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Don B
Posts: 857 Officer
Canon EF-70-200 F/2.8I IS II USM
Don B
Posts: 857 Officer
I am looking to purchase a new lens for boat pics,(marlin, sailfish, Tarpon) mostly fast action high light stuff, I am thinking about the above lens, with out the stabilizer. Has anybody had any experience with this lens, or any recommendations for something else in this category?
Replies
you might want to try ef 70-300 IS USM which is a surprisingly good piece of glass and way cheaper...about $650 new...
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002
I will answer for Tim as he doesn't seem to be around.
At the distances you will be shooting Sails and Tarpon, yes, you can isolate the critter away from the background. As the subject moves farther from the camera the depth of field increases.
Maybe this little video will hep understand the concept - it is fairly clear. >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfwhjxK-cs#t=45
Another way to look at it, is you don't want that super shallow DOF anyway, because the critter is going to be wriggling all around and you want to keep it in focus. It would be harder to keep the critter in focus at f/2.8 at any distance close enough to you to be meaningful for you to even consider f/2.8.
As for shutter speed - today's cameras have such good high ISO that you don't have to worry too much about grainy, noisy photos at elevated ISOs. This fact has changed a lot in the last four years or so.
What body are you using, T3i, D70, D7? I suggest shooting in Sv, dialing in your shutter speed and letting the camera figure out the rest. Keep the camera on "Auto ISO." Dial in the shutter to 1/640-1/1200. That should be a good place to start.
Good luck and let us know who you do. Post a few and ask more questions.
Bob Markey
United Realty Group
www.WellingtonHomes.com
Sport, Event & Real Estate Photography
Palms West Photo
www.MarkeySportsPhoto.com
Since you are buying new, I would suggest a hard look at the 70-200 f/4 lens, as it is smaller and lighter than the f/2.8 lens. That is if you are really committed to the focal length.
Also, when I get back, I'm going to buy that 70-200 2.8 with stabilizer. a ,man just can't have too many toys.:dance
i have the f4 70-200 "L" IS USM...
it's a lot lighter piece of glass to lug around than the f2.8 is...
i have used the f2.8 and it is indeed a great piece of glass but i wouldn't buy either new....
i have posted too many times that i usuually end up grabbing my ef 70-300 f4-f5.6 IS USM more often than the "L" lense...
it's a really good piece of glass and a little bit more versitle with the extra 100mm...
as Craig said, at f4 or f5.6, you can work around the slower lens with higher iso, although i seldom shoot faster than iso 400, or have to...
tim
The Real White Dog
if you can't catch a fish...catch a buzz....
#12976, joined 8-17-2002