What lens to rent for an airshow?

[Phazan]

The point of my post was asking you if you really thought there was only one lens that would be good enough for an airshow. I want something really nice, but that doesn't mean I have the same standards as you. A cheap $200 telephoto lens would even be better than nothing, considering the closest I can go with what I own is 85mm

 

[GeneralBenson]

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.

Jerry, I feel like you should take the whole PACT thing out of your signature if you're still going to be a prick to people. Bottom line is he's not shooting this air show for TIME magazine. You're right, no one would argue against the fact that you'll get better results witha 300/2.8 than you would with a 100-400. In the same way, no one would argue that a Ford Mustang is a better sports car than a Lamborghini Murcielago, but if all you want to do is drive a fun sporty car on your vacation, and you usually drive a minivan, just rent a Mustang and it will be all the sports car you need.

 

[uplander]

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.

Once again Jerry ...your talking out of your (you know what) The MX3 shot above was with a canon EF400 f/2.8 L handheld. Lens and camera 15 Lbs. and is doable. Most folks can shoot a 500 f/4.0 handheld. I shot the 400 f/2.8 two days in a row for about 4 hours a day. yes it's work and you feel it later.

The 100-400 is also a great lens for airshows. Tell me how much time you have had shooting these lenses to make such matter of fact statements.

Stick to your little lenses , strobes and spare us the I am a photo god tude.

 

[uplander]

Wow ...No rejoinder...must have hit his soft underbelly.

 

[iflynething]

Sigma 50-500. No need to crop. Wide enough to get large fly-bys but you can zoom in enough to get the tight shots.

I shot one on a D80 and was able to ALMOST read the pilots name on the side of the plane

~Michael~

 

[Montana]

I think the 100-400 would be the most versatile and has excellent IQ. I own the Sigma 50-500 myself, but IQ is not up to par with the 100-400 Canon. If you do not want a zoom, you can get a slow prime that sves on weight.

jerry's advice was rediculous, no reason to rent a 2.8 prime. Granted, Canon's fast primes are top notch but you won't need the speed. Save some money and rent the 100-400.