How conspicious is a 400/300 for non-pro use?

I was taking photos of my kid yesterday and 200mm just wasn't long enough. I've been thinking a long time about a 300mm or 400mm but I'm afraid I won't really be able to use it because it's a bit too loud. I'm sure you can all imagine how sensitive some parents would be if one parent was sitting on the side with a big white lens.

I'm wondering if anyone here owns a 300/400 and takes it to family type events and if so, if they've felt it was "impolite" in any way. I'm thinking mostly photos for my young kid (swimming, sports when gets older, plays, etc.).

I feel awkward as it is with the 70-200 f4.

I have to admit that I dont get reluctance people have to use gear based on its appearance. You might gather a bit of attention at first if you showed up with a long lens like that, but if you stick to shooting your kid, and perhaps sharing a few photos of his teammates with their parents you will soon become an asset to the team. I doubt the 300 is going to grab a significant amount of attention compared to the big white pipe that is the 70-200 2.8.

The 300F4IS is about the same size as the 70-200 f2.8 but looks bigger because of the white retractable hood.

Just get a lens cover in black or camo colours and put it over the lens and shoot away (a good large wellie sock also works pretty well also) Any parents that are the kind to complain of someone using a camera will complain no matter what lens you use and using a pro lens makes you look far more important

SunTsu wrote in post #10648895
I was taking photos of my kid yesterday and 200mm just wasn't long enough. I've been thinking a long time about a 300mm or 400mm but I'm afraid I won't really be able to use it because it's a bit too loud. I'm sure you can all imagine how sensitive some parents would be if one parent was sitting on the side with a big white lens.

I'm wondering if anyone here owns a 300/400 and takes it to family type events and if so, if they've felt it was "impolite" in any way. I'm thinking mostly photos for my young kid (swimming, sports when gets older, plays, etc.).

pick up the 300/4, problem solved.

IMO, stop caring about what other parents are thinking....

If you've got a kid out there, and want to get the shots you want to get, you'll need to use teh longer glass.

Perhaps you could even make a few sales if you find you're getting good keepers, and parents want some of their kids too.

pfft... i take my 70-200 Mk2 to all my kids stuffs... and no... i don't give a damn what other parents think...

but that's just me...

i also have a 100-400 that i plan to put to good use soon...

but honestly, yea, they will look at you... but heck... when you get some sweet pics out, it all makes it worth while...
and why not, if a fellow parent ask for a pic or two... i oblige...

oh, if you take out a 500mm lens or something... yea... um... lol...

Larger telephotos tend to get comments. Heck, I've even received comments using my 24-70mm. But who cares? Do you really want to look back 10 years from now and regret not getting those shots just because of what some random people might think?

Whatever odd feeling you have about that big lens should be mitigated by the fact that you are going to get really good photos. Folks shooting with polite P&S cams, cell phones, or even super zooms will probably be disappointed when they get home and look at their shots.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #10648982
IMO, stop caring about what other parents are thinking....

If you've got a kid out there, and want to get the shots you want to get, you'll need to use teh longer glass.

Perhaps you could even make a few sales if you find you're getting good keepers, and parents want some of their kids too.

+1. You may get a couple looks at first, but who cares. It's really just curiosity. I've used longer lenses at family events and games and no one really cares. They just figure you're a "real" photographer. And you can definitely make some money off shots of other people's kids. Parents love pictures of their kids. Or, just give them some photos for free. Then they love ya. Whatever floats your boat.

Wile_E wrote in post #10648927
I feel awkward as it is with the 70-200 f4.

Me too. I had a guy at the fireworks last night just go to town on me:

"How many weddings did you have to shoot to justify that yo yourself!"

and

"What do they call that fancy astronaut camera anyway?"


I was courteous to the guy, but I made sure to tell him that it was exactly what you would see sitting on the shelf of any big box electronics store that sold cameras that cost more than $99.
I see more and more DSLR all the time as they replace the superzoom P&S in the $500 category for many average family shooters. Someone needs to send out a memo that interchangeable lenses didn't die with film.

Impolite? Who cares.

I wouldn't get too worked up about having a long lens on. I went to a 4th of July Celebration and had my 400L on. I got a lot of looks and one person asked if I worked for the paper, but that was it.

The only risk you take is getting a parent that thinks you are trying to take pictures of their kids and gets really offended. I have heard of this happening, but I have gotten lucky so far.

I, also, wouldn't care what other people think. I practiced shooting motion in the sidelines at a soccer field, with my friends 70-200 f/, and I don't have or know any of the kids there. I rather be out in the open shooting them, then hiding in the corner somewhere with a long lens.