Great white lens overkill for a graduation?

[takesome1]

I took my camera to two of my sons HS graduations. I do not regret shooting the graduation. I have shots that the event pro would never take. I treasure those pictures. My kids tolerate it because I am Dad, and I am who I am. Hopefully soon at least one will have a degree so I can shoot their College graduation.

Here is my take. The graduation of a son or daughter is a big day for them, and for you. You spent hopefully no more than 18 years getting the kid ready for a HS graduation, and even more years for college graduation. It is your day as well, enjoy to. You spent massive amounts of cash, grown old and have grey hair getting the child to this point. You have earned the right to enjoy it how you see fit. As they cross the stage and are handed a degree that you have spent thousands on your picture will be well worth it. If you want to spend that day sitting and watching, that is your choice, you have earned that as well.

Now a shot I recommend that no event pro will provide you. I had both of my sons as they stood on the floor with everyone else at the end, turn and face me in the stands and hold their diploma up in victory. The narrow DOF of your child standing in a crowd that fades OOF around them is priceless.

 

[dhr90]

I thoroughly agree with those who have suggested asking the graduate what they want or mind you doing.

I had my BSc graduation a few years ago, and I didn't mind my dad using his 300 f4 from the audience, but I would have objected to him bringing a 300 f2.8, whilst we are both photographers, I would have been embarrassed about it. His shot was decidedly average and he missed the moment of me on stage shaking the Dean's hand. We got the professional photos which were much better given the lighting and positioning.

But the shots I really value and go back to look at with real fondness are the before and after with family and friends, both staged formal ones with whatever nice background we could find and just the ones where we are laughing and having fun before bidding each other farewell. Those were all taken with a Nikon 15-85 or something like that.

 

[Andyx01]

You may want to avoid using a prime and go for a more flexible fast zoom like the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8

 

[TexPhoto]

400mm f2.8 would take awesome photos!
if you are in the right location.
Ad is so big and heavy it will overshadow your presence at the event
The people you are with will want to be with you a whole lot less :'(

Sounds like something I would do….

 

[Ozarker]

Depends a bit on the school. If it's at a top tier school then by nature, the families will have a little more money and not be "impressed" by anything.

The attention is another thing because 100%, people will stare at you regardless of the school. I used to take my 200-400 to my kids' skating lessons but my wife made me stop bringing it because it was drawing too much attention.

I read a lot about the "attention" people get when carrying a big white lens. Frankly, I don't get it. I just don't. I am not knocking what you say, just that I don't get it. If I buy a lens, it is for a specific purpose. I wish I had the money for good camera gear when my daughter was in the High School band many years ago or when she was a semi-pro mountain bike racer, etc. I wish! Leaving the lens at home because it was drawing "too much attention?" I just don't get that. What kind of attention? People watching you take photos? You were going to get mugged and robbed at the skating rink? It embarrassed the wife that you were taking photos? And what is with this "impressed" stuff? The average person on the street has no idea what the gear costs or even what it is.

Heck: To the OP... Life is short and if you want to take photos with a great lens and don't bother anyone else---> Go for it and have a blast! It's your camera and you will be the one borrowing the lens. I wouldn't worry what anyone else thinks, whether or not they are "impressed", what school it is, or whether carrying it around draws attention. Have fun and enjoy life. I wish you the best of luck and happy shooting.

 

[Ozarker]

You may want to avoid using a prime and go for a more flexible fast zoom like the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8

A fast zoom would be more practical.

 

[applecider]

You might check with the venue if they allow or forbid any specific photo equipment. The few chances that I had to attend events like you are describing I got stopped at the door by security because of a 70-200 small big white. I had the riot act read to me about being in the stands with it.

Any how worth a check it's a pain to wait in a line only to be scolded or turned away because of a rule that is surely not prominent on the ticket.

 

[No Mayo]

My choice as a photoDad at 3 graduations was to leave my 400 2.8 at home because I felt that it would be too large to lug around while following my grad before and after the ceremony. I instead took my 200/2 (still pretty large) and 35 1.4. The 200/2 fits nicely in a small backpack while I was shooting the before and after stuff mainly at 35 focal length. The 3rd grad was out of town and I took the 70-200 2.8II, 35 1.4, and 14 2.8. This turned out to be a great decision as this was a very tight and crowded arena. My knees were just behind the persons head in front of me and I had to be very careful not to obscure anyone else's view by sitting back in my seat and keeping the camera close to my face and torso. I made friends with the person that was the most affected by my presence and emailed them shots of their son. This is my main point. If you are penalizing any strangers with your photo girth, ask politely for their understanding and offer to shoot for them as well. The man sitting next to me was thrilled to get the files that I emailed to him and he felt like he won by being seated next to me. So whatever you take, just be considerate of those around you and make sure that you aren't hobbled too much with your lens choices.

 

[JonAustin]

... sort of like the uncle who brings all his gear to a big wedding that already has a photographer.

Hey, wait a minute, I'm that uncle!! Well, sort of. I don't bring all my gear!

I am the more-or-less official family photographer, probably by default, since I have the most gear and am also the most shameless (least bashful?) about using it. That said, while I do carry, I don't shoot if no one else in the audience is doing so, or if it would be inappropriate / cause a scene. I "let the spirit move me." While not always discreet, I do make a concerted effort to be appropriate to the venue and occasion.

My sister's youngest is graduating from high school next month, and I've photographed each of his older siblings' HS grad ceremonies, so it might be perceived as a snub if I skipped his. My sister is very appreciative of the photographs, even if the kids aren't. I just try to get one or two shots of the processional, one of them walking across the platform to receive their diplomas, and one or two during the recessional. Then I switch to a "normal range" zoom, and shoot all the post-ceremony shots they request with their friends and family.

I used to use a 70-200/2.8 + 1.4x TC, but the school has a new campus and larger auditorium, and so I'm eager to put the 100-400 II through its paces. (I have used flash in the past, and will be doing so this time, as well, unless there's been a policy change.)

I may have the biggest, whitest lens in the audience, but I'm far outnumbered by the sheer volume of cam-phones and P&S wielders who flash away non-stop.

To the OP: Go for the 200-400!

 

[JonAustin]

I made friends with the person that was the most affected by my presence and emailed them shots of their son. This is my main point. If you are penalizing any strangers with your photo girth, ask politely for their understanding and offer to shoot for them as well. The man sitting next to me was thrilled to get the files that I emailed to him and he felt like he won by being seated next to me.

Awesome!

 

[Al Chemist]

My 2 cents...I tend to try to keep a low profile in my Grandkid events so I use my 6D with the 135L f2. The pictures are highly appreciated by my daughter! On the other hand, I would go with whatever equipment you are comfortable with...these are once in a lifetime events!

Alan, congratulations to your daughter on the MS in Chemistry. Old chemistry professor here...she should get a laugh out of my login name.

Richard

 

[Chisox2335]

You may want to avoid using a prime and go for a more flexible fast zoom like the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8

I seriously hope this is sarcasm not transferring over the Internet well.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

You may want to avoid using a prime and go for a more flexible fast zoom like the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8

I seriously hope this is sarcasm not transferring over the Internet well.

Why? Depending on the environment, the Sigma 200-500 may be just the range desired.

 

[scyrene]

Maybe I'm weird, but I'm glad of the times I took a camera to events - but then I don't go to many. I love looking back at photos that capture things I couldn't possibly remember, and actually regret not doing it more. Of course, you're not living in the moment as much. If it's something you want to enjoy totally, I wouldn't take a camera at all (except a phone). Otherwise it can be a valuable record - but then I'm prone to nostalgia

 

[Deleted member 7828]

I have to agree. There are times where I just said "screw it" and went all out...and then there have been many other times where I compromised and took either a smaller camera or no camera at all...

Personally, I would be a bit hesitant in an environment like that, but then again, I am the type that typically doesn't LIKE to draw attention to myself...it just so happens that it's occasionally a side effect of the camera setup necessary to get the level of shots I want. Groan...

I find that the attention isn't necessarily bad or negative, at least in the vast majority of cases. It does get old though explaining again and again that I am not an official shooter, part of a media outfit, etc.