Lens for horses

There's no such thing as a lens for horses per se. What you need to do is work out what sort of shots you want to take, and from what distance, and that will give you a very rough idea of the focal length that you need. I've seen equine shots taken with basically everything from a 10mm up to a 600mm.

What have you got already?
 
I'm not sure there's a definitive answer to that, a few more details would help. Is it an equine portrait or horse in action etc?

What Mark says, he types faster than me!
 
as above portrait or action?

we've got sigma 50mm f1.4, canon 24-105 f4, sigma 70-200 f2.8 and if its a large arena for action the sigma 120-300 f2.8.

so yeah, depends really what youre after :lol:
 
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Oooh - one point that's with noting if you're going to get up close and personal with a short FL lens...

a) be prepared to move sharpish as your lens might get nibbled or licked

b) some horses equate the large single 'eye' of a lens to that of a predator (a lot of animals do) and can get spooked by it. If the horse you are taking pictures of spooks easily, acclimatise them to it first with lots of reassurances and preferably the owner present before getting too close!
 
also (not lens related really) take a 2nd person (or use someone on site) and have with you a small tupperware pot, fill it with horse treats so that it rattles to make the ears point forward.

doesnt always work mind, we have had to resort to a 100cm reflector to get attention before :D
 
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I use the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX HSM non OS for both portrait and action, mainly for the action side. These can be picked up for circa £400 second hand (mk2).

I use the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/2 for the static portraits as well.

For your budget I'd go for a used Sigma as above and the 50mm which can be had for £70 new. That would be a good combination IMO for what you need to start with, then maybe think about a mid range fast prime for the really, really dark stuff.

Outdoors, the Canon 55-250 IS is very good. I see you have a 55-200 in your post but this does not exist ?
 
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yeah the sig 70-200 is very versitile as a portrait and mid zoom action lens. its certainly got us some really nice images of both type.

you could sell off the 55-250 (if that is the lens you have) also, youll lose a bit of length and IS but overall IQ should be better.
 
odd jim said:
I use the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX HSM non OS for both portrait and action, mainly for the action side. These can be picked up for circa £400 second hand (mk2).

I use the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/2 for the static portraits as well.

For your budget I'd go for a used Sigma as above and the 50mm which can be had for £70 new. That would be a good combination IMO for what you need to start with, then maybe think about a mid range fast prime for the really, really dark stuff.

Outdoors, the Canon 55-250 IS is very good. I see you have a 55-200 in your post but this does not exist ?
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sorry, my error 55 x 250
 
And what type of mount do they have.... ;) :exit:
 
DemiLion said:
There's no such thing as a lens for horses per se. What you need to do is work out what sort of shots you want to take, and from what distance, and that will give you a very rough idea of the focal length that you need. I've seen equine shots taken with basically everything from a 10mm up to a 600mm.

What have you got already?
Click to expand...

what i should have said was a lens suitable for horses. what i will do it visit the stable yard this weekend and talk to them and see what they want.
 
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