Worth Renting a Lens for the Mcrae?

inlineadam

inlineadam

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Adam
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Hey all,

I am going to the Mcrae STages ( a week on sat ).

For those who don't know what that is, it is a forest rally event.


I currently have a 20D and 55-250mm IS.

I know that the 55-250mm IS is a great lens, but i was wondering if it would be worth my while renting a lens out for the day to get some experience with it and hopefully achieve better results.

There's quite a few big names at the sages this year such as the Stig!


What kind of lens would i be looking at renting out, and where?


Glasgow area probably easiest access for me...

Cheers in advance :D
 
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hard one to call as it will depend on available light, would have thought constant 2.8 or f4 at max would be the best options if you are hiring
 
A 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II would be nice. Lenspimp or lensesforhire both carry the lens.
 
Laudrup said:
A 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II would be nice.
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It's a lovely lens, but do you need that much reach?

In our customer gallery we have this and this and this which were all taken with a 24-70mm f/2.8 L.

I don't know the layout of the rally you're going to, or what kinds of shots you're after, but if you end up quite close to the cars (as in these shots) then you might find that a 70-200 is too long.
 
StewartR said:
It's a lovely lens, but do you need that much reach?

In our customer gallery we have this and this and this which were all taken with a 24-70mm f/2.8 L.

I don't know the layout of the rally you're going to, or what kinds of shots you're after, but if you end up quite close to the cars (as in these shots) then you might find that a 70-200 is too long.
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Last time i was there i used a nooby dslr which had it's compulsary 70-300mm or so on it, and that was fine.

I get a little bit confused with the reach ( i'm still learning )... from what i believe? a 24-200 would have less reach than a 55-250?

If so 24-200 would be fine for reach
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I'm pretty sure the last time I went I was using a 17-55 f/2.8 and that was long enough....
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I suppose it's whatever floats your boat

The last couple times i choose a position where i could see 3 or so corners ( so i could enjoy the rally aswell )

And i found that having some reach allowed me to be able to catch the action on all 3 corners ( as anything can happen )

:)

My view on reach at these things :P
 
inlineadam said:
I suppose it's whatever floats your boat

The last couple times i choose a position where i could see 3 or so corners ( so i could enjoy the rally aswell )

And i found that having some reach allowed me to be able to catch the action on all 3 corners ( as anything can happen ) :P
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Hi Adam

Looks like you've decided on the lens reach you're after, not sure on the cost of hire, but could you hire the 24-70 and a 70-200 ??

Then you'd have all areas covered ???

Hope it's a great day, pity I can't get there...
 
andyred said:
Hi Adam

Looks like you've decided on the lens reach you're after, not sure on the cost of hire, but could you hire the 24-70 and a 70-200 ??

Then you'd have all areas covered ???

Hope it's a great day, pity I can't get there...
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think i'll have to settle on one only probably as it's looking at around £70 + i have travel etc which is going to set me back a bit... i'm purely going for the experience aswell ,( ofcourse i may get some shots that i could sell ! )

If i wasn't going to uni next year i'd have bought a 70-200 or something similar but i suppose i'll need to leave that for another time!

( Only 17 , i just love photography ! )
 
inlineadam said:
( Only 17 , i just love photography ! )
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Well, you probably won't be able to hire then, because you are legally a "minor" and that makes it essentially impossible to enforce the terms of a contract. For example, if you were to drop and damage the lens then the hire company would not be able to pursue you for the cost of the repair.

We require hirers to be 18 or over, and I expect all the other hire outfits do too. Of course, there's nothing stopping somebody else who is 18 hiring the lens and then letting you use it, but they'd remain technically responsible for it.
 
inlineadam said:
I get a little bit confused with the reach ( i'm still learning )... from what i believe? a 24-200 would have less reach than a 55-250?
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Correct, you will be able to zoom in further with the 55-250 so it has a longer reach. But keep an eye on how far you can zoom out if you get closer to the action or want photos of other people/things.
With the consideration of hiring another lens, try setting you current one to 55mm then 70mm while standing next to a car, see how far back you need to be to get it all in shot with some road either side. You may find you need to be much further away than you realise.
If this is as close as you plan on (will be) getting then it's fine. Also check the distance you need to be to get a full length shot of someone stood next to you.
 
StewartR said:
Well, you probably won't be able to hire then, because you are legally a "minor" and that makes it essentially impossible to enforce the terms of a contract. For example, if you were to drop and damage the lens then the hire company would not be able to pursue you for the cost of the repair.

We require hirers to be 18 or over, and I expect all the other hire outfits do too. Of course, there's nothing stopping somebody else who is 18 hiring the lens and then letting you use it, but they'd remain technically responsible for it.
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I did realise that, i'd of had someone hire it for me.

I think i'll just stick with my 55-250 mm IS this year, and see if i can work with the limitations and get good results.

Perhaps next year i will invest in another lens , or alternatively rent again :D
 
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