Long lenses - something for the weekend ?

dinners

dinners

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Kind of frustrated at the moment - perhaps just impatient......

I purchased a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM a few weeks ago and because of work and the time of year I've still not been able to do much more than test it works :bang:

Being more of a landscape kind of person and despite using smaller apertures (on wide / short lenses) I tend to use a tripod and longer shutter speeds - often at the tail end of the day so I've never really been restricted in terms of my photography 'time'.

Longer focal lengths and the type of photography I'm hoping to try my hand hand at are kind of new to me.

I know this isn't a 'fast' long lens but I already appreciate why fast long lenses are the choice of the pro and why high ISO performance is all the rage.

All the birdy / wildlife people (otherwise engaged during the day) must really look forward to the weekend and the clocks changing ?
 
I know what you mean I've been waiting for decent weather (sometimes months at a time in Scotland as you are well aware!) and for the motorsport season to kick in and I've been toying with the idea of selling my 300mm f/2.8 IS and getting a 5D Mk II and 85L f/1.2 II just for a change.

I'll probably ride it out and maybe get a 1.4 TC and 2x TC, but over the winter I do lose a bit of my mojo for taking pictures.
 
Laudrup said:
I know what you mean I've been waiting for decent weather (sometimes months at a time in Scotland as you are well aware!) and for the motorsport season to kick in and I've been toying with the idea of selling my 300mm f/2.8 IS and getting a 5D Mk II and 85L f/1.2 II just for a change.

I'll probably ride it out and maybe get a 1.4 TC and 2x TC, but over the winter I do lose a bit of my mojo for taking pictures.
Click to expand...

Never thought of motorsport (only because I don't do motorsport photography) but yes - I can imagine that you have the same issues as the wildlife guys.

People often say that landscape photography is more to do with the person than the kit and I can start to see why. Larger apertures aren't an issue and ISO doesn't have to pushed.
 
dinners said:
Kind of frustrated at the moment - perhaps just impatient......

I purchased a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM a few weeks ago and because of work and the time of year I've still not been able to do much more than test it works :bang:

Being more of a landscape kind of person and despite using smaller apertures (on wide / short lenses) I tend to use a tripod and longer shutter speeds - often at the tail end of the day so I've never really been restricted in terms of my photography 'time'.

Longer focal lengths and the type of photography I'm hoping to try my hand hand at are kind of new to me.

I know this isn't a 'fast' long lens but I already appreciate why fast long lenses are the choice of the pro and why high ISO performance is all the rage.

All the birdy / wildlife people (otherwise engaged during the day) must really look forward to the weekend and the clocks changing ?
Click to expand...

The clocks changing makes me less happy.
I love birding around dawn and in the morning - as we forge into spring & summer getting up that early becomes unrealistic for me.
 
RichardtheSane said:
The clocks changing makes me less happy.
I love birding around dawn and in the morning - as we forge into spring & summer getting up that early becomes unrealistic for me.
Click to expand...

That's my view of landscapes especially shooting a long way from home. A nice low sun for most of the day plus sunrise / sunsets don't mean leaving home at silly o'clock or getting home really late.

I'm just looking forward to having some daylight during the week for using my longer lens - something which I would be using closer to home.
 
big lenses imho are for explicit uses
general photography...and the most pleasing ...can be got with lenses up to 100mm...and no further
28-40 is a good range...(that is the 35mm measurements)
 
I'm certainly looking forward to the clocks changing, not so much for the photography but just to finally say goodbye to this dreadful winter. I want some sun. Whilst the golden hours are less friendly, at least the sunsets can be enjoyable without having to dress for arctic conditions.
 
You can get some nice landscapes with a long lens . . .
 
I agree with AWP, a long lens brings great opportunities. I have just bought a 300f4 with 1.4 converter for landscape work. Looking forward to messing around over the weekend.

As to weather, it does not come into it. Some of my best shots have been in the rain and overcast days. As John Gravett taught me, 'there is no bad weather in photography, just different opportunities'.

Regards

Chris
 
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