What lens to rent for an airshow?

Phazan

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Hi, I'm looking to rent a lens for an upcoming airshow but I'm not really sure which one. I don't want to spend a TON of money, i'd like to keep it around $40-50 maybe, but if there is a lens that's really worth the extra money I might be willing to pay more.
Basically what it comes down to though is the Canon 70-200 4.0L or the Canon 70-300 IS. I'd really like to get an L lens but is 200mm enough to get up close to the airplanes? Is the L lens a lot better than the non L?

Here is the link to the lens I can rent, take a look if you think you can help me.

Canon Telephoto Lens Rentals

Any help is appreciated, thank you!
 
You can shoot airplanes in the air with a 200 mm, but you're going to have to crop the snot out of it to get any kind of subject size in the final image.

I'd get as much reach as you can afford, like 500 mm.

The Sigma 150-500 and it's OS would work ok in daylight @ f/6.3. It's pretty beefy though at 4.2 lbs for the lens.

My second choice would be the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
 
get a 28-300mm IS L + a 1.4x teleconverter
 
I used my Sigma 100-300mm f4, but had to add my TC to get decent reach. You don't need a really fast lens if the weather is good.
 
the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
This will really get you the shots you want.

Keep in mind that you want a lens that is sharp as a tack because your best shots will prolly be cropped.

example
MilwAirShow976_edited-1.jpg
 
My second choice would be the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.

the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
This will really get you the shots you want.

Keep in mind that you want a lens that is sharp as a tack because your best shots will prolly be cropped.
WTF... that's my dream lens! :drool:
 
Of the choices from that site. The Canon 100-400 is the best bet. 200mm is too short for the aerial shots. For the ground stuff your going to want a wide lens, but guessing you already have that. Airshows don't fly if the cloud cover is too low or it's dark from stormy weather. So, having a very fast lens is not that important for the aerial shots. You should have plenty of light to shoot around f/8 or even f/11 even if cloudy.
 
Cool thanks everyone, looks like I'll be reserving the 100-400. I've never used such a nice lens before :D
 
At least the 300mm F/2.8, then you're talking. Anything else is hard to hand-hold or is of too low a quality.
 
Good glass is like narcotics though, addictive.

This is exactly why I won't rent good glass ... I'll come away from the experience NEEDING to buy. :lol:
 
Good glass is like narcotics though, addictive.

This is exactly why I won't rent good glass ... I'll come away from the experience NEEDING to buy. :lol:

Thats what happened to me. I was renting a MF Tamron 300 f/2.8 for a school year (about 2x a month). By the next fall I was an ever poor(er) student, but had a nice Nikon 300 f/2.8 AF lens all to my own. :mrgreen:
 
At least the 300mm F/2.8, then you're talking. Anything else is hard to hand-hold or is of too low a quality.

Are you joking? I have to get the absolute best lens or every other lens is crap? Haha
 
At least the 300mm F/2.8, then you're talking. Anything else is hard to hand-hold or is of too low a quality.

Are you joking? I have to get the absolute best lens or every other lens is crap? Haha

Nope, just that every other lens won't give you results as good. Doesn't mean other lenses cannot shoot a plane, it means that for size, a 300 is the biggest you can hand hold and still get excellent results. A 500mm prime is great... if your first name is Arnold. A 200mm lens is acceptable, but you will be wishing you could get closer.

I doubt ANYONE here will argue the fact that a mid-range 300mm zoom lens cannot give you the same results as a 300mm fast prime. Besides, we are talking rentals here too, that is a big factor.

So, what was the point of your post again? If it was to appear foolish... you've succeeded. ;)
 
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