminder. I need to get online quickly and rent a lens.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #10281916
Well, you already have up to the 24-70 range covered, and on a full frame 24mm is pretty wide. So my recommendation is either the 70-200 F/4 (not the 2.8 ) L because it's so lightweight, it's weathersealed (in case it drizzles a little) and it's very sharp. Since you'll be taking so many outdoor shots, why bother with the 70-200 2.8? It's twice as heavy (and cost more to rent).

But what I really think you should rent is the 100-400L. It's such a great lens. Granted it's worthless indoors if you are shooting anything that moves even a little, but outdoors it's amazing, especially if you stop it to 7.1. That's the magic number on that lens. It'll come out super sharp, good colors, and it can bokeh really well too.

Imagine how much cool stuff you can get with 400mm. You can get the oil tankers coming in (and crazy as this sounds, there are actually surfers who sometimes ride the waves created by the oil tankers...I kid you not...rent the film "Stepping Into Liquid" for footage of those guys in Gavelston riding tanker swells). With 400mm you can also get good shots of the ladies on the beach.

And I'm so glad you posted this thread, because I am going to the beach as well Saturday, and need to rent a good zoom. I'm either going for the 100-400 or the 70-200 F/4. Woohoo. Thanks for the reminder. I need to get online quickly and rent a lens.

I like your advice on the f/4 lens, but that reminds me I might be able to borrow one of those from my wife's uncle who owns it, and not pay a cent! Very logical thinking though, outdoors, who needs 2.8?