Airshow beginner - Buying advice
Discussion
I'm going to be buying a new dSLR in the next couple of days, likely a Canon 450d.
As well as for general duties, for which I guess the kit 18-55 will suffice, I want to take in some airshows and motor races. As such, I'll need some glass with a longer range. As I'm on a bit of my budget, I appear to be looking at either the Sigma 75-300 APO or the Canon 55-250IS.
Which way would you go and is there something obvious that I'm missing. Should I be looking at a Sony or Nikon body instead?
Some people seem to suggest that IS is vital for the kind of stuff I want to do so having in-body IS on the Sony may make sense. Then again, the bodies don't seem to do that well in reviews.
As well as for general duties, for which I guess the kit 18-55 will suffice, I want to take in some airshows and motor races. As such, I'll need some glass with a longer range. As I'm on a bit of my budget, I appear to be looking at either the Sigma 75-300 APO or the Canon 55-250IS.
Which way would you go and is there something obvious that I'm missing. Should I be looking at a Sony or Nikon body instead?
Some people seem to suggest that IS is vital for the kind of stuff I want to do so having in-body IS on the Sony may make sense. Then again, the bodies don't seem to do that well in reviews.
back in 2006 I took my 350d and the canon 70-300mm MK2 USM. It did a very worthy job
you aint gonna get the shots that the lads with a 20k Sigma 700mm lens are going to get. The canon/nikon debate rests with what feels best in your hand. IS? If light is good, and in daylight you;ll be ok, you should be fine without it. remember a fast enough shutter that isnt too fast to freeze rotars etc. 1/250th should be ok
you aint gonna get the shots that the lads with a 20k Sigma 700mm lens are going to get. The canon/nikon debate rests with what feels best in your hand. IS? If light is good, and in daylight you;ll be ok, you should be fine without it. remember a fast enough shutter that isnt too fast to freeze rotars etc. 1/250th should be ok
I would stick with Canon or Nikon for the availability of second-hand, specialist and third-party equipment. Apparently the auto focussing on the lower end Canons is better than on the lower end Nikons, but I've not compared them myself. The lens will also have a part to play in autofocussing ability.
I've no experience of either of the lenses you mentioned but here are a couple of review sites:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
This forum has lots of example pictures:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.p...
Re. IS: it's least useful for subjects that are moving like aeroplanes because you're likely to be using a fast shutter speed anyway, say 1/750th to freeze a jet in action, or a slow shutter speed, say 1/100th to do a panning shot. The 1/focal length thing only applies to preventing the image from being blurred by camera shake. IS is more useful for static subjects though, so don't ignore it completely.
I've no experience of either of the lenses you mentioned but here are a couple of review sites:
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
This forum has lots of example pictures:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.p...
Re. IS: it's least useful for subjects that are moving like aeroplanes because you're likely to be using a fast shutter speed anyway, say 1/750th to freeze a jet in action, or a slow shutter speed, say 1/100th to do a panning shot. The 1/focal length thing only applies to preventing the image from being blurred by camera shake. IS is more useful for static subjects though, so don't ignore it completely.
RobDickinson said:
Theres no nikon body that'll measure up to the 450D for sports unless you can stretch to the D5000?
IS as said is at its least usefull but is always handy to have.
The 55-250IS is a good lens but 350 is a bit short.
Classic airshow lens is the 100-400L but thats pricey.
Hmmm.IS as said is at its least usefull but is always handy to have.
The 55-250IS is a good lens but 350 is a bit short.
Classic airshow lens is the 100-400L but thats pricey.
I don't really want to stretch for the D5000; I'd rather spend on decent glass instead especially as I have an option on a 450d kit for a decent saving.
I think I'm tending towards the Sigma for the extra reach. I guess the other option is the canon 75-300 IS but again its a little pricey.
While i'm sure the L is fantastic, I guess its overkill for a relative beginner.
I'd been advised to tend towards SH lenses and new bodies as the body is more likely to go wrong. That being said, I did find a 40d I played with very comfortable, even comapred to the 450d which was better than most things I tried.
I guess Jacobs or LCE are the places to look for good SH kit. Ebay, with the exception of the Canon Outlet store, doesn't inspire me with confidence.
I guess Jacobs or LCE are the places to look for good SH kit. Ebay, with the exception of the Canon Outlet store, doesn't inspire me with confidence.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... 450D - How Much To Sell For?
450D for £300 and spend the rest on a decent longer lens!
450D for £300 and spend the rest on a decent longer lens!
Going to give my new 40D a chance to show what it can do at an airshow or two this year. Before now I've only really taken along a compact, or years ago my old EOS 1000. I look forward to seeing what I can snap.
My choice of lenses is the standard 17-85 IS USM which I bought with the camera, or my 70-200 F4 L USM. This is the non IS model, but hope the conditions are bright enough that handheld is ok. Any thoughts?
My choice of lenses is the standard 17-85 IS USM which I bought with the camera, or my 70-200 F4 L USM. This is the non IS model, but hope the conditions are bright enough that handheld is ok. Any thoughts?
bobthemonkey said:
Right, went shopping today.
The 450d was very pleasant but a little small. Unfortunately, they (LCE) had just taken in a 40d with the 17-85 lens which they were selling for £700ish. Got an feeling I will be back there tomorrow morning and walk out with the 40d.
I'd take a 40D over a 450D any day of the week The 450d was very pleasant but a little small. Unfortunately, they (LCE) had just taken in a 40d with the 17-85 lens which they were selling for £700ish. Got an feeling I will be back there tomorrow morning and walk out with the 40d.
mainly cos of the better AF / build quality(Just fyi - warehouseexpress are selling the 40D + 17-85mm for £822.99 new)
Cheers.
pstruck said:
Going to give my new 40D a chance to show what it can do at an airshow or two this year. Before now I've only really taken along a compact, or years ago my old EOS 1000. I look forward to seeing what I can snap.
My choice of lenses is the standard 17-85 IS USM which I bought with the camera, or my 70-200 F4 L USM. This is the non IS model, but hope the conditions are bright enough that handheld is ok. Any thoughts?
I'd take both My choice of lenses is the standard 17-85 IS USM which I bought with the camera, or my 70-200 F4 L USM. This is the non IS model, but hope the conditions are bright enough that handheld is ok. Any thoughts?
Use the wider lens for the static display then the longest lens you have for the flying stuff.
Wouldn't worry about the lack of IS too much - if your shooting planes with propellers you need to pan and use a lower shutter to ensure you don't get 'prop freeze' anyhow
For fast-jets just use a fast shutter speed and bump the iso if needs be...You should get some better shots than with a compact eitherway
Cheers.
flat-planedCrank said:
RobDickinson said:
Not impressed with the 17-85 its not a real top quality lens BUT if the price is right it makes a decent alternative to the kit lens.
Just the new IS kit lens is opticaly better IMO.
I'd agree with that Just the new IS kit lens is opticaly better IMO.
the 17-85 makes sense as a kit lens - for the right priceGassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff