Lens for Showjumping

[bobiscuit]

I would like to try some showjumping/equestrian photography with my Sony Alpha A300.

The most common type of lens for equestrian photography seems to be something like a 70-200. Unfortunately I don't have the budget for any decent modern lenses.

I have an M42 adapter - would it be worth getting an old high-quality lens such as a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar MC 3.5/135mm?

Would a fixed length 135mm lens be too difficult to compose good shots with?

Will lack of autofocus make things too hard? My plan was to pre-focus on the jump.

I could possibly stretch to something like an old Minolta AF 70-210mm "Beercan" which would be a direct fit on the Sony and retain auto-focus, but at more than twice the price of the CZ and with a slower F/4 aperture - is it really worth it?

 

[Matt]

I think you need a variable lens tbh, a fixed lens is going to mean lots of positition changes etc

(see how I didnt do the obvious A Horse is best gag?)

 

[artona]

the 70-210 would be fine, a 300mm would be an ideal additional lens

 

[Marc]

Is this indoors or outdoors? Either way I would say that a 70-200 f2.8 would be the ideal choice but a 135 prime could works as longer as you are happy to zoom with your feet. A 70-210 beercan would be OK as well and, if outdoors in good light, the f4 should be fast enough. As for the autofocus, well you have probably answered your own question if you're planning to prefocus on the jumps.

 

[david1701]

I'd go for the beercan, MF is a bitch on a crop viewfinder, f4 will be enough for outdoors, nothing is enough for indoors

 

[purpleclouds]

I use my 70-200, the key to showjumping is getting in the right spot, to be able to shoot the best jumps (usually the double/spread ones)

 

[buckas]

70-200 f2.8

 

[bobiscuit]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Bit disappointing though! I was hoping to get some more encouragement for an old quality lens like the CZ, or something faster like a Super Takumar 135mm F/2.8 - Both of these lenses get very good reviews for sharpness with wide open aperture. I have a couple of cheap M42 lenses now, and while focussing isn't easy, it's possible.

A fast 70-200 really isn't an option - my budget would need to be 10 times higher.

Sounds like I should be looking at the Beercan then. Will the in-body IS work with it? If so, I guess it'll be fast enough to get decent shots...

 

[buckas]

hire one?

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f28-l-usm-6-p.asp

*edit* just seen your using sony, ignore that link

 

[Arkady]

It's difficult isn't it?
I remember using old film kit and the thought of covering an event with a manual-focus film camera horrifies me now...but we all did it...thing is that all photographers then were in the same boat, so it wan't an issue...
Now with multi-point AF and super-sharp glass, it's all a lot easier for us...

At the very least when covering a sporting event for 'real' you'll need a 70-200 f/2.8 to get closer to the action...though I remember sitting under a fence at an amateur equestrian even many, many moons ago...no H&S in those days...

 

[susie]

If you are just trying and out for enjoyment the 135 could get your shots, but a lot will depend on how the course is built! The 70-200 range is best as you get a better choice of which fence(s) you are going to shoot.

Arkady is not the only one to have been under the fence, I will have to look and see if I kept the results of my stint as the padding for the ditch, luckily I am still all in one piece and able to take pictures