Lense Advice

[Cobra]

Another little question for you experts...

Basically I think im gonna need a big lense for shooting aircraft, im thinking like 500mm. Sadly funds arnt that great so don't have much to spend. Found these two and they are both about

[Hagar]

Well, I'm no expert but I do use the 350D you asked about mainly for taking photos of aircraft, in the air if possible. To be honest f/8 seems a tad on the slow side to me. I think you might have problems in anything but perfect light conditions, especially at full zoom.

It obviously depends on the subject & how close you can get to it but for practical purposes I find a 70 - 300 mm lens suitable for most air display venues. I've been using a cheapo Sigma & I'm sure you've seen the results I've posted here during the season. I'm reasonably pleased with it but if I'd known what I do now I would have gone for the image stabilised Canon EOS version. http://www.cameradepot.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/CameraDepot/54018/1/1

I've been told that would suit my purposes better. Of course, I would go for a higher quality glass lens if I could afford it but that's not likely to happen.

[quote]Found these two and they are both about

[Woodlouse2002]

I suggest you either save up or aim lower. From what the reviews say you need a tripod to get decent results with that lense, so thats going to be next to useless for fast jets, or even slow ones.

Obviously anything you go for is going to be a compromise between focal length, cost and quality and as lenses go it's probably better to save the money on the length.

[Tweek]

There's no real need for 500mm, especially when you're lacking cash. I'd say go for a 400mm lens, or maybe even a 300mm with 1.6x or 2x converter (these can reduce quality slightly, however).

Now I'm no expert (as I don't have a dSLR), but

[F3Hadlow]

For

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Oh I know how hard it is to have to sit and wait, but that will definately be your best option right now.  Save up some more money to get a better quality lens.

As far as length, 300mm will certainly do you well.  Since you are low on cash, I recommend getting a zoom of some kind.  70-300 does quite well.  Why zoom?  It gives you a lot more options when taking photos.  

Especially with photography equipment, never buy anything that will only entertain you for your current skill level.  Always buy up!  Same goes for quality.  My personal motto for buying camera equipment is, "bodies come and go but glass lasts forever*!"  


*well... sometimes.

[Cobra]

Thankyou for all your advice guys, found all of it very useful

Think what im gonna do then, as suggested is go for a nice 70(ish) to 300mm lense, hopefully with a very low f point, so i can use it for all round stuff, but stick a 1.5 or 2X converter on if nessesary(which should bring me to f4.8 hopefully).

But like you say Hagar, you can't really go wrong at

[Hagar]

[quote]But like you say Hagar, you can't really go wrong at

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Oh one more thing too...

Since you'll be photographing airplanes, i wouldn't lose sleep over the speed of the lens.  There are many situations where you won't want to shoot over 1/125 to blur props/background.  My "Bigma" (Sigma 50-500mm) is pretty slow, F/4-6.3 and I haven't had ANY problems with that.  Heck, I've achieved crystal clear shots hand-holding that beast at 500mm and as slow as 1/50!

[Cobra]

I've been looking around Hagar, and found some bargains. (brand new though)

Sigma 135-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG Lens +UV =

[F3Hadlow]

I'm not a big fan of Sigma lenses personally, and that's just because of what I've seen from two of their more expensive pieces. Unfortunately now you've opted for Nikon I can't help with alternatives since I've no experience with them.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I have a Sigma 50-500mm and absolutly love it.  I also have a friend who has the 135-400 and he loves that one as well.

[Cobra]

hmmm very different opinions from you two?  ;)

I've read some reviews, and as you would expect from the prices, they are not the best lenses in the world, but im by far a not one of the best photographers in the world so I would hope they would serve me well.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

lol,  you'll find that among photographers.  

One thing to keep in mind regarding third party lenses (such as Sigma) is their quality control.  As I'm sure you've read from the reviews, sometimes you may get a poor version.  My friends and I have been very lucky with no complaints whatsoever.

And when push comes to shove, you just have to get what you want given your information and needs.  Many people told me not to get the Sigma 50-500mm and I am incredibly thankful I did NOT listen to that advice.  

All my point is that if you ask 100 photographers the same question you most likely will get 100 different responses.  

[Cobra]

OK cool. Well i think im going to have to go the Sigma route, its that or nothing lol I'll tell you how I get on, or even show you , being a camera and all ... just gotta wait a bit longer to get the last bit of cash togeher