Messages

76

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 26, 2012, 07:52:00 PM »

Thanks to all who have commented and shared their opinions on a variety of alternative suggestions.

I already know how good the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II and the 300 f/2.8L IS are.  That's what I am currently using.  Their performance is stellar.  I also know that the focal length range I need is 70mm - 300mm.  It would be nice to have it in a single lens.  The 100-400 just won't do it for me.  I have owned that lens and know this from experience.

Corner sharpness is not critical for me in this application as you can see from the examples of what I am shooting that are posted below.  I know the 70-300L delivers excellent image quality as I have read and seen from images posted by others.  My concern is how quickly and accurately it will lock AF on subjects appearing suddenly and disappearing just as suddenly.  Often I only see the subject when clearing the top of a jump with only the sound of it coming as a warning.

I was hoping someone out there has used one in a similar situation and could comment on that aspect of the lens.

The images below should provide a sense of what I am dealing with.

77

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 26, 2012, 10:16:41 AM »

Lot's of great input.  Thanks, guys.

Brian, I checked this out with a friend.  For the record, when shooting in AV priority or manual mode, and the lens is set wide open at f/4 on the 70mm setting, it shows in the viewfinder as increasing as the focal length is increased, ending up at f/5.6 for 300mm.  When racked back, it starts to open up again, finally at f/4 on the 70mm setting.

As such, I'm guessing the available precision focus points will change as the focal length changes.

I'm now thinking the only way to find out if it will work well enough in a racing environment is to go with it and use it for a couple of races.  If it doesn't work out, I can always sell it to one of you guys here.   

Now I just have to wait a couple of months for the racing season to start.

78

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 06:52:12 PM »

Everything about the lens is a step down, one other thing I'd be careful of, is shutter speed.  Can you get the shutter speeds you want at f/5.6 compared with your 300mm f/2.8?

Certainly, the IQ is not nearly up to that 300mm lens, nor the 70-200 either.

This is a case where I'd rent one first before making such a huge downgrade.

DOF is an issue - however it is a variable apperture lens. Downgrade? mmm it has different strengths and weaknesses from the 300 f/2.8 of which the OP is trying to get away from towards a lens such as the 70-300L

IQ of the 70-300 is very,very close to that of the 70-200II in the 70-200 range - and it is a pound lighter as well which the OP sees as a benefit

Exactly.  Plus the benefit of leaving the 300/2.8 in the bag.

79

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 06:50:35 PM »

Last year I began photographing motorsports. I shot some super bike and GP car races on road courses and shot a lot of motocross and atv races. The gear I used was a 1D Mark IV along with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II and 300 f/2.8L IS with great results.

I am fortunate to have full access to the motocross and atv tracks and end up strolling all over the track for extended periods of time. After a while, the gear package I mentioned above starts to take it's toll on me due to the weight. I am looking at possibly utilizing the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS to reduce the weight while retaining the focal length range. I have no concerns regarding the image quality of that lens. I know it's excellent.

What does concern me is that given it's slower speed, will it AF fast enough and accurately enough? I have no concerns on the road races as there is usually a lot of time to lock on and track the vehicles. However, on the motocross and atv tracks, the first glimpse I often have of the bikes and quads is when they suddenly appear over the top of a jump. Immediate and accurate AF is an absolute must in these circumstances. My f/2.8 lenses perform beautifully in that regard, but will the slower 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS be up to the task?

Has anyone out there had any experience they can share using this lens in a similar environment? Your input would be appreciated.

Everything about the lens is a step down, one other thing I'd be careful of, is shutter speed.  Can you get the shutter speeds you want at f/5.6 compared with your 300mm f/2.8?

Certainly, the IQ is not nearly up to that 300mm lens, nor the 70-200 either.

This is a case where I'd rent one first before making such a huge downgrade.

From what I can see in the online reviews, the IQ should be more than good enough.  It looks like it's not far behind my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II.

Shutter speed should not be a problem.  Usually there is a lot of light, shooting outdoors.  Besides, I can crank the ISO on the Mark IV pretty high with excellent results.

80

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 06:47:53 PM »

What does concern me is that given it's slower speed, will it AF fast enough and accurately enough? I have no concerns on the road races as there is usually a lot of time to lock on and track the vehicles. However, on the motocross and atv tracks, the first glimpse I often have of the bikes and quads is when they suddenly appear over the top of a jump. Immediate and accurate AF is an absolute must in these circumstances. My f/2.8 lenses perform beautifully in that regard, but will the slower 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS be up to the task?

Not only has it got fast AF but the light weight of the lens means you can twist and turn quickly

I can certainly use all the help I can get to twist and turn quickly.  In less than two months I will be 70 years of age with lots of arthritis. 

81

Lenses / Re: Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 06:46:36 PM »

I haven't been in those situations with my 70-300L but I have to say the AF speed is extremely fast, and has no problems for me tracking birds in flight. i would say you will have no problem whatsoever with it's AF speed in those environments.

Thanks for the input.  I regularly shoot birds in flight also but usually there is more warning and more time to get the bird in the viewfinder than many situations with MX and ATV racing.

82

Lenses / Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS for motorsports ??????????

« on: February 25, 2012, 04:27:02 PM »

Last year I began photographing motorsports. I shot some super bike and GP car races on road courses and shot a lot of motocross and atv races. The gear I used was a 1D Mark IV along with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II and 300 f/2.8L IS with great results.

I am fortunate to have full access to the motocross and atv tracks and end up strolling all over the track for extended periods of time. After a while, the gear package I mentioned above starts to take it's toll on me due to the weight. I am looking at possibly utilizing the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS to reduce the weight while retaining the focal length range. I have no concerns regarding the image quality of that lens. I know it's excellent.

What does concern me is that given it's slower speed, will it AF fast enough and accurately enough? I have no concerns on the road races as there is usually a lot of time to lock on and track the vehicles. However, on the motocross and atv tracks, the first glimpse I often have of the bikes and quads is when they suddenly appear over the top of a jump. Immediate and accurate AF is an absolute must in these circumstances. My f/2.8 lenses perform beautifully in that regard, but will the slower 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS be up to the task?

Has anyone out there had any experience they can share using this lens in a similar environment? Your input would be appreciated.

83

Lenses / Re: Help choosing a new medium tele prime

« on: February 24, 2012, 07:46:54 AM »

Don't overlook the Canon 100 f/2.  Compared to the 85 f/1.8 it exhibits far less color fringing and is sharper.  There will not be a noticeable difference between f/1.8 and f/2.  The cost difference is not that great.

Here is a link where you can see the performance of the lenses side by side.....

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=106&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=1&LensComp=118&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

84

EOS Bodies / Re: Tastes Great...Less Filling

« on: January 28, 2012, 06:03:21 AM »

None of the above.   

I shoot with a 1D Mark IV and it does everything I ask of it.  More than enough pixels to stand up to heavy cropping when needed.  We should pay more attention to the use of good glass and worry less about more pixels.

Just one man's opinion.   

85

PowerShot / Re: Canon G1 X image aspect ratios

« on: January 19, 2012, 12:50:01 PM »

In-camera cropping is almost certainly available.  My S100 can do it...

I think that would be a nice feature to have.  Wish I could do that with my 1D Mark IV.  Very handy for landscape work or portraits.

86

PowerShot / Canon G1 X image aspect ratios

« on: January 19, 2012, 08:40:11 AM »

The Canon website shows the following information in the specifications for the G1 X camera.....

Number of Recording Pixels
Still Images:
[16:9]
Large: 4352 x 2448, Medium 1: 3072 x 1728,
Medium 2: 1920 x 1080, Small: 640 x 360

[3:2]
Large: 4352 x 2904, Medium 1: 3072 x 2048,
Medium 2: 1600 x 1064, Small: 640 x 424

[4:3]
Large: 4352 x 3264, Medium 1: 3072 x 2304,
Medium 2: 1600 x 1200, Small: 640 x 480
RAW: 4352 x 3264

[1:1]
Large: 3264 x 3264, Medium 1: 2304 x 2304,
Medium 2: 1200 x 1200, Small: 480 x 480

[4:5]
Large: 2608 x 3264, Medium 1: 1840 x 2304,
Medium 2: 960 x 1200, Small: 384 x 480

Would this indicate that in-camera cropping to these aspect ratios is available?  If not, what would be the purpose of publishing such information?

87

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 300 f/2.8L IS

« on: December 29, 2011, 09:18:15 AM »

Nice action shots! I like nr 2,5 and 7.
Thx for sharing.

Edit: Nr 1 is also great!!

Thanks a lot.

Shot with your 7D I presume ?

Nope.  All shot with my Mark IV.

88

Lens Gallery / Re: Canon EF 300 f/2.8L IS

« on: December 29, 2011, 05:14:44 AM »

To say that I love my 300 f/2.8L IS would be a major understatement.  If it was not for my wife, I think I might actually sleep with this lens.   

I wouldn't, it's a bit hard when you roll over . Nioce shots, were those shots with a monopod or handheld? I find it's ok for short periods handheld, but it is on the heavy side when you can't put it down for a rest every now and again. Mine usually has a 1.4x extender attached for wildlife.

Thanks.  These were shot hand held.  I find moving around the track with a monopod or tripod too restricting.

89

Lens Gallery / Canon EF 300 f/2.8L IS

« on: December 28, 2011, 11:19:16 AM »

To say that I love my 300 f/2.8L IS would be a major understatement.  If it was not for my wife, I think I might actually sleep with this lens.   















Thanks for looking.

90

Lenses / Re: Pre CES Announcements

« on: December 21, 2011, 01:42:30 PM »

What got my interest when they first announced it was in development is the EF 200-400 f/4L IS 1.4x.

For me, that would be a killer lens, and handle a lot of the subjects that I most often shoot.

However, given the features and specs of that lens, I would speculate that it will weigh in at around 7 lbs. or more and carry a price tag of between $8,000 and $9,000.  I'm guessing that price range based on what Nikon prices their 200-400 at and add in the feature of the built in 1.4xTC.  That along with what we see of the pricing on the new Super Telephotos introduced by Canon.

Unfortunately, if I'm correct with my speculations, it would be a deal breaker for me as much as I'd like to own one, and I would have to stick with my 300/2.8L IS and 1.4xTC along with my 70-200/2.8L IS II.

Why oh why was I not born rich instead of good looking.