Discussion
I am thinking of getting this lens. Probably a used one, mainly for motorsport photography. What's the general opinion on this, am I making a good decision?
If anyone here uses one I'd love to see some photos. Only thing I'm slightly worried about is the f/5.6, although I'm guessing that it shouldn't pose too much of a problem..?
If anyone here uses one I'd love to see some photos. Only thing I'm slightly worried about is the f/5.6, although I'm guessing that it shouldn't pose too much of a problem..?
As if by magic...I'm about to put one up for sale.
It's my longest serving lens and I'm only getting rid as it doesn't have a place in my world tour plans where space & weight are at a premium.
I've mainly used it for airshows as it's pretty much the perfect length (although some closer flight lines like Shuttleworth can be too close).
I have used it for motorsport too though - from crowds, Thruxton, Brands and Silverstone were all fine, ok at press points at Donny too, ie a fair bit closer, although obviously a bit more work to frame as you're closer.
It's not THAT heavy either so you can handhold without too much of a problem. Not the swiftest at focusing, but then it is a few years old now.
Some random examples (I know web images aren't going to be amazingly representative, but still)
It's my longest serving lens and I'm only getting rid as it doesn't have a place in my world tour plans where space & weight are at a premium.
I've mainly used it for airshows as it's pretty much the perfect length (although some closer flight lines like Shuttleworth can be too close).
I have used it for motorsport too though - from crowds, Thruxton, Brands and Silverstone were all fine, ok at press points at Donny too, ie a fair bit closer, although obviously a bit more work to frame as you're closer.
It's not THAT heavy either so you can handhold without too much of a problem. Not the swiftest at focusing, but then it is a few years old now.
Some random examples (I know web images aren't going to be amazingly representative, but still)
The lens certainly won't, no. Assuming you're using focus lock and AI on the body anyway - I've never had a problem.
Might take a bit longer to lock in the first place, but that's only based on my being impressed with the 70-200 2.8 when I tried it in Calumet the other day. We're only talking milliseconds and the 70-200 is a fair bit newer.
Might take a bit longer to lock in the first place, but that's only based on my being impressed with the 70-200 2.8 when I tried it in Calumet the other day. We're only talking milliseconds and the 70-200 is a fair bit newer.
Edited by Famous Graham on Monday 11th February 02:16
)
I use the 20D and 400/5.6 for 99% of my motorsport shots, and at least 75% of the time I have the 1.4 Canon TC with taped pins attached too. Its plenty quick enough..
The only downside (if you can call it that) is you have to move around more for framing a shot over say a 100-400L user..
The only downside (if you can call it that) is you have to move around more for framing a shot over say a 100-400L user..
Piers_K,
The image quality of the 1/60th shot is magnificent. Much practice is needed for me to get shots that sharp, even at faster shutter speeds.
What do you mean by 1.4 Canon tele conv with 'taped pins'. Is this something to do with maintaining AF at smaller apertures? What do you do and how does it work, please?
Were you laying on the grass for the other Silverstone shots
Were they taken at Copse?
Thanks,
Scott
The image quality of the 1/60th shot is magnificent. Much practice is needed for me to get shots that sharp, even at faster shutter speeds.
What do you mean by 1.4 Canon tele conv with 'taped pins'. Is this something to do with maintaining AF at smaller apertures? What do you do and how does it work, please?
Were you laying on the grass for the other Silverstone shots
Were they taken at Copse?Thanks,
Scott
Thanks.. at that S/S there were a lot of wasted shots before it came good
XXd and XXXd bodies wont AF with lens above F5.6, and by adding the TC it takes it above that. By 'taping the pins' your breaking a connection between body and lens, and in effect the body doesnt know the TC is connected.. which then allows AF to continue to work.. The more light you have and the more 'contasty' the subject the quicker the AF is.. but after getting used to it Ive not found it to be much of a hinderance.
As for how to.. on the side of the TC that goes into the lens.. there are eleven small, round and raised contact pins, you simply put a small bit of electrical tape over the 3 pins on the far left.. or the opposite side to the 3 raised pins..
And yes the Silverstone shots were taken at Copse. I have laid down to get shots there, I prefer the look a lower perspective gives, but its more comfortable to slide under the scafold and sit down the slope, it just depends on the event, where the marshals are, and what mood they're in
XXd and XXXd bodies wont AF with lens above F5.6, and by adding the TC it takes it above that. By 'taping the pins' your breaking a connection between body and lens, and in effect the body doesnt know the TC is connected.. which then allows AF to continue to work.. The more light you have and the more 'contasty' the subject the quicker the AF is.. but after getting used to it Ive not found it to be much of a hinderance.
As for how to.. on the side of the TC that goes into the lens.. there are eleven small, round and raised contact pins, you simply put a small bit of electrical tape over the 3 pins on the far left.. or the opposite side to the 3 raised pins..
And yes the Silverstone shots were taken at Copse. I have laid down to get shots there, I prefer the look a lower perspective gives, but its more comfortable to slide under the scafold and sit down the slope, it just depends on the event, where the marshals are, and what mood they're in
Piers_K said:
Lol.. My first decent lens was the 70-200.. you can never have enough reach when your stuck behind the fence
Same problem on the other side. If you're up for a walk to Club, you can clear the whole fence by standing on the little hill (are there stands there yet?) just after the corner.Great, thanks for the explanation.
So by doing the tape thing, you can increase the length of zoom of the lens but light in is reduced as a result?
Sorry, may be a silly question, but what happens with lenses like the 'Bigma' which I believe has an F/stop of F6.3 at 500mm? That auto focuses. Or does it not matter when there is no TC attached?
I believe using a 1.4 TC adds 1 F/stop to the lens, is that correct?
So by doing the tape thing, you can increase the length of zoom of the lens but light in is reduced as a result?
Sorry, may be a silly question, but what happens with lenses like the 'Bigma' which I believe has an F/stop of F6.3 at 500mm? That auto focuses. Or does it not matter when there is no TC attached?
I believe using a 1.4 TC adds 1 F/stop to the lens, is that correct?
Sorry.. didnt make that totally clear.. the XX-X D bodies wont AF with a lens where the widest apperture is f5.6 or above (f8 etc)
The Bigma is ?F4.5? at 50..
I'd love to be able to tell you why.. for example.. you can use a 70-200 F2.8 and stop down to F32 on a XX-X D body but not get AF with the 400L F5.6 with a TC.. but to be honest... I haven't a clue
Yes.. the 1.4 TC costs 1 stop.. hence taking it over the F5.6..
The Bigma is ?F4.5? at 50..
I'd love to be able to tell you why.. for example.. you can use a 70-200 F2.8 and stop down to F32 on a XX-X D body but not get AF with the 400L F5.6 with a TC.. but to be honest... I haven't a clue
Yes.. the 1.4 TC costs 1 stop.. hence taking it over the F5.6..
Edited by Piers_K on Tuesday 12th February 18:17
Piers_K said:
I'd love to be able to tell you why.. for example.. you can use a 70-200 F2.8 and stop down to F32 on a XX-X D body but not get AF with the 400L F5.6 with a TC.. but to be honest... I haven't a clue
IIRC, its because the AF always operates with the aperture wide open. So even if your stopping the 70-200 f2.8 down to f32, the focusing the aperture is still f2.8 (hence the reason for the dof preview button).The AF 'limit' is f5.6, so with a 1.4x and the 400L f5.6 that takes the aperture smaller than f5.6 - it won't AF properly.
Cheers.
dGassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff