Surf photography

[kalebbass]

Hi, I'm new here..

I'd like to know what people would recommend as a STARTER kit to do surf photography, I'm looking for something soon before I goto Morocco for a month.

I've got experience using several Canons, mostly used Canon 350d's with different lens. Although I have never used a lens I thought would be appropriate for surf photography.. Longest one I used was 300mm, not good enough.


So if you guys could recommend some good but affordable kit that would be great!

Thanks, kaleb

 

[table1349]

Here is what I would recommend.
Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) 5253B002 B&H Photo

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Telephoto Lens 5125B002 B&H Photo

Gitzo GM5561T Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod - Supports


FYI, a budget would help. Affordable is a realitive term.

 

[thetrue]

A 300 could work fine if you have enough resolution to crop a TON. I have a feeling that a full frame camera with a 400+mm prime would be your best bet, or use a 1.4x teleconverter with that same 300.

 

[TheBiles]

Surf as in "in the surf" or "of the surf from the shore?" Two totally different things.

 

[kalebbass]

Surf from the shore, I already have in the surf cameras

A lot of people keep telling me 300mm but where I live you can't get close enough to the waves.

My budget is around £500. But I was looking at 2nd hand gear.

What is a teleconverter? I've never used one

 

[TheBiles]

My budget is around £500.

You're probably not going longer than 300mm for under £500, especially if you need to get a body too.

 

[kalebbass]

Yeah like I said, I'm looking for basic kit that I can start experimenting with now before I commit to buying something more substantial

 

[thetrue]

A teleconverter is an attachment that multiplies the focal length of your lens. Mount that on your camera, mount the lens, and shoot

 

[KmH]

But a teleconverter usually diminshes image quality and apparent lens aperture.

You can find these used for about £500 - Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Camerasnt;" />

 

[TheBiles]

A teleconverter is an attachment that multiplies the focal length of your lens. Mount that on your camera, mount the lens, and shoot

Unless you're using a good extender with an already great lens, you're going to take quite the hit in image quality. Better off cropping, in my opinion.

Sent from my Droid DNA

 

[Mully]

Is it possible to rent what you need ??

 

[gw2424]

I would look at a Sigma 100-300mm f4. Your best bet will be to find some used, beat up high quality glass with great cropping power. I was (very) fortunate to mean a man at a beach with a 300mm f/2.8 non-is. Even though it was only 300mm's I was able to crop 50% and end up with great quality.

Surf Photos: Surf - a set on Flickr

-Gabe

 

[EIngerson]

Is it possible to rent what you need ??

Your budget would rent you some great gear.

 

[StandingBear1983]

I shoot surfing from a peer at 300mm (450mm crop) and its just close enough...if i had to shoot from the shore one would need at least 600 to get close shots...i had the idea of getting a superzoom bridge camera that shoots RAW (like the canon SX50 that has 1200mm zoom), it would be low quality compared to a DSLR but i don't have a 15k$ budget to spend on a 600mm lens...so you MIGHT get good enough shoots with good weather conditions with a bridge camera that shoots RAW...the only problem is the FPS you get with a DSLR that you don't get with bridge camera...so it will be harder to get the right shot, less spraying and more clicking at the right moment...

 

[Sarmad]

If you're low on budget then you can go for a super-zoom bridge point and shoot, such as Canon Sx50hs, Canon SX40HS and Nikon P510. It would have a little lame image quality, but it would be acceptable for low budget!

If you can afford than buy Sigma 100-300mm.....

But if your priority is occasional and for a short period of time then try to rent any good lens!