[JohnR]

I've been thinking of getting a longer lens for more "reach." And also thinking about the time when I go "full frame" and the longest lens I have gets that much shorter...

My current favorite pick in the budget area is the Nikon 400mm f/5.6 AI (i.e. manual focus). This guy weighs in at a manageable 1400g. I would use it for some watersports photos and some (maybe, I'm not sure until I try it) birding. The fast telephotos are out of the budget, really, for the amount of use they would get.

Here is a shot taken with my 180mm f/2.8, which is my longest lens currently. I was out on the reef - I wouldn't normally be able to get this close.

Surfer at Avalon

[drphoto]

Any pro camera stores in your area that rent? Whenever I need a specialty lens, that's what I do.

I know some guys who work in major markets that own very little gear. They rent and charge it to the job.

The 180 2.8 is an really good lens. Very nice shot, excellent composition and I love the pool of warm light hitting the surfer.

[denjo]

JohnR

That is a simply beautiful shot of the surfer, caught at that right moment, illuminated by a spot of sunlight!! I have the Nikon 80-200/2.8 AF, my longest zoom, and its an incredible lens optic-wise.

Best regards
Dennis

[jqp]

Nikon 18-200mm VR lens on my D40. I love this lens - it always stays on my camera, which is usually in my backpack everywhere i go!

This is in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (40 miles south of Cancun) at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya where there are lots of photo opportunities!

Here is the wide angle shot at 22mm ISO 200 F/11






Here is the parasailing couple zoomed in 200mm






And here is Cozumel, which is 12 miles off the coast of Playa Del Carmen 200mm!





The full sized images are amazing

[ipy]

Yes, I 'm using a Canon EF100-400 on the 40D.  Unfortunately for the pics I take, I probably only use it at most 10% of the time.  Primes are better but obviously less versatile.

Here are some shots I took with the EF100-400 all handheld:
1) Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside (near Blacktown)

Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1600)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 320 mm
ISO Speed: 1250


Exposure: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 1250

2) Latin America Fiesta, Darling Harbour

Exposure: 1/5000 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 1000


Exposure: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 400 mm
ISO Speed: 1000

[thunderbrick]

Depends on how you define "long-ish".  In lenses, I mean.   
If you go much beyond 400mm the lenses will tend to be slow (especially if they are affordable) and therefore will be tough to hand-hold without practice.  I use a 300mm 2.8 and will add a 1.7 or 2x converter if I have to.  The lens I really want is a 600mm 4.5, but that will cost more than the last several used cars I've bought.  I missed one recently for $2,400.  Damn!

Anyway, I have a MF 800mm 5.6 lens that I use for wildlife, motorsports, and whatever suits my fancy.  When I need two of them I borrow the Nikon 800mm F8.0 lens that I sold to a friend of mine.  That lens was marketed in the early 1960's and is still a great performer.  I would urge anyone wanting serious glass to get a 2.8 lens if at all possible.  More expensive, heavier, yeah, but I choose my equipment to do a job, not just to be convenient.  The early Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 AF models can be bought at reasonable prices.

Now, can someone PLEASE tell me how to post some of my images to AC threads?

[nathanm]

Just paste the URL to the image inbetween [ img ] and [ /img ]

Code: [Select]

[img]http://somesite/image.gif[/img]

[Levi]

Hey John,

I'm not sure if you considered renting.  Here in New York, there are companies that allows you to rent camera equipment. This option may not be available where you live or work.  You may have to move closer to the subject instead.    Converter lenses works sometimes with some elbow grease.

Levi

[thunderbrick]

You can rent long or fast glass in St Louis at Schillers.  I think they charge $35 for an 80-200 2.8 AF for the weekend.  That's what my son does if I can't lend him mine for a shoot.

[JohnR]

Hi, so sorry, I started this thread and never responded to it!!

I have a 300mm now. But I'm still trying to learn how to make best use of the 180! I think the best approach is to simply whack it on the camera and go out shooting - no other lenses.

[thunderbrick]

Yup! That sounds like a plan.  I wish my students could "think" like one lens at a time instead of the damned zoom all the time.

[jqp]

My Nikon 80-400mm VR lens rental arrived today from LensRentals.

I will be doing some practice shots to see what ISO level I will need for sunny versus more shady shots.

This lens is a behemoth but fortunately it fits in my backpack. It does add 5lbs but that is not too bad for some serious photo-adventuring.

Wow, you can get close even without a tripod 

File Size:   3.41 MB
Image Size:   L (4288 x 2848)
Date Shot:   7/1/2009 20:22:53.00
Image Quality:   Jpeg Fine (8-bit)
Device:   Nikon D90
Lens:   VR 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6D
Focal Length:   400mm
Focus Mode:   AF-A
AF-Area Mode:   Auto
VR:   ON
Aperture:   F/5.6
Shutter Speed:   1/125s
Exposure Mode:   Programmed Auto
Exposure Comp.:   +0.7EV
Metering:   Matrix
ISO Sensitivity:   ISO 200
White Balance:   Auto, 0, 0
Color Space:   sRGB
High ISO NR:   OFF
Long Exposure NR:   OFF
Active D-Lighting:   Auto

Cropped, otherwise unretouched


This is the uncropped version

[Levi]

That looks great! 

Care to tell us how much is the rental?  I've considered rental as well specially if I intend to use the lens for a couple of days.

--Levi

[jqp]

This one

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF VR

was Subtotal:     $107.00
   Shipping:    $31.00   <--- prepaid shipping both ways FedEx 2nd day
   Total:    $138.00   for 14 days rental

(more expensive per day for fewer days)

[Levi]

Not bad.  Thanks!

[jqp]

Not bad.  Thanks!

Yeah it beats $1500 

[Mr Content]

I have the 70-200 2.8 lens, and a Nikon 2x teleconverter, I loose 2 stops, but that ok in daylight, and I can get pretty close.

Mr C