Lens suggestions for watersports.

ab2012

ab2012

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alan
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I spend a lot of time taking photos of dinghies and windsurfers, but my 18-55 doesn't seem to be long enough nor sharp enough.I want to get the boats zoomed but also want wide and sharp for the lake..Don't know if I'm asking too much :)
Suggestions appreciated as the kit lens doesn't do the job, even if I am new to the DSLR world.:)
Thanks in advance.
 
What's the location like? How far do you need to shoot from? Are you willing to get wet? Am a NIKON man so can't really advise on lenses but this might help others. I do a lot of watersports stuff and depending on the location my 18-55 is fine but other locations my 70-300 still doesn't have the reach.
 
The location is a reservoir and I position myself on the shore.The boats are about 150-300 m from shore.Depends :)
No intention of getting feet wet.
Don't get how your 18-55 is fine, but that's probably just me. I put a photo in the sports section.
 
Depends on your budget and if you want new or used.
Canon 100/400 ,Sigma 50/500 ( with or without OS) or Sigma 150/500, will all do the job and cost anywhere from £500 ish ( used siggy 50/500 non OS) to £1200 ish (new Canon 100/400)

Chris
 
*gulp* looks like it will have to be used with the lenses you mention.
What about the 55-250? Or are the ones you mention giving more clarity,width and greater zoom?
 
Unless you are going to get close, ie from the safety boat for example, in which case keeping the camera steady and dry become the issues, a long telephoto is the answer, this was shot from the beach at the International Moth Championships with a Sigma 150-500.

IMG_5703.jpg
 
artyman said:
Unless you are going to get close, ie from the safety boat for example, in which case keeping the camera steady and dry become the issues
Click to expand...

+1 for that!! Lol..

S
As I said in our other thread, the lenses above are your best bet.... You can pickup a 150-500 cheap enough. You really need the zoom to get the boats big enough in the photo. To be honest I think you will struggle to find a better lens than the 100-400 though...
 
Thanks,Ken.Whichever, looks like a heavy price to pay..Nice shot.
 
What do you mean by "cheap enough", Tom? Approximately.
 
ab2012 said:
The location is a reservoir and I position myself on the shore.The boats are about 150-300 m from shore.Depends :)
No intention of getting feet wet.
Don't get how your 18-55 is fine, but that's probably just me. I put a photo in the sports section.
Click to expand...

here is my flickr page if you want to take a look. You can check the exif data for info... http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_lea/

I sometimes get my feet wet though but it does make for some cracking shots!
 
ab2012 said:
What do you mean by "cheap enough", Tom? Approximately.
Click to expand...

Don't know Canon prices but nikon versions of the 150-500 non OS go for £500. In most cases with photography you can get away with cheaper lenses, but in this instance you have to splash the cash just to get the range, and the sigma 150-500 belive it or not is the cheaper option.
 
ab2012 said:
Some great shots there!How do I view the exif data?Sorry.
Click to expand...

If you click on the image you want then on the top right there will be a this was taken etc...... and if you hover over D5000 it will turn blue, click it and the exif data will pop up. :D
 
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