Renting a lens

BBones

I have found a local retailer rents out the big Canon lenses and I want to try one out. Should I try the 400mm 2.8 IS and attach my 1.4x TC to it for just simply maddening range

OR

Should I rent the 100-400 4.5 and see about getting the TC to work with it?

I have the 70-200 IS L 2.8 now and use the 1.4x on it so I am at/over 400mm when you do the math on the 1.6x crop on the 20D.

I really want to high detail zoomed in shots of riders coming head on at me and the 70-200 isn't enough to keep me safe.

Seymore

If you're talking bikes... I'd suggest the 400 with the TC (if you need it). I just got a 300/2.8, and plan to shoot the AMA at PPIR this weekend. But, don't forget to carry something smaller. You may find the reach of the 400 to much for some shots you may want to take.

So, what are they charging for a day with the 400?

Matthew Saville

They SHOULD charge no more than $30-40 for the big guns...

I believe that if you find a spot that's perfect, and you can manage to nail each rider, definitely go with the 400/2.8 because that is just simply a lens that will blow your mind. USM, AF, that ridiculously bright / fast apeture, IS, you will love the fact that you can rent a lens this nice for such a low price.

However, (at least with nikon's equivalent lenses since they both have a 400/2.8 and a 100-400) I find that I more often rent the 100-400 simply because I'm not as good as some when it comes to "finding a spot that's perfect, and managing to nail each whatever..." If it's bright daylight, you don't have to worry about needing such a wide apeture. However, the drawback with the Nikon 100-400, (oh wait 80-400, oops) is that it's not SWM (USM) and so it's absolutely frustrating to shoot fast paced things with my non high-powered AF body. On the other hand, the Canon 100-400's drawback is that it's a push-pull design, which I hear over and over is nasty for DSLR's because it stirs up dust in the camera that can get on the sensor.

So in either case, the 400/2.8 is going to be more fun, if you're good at shooting at a single (well okay two with a 1.4x) focal length. So at least give the 400/2.8 a try someday. You'll love it.

-Matt-

BBones

Looks about $25/day for the 100-400 and $80 for the 400 IS L 2.8.

Matthew Saville wrote:

They SHOULD charge no more than $30-40 for the big guns...

I believe that if you find a spot that's perfect, and you can manage to nail each rider, definitely go with the 400/2.8 because that is just simply a lens that will blow your mind. USM, AF, that ridiculously bright / fast apeture, IS, you will love the fact that you can rent a lens this nice for such a low price.

However, (at least with nikon's equivalent lenses since they both have a 400/2.8 and a 100-400) I find that I more often rent the 100-400 simply because I'm not as good as some when it comes to "finding a spot that's perfect, and managing to nail each whatever..." If it's bright daylight, you don't have to worry about needing such a wide apeture. However, the drawback with the Nikon 100-400, (oh wait 80-400, oops) is that it's not SWM (USM) and so it's absolutely frustrating to shoot fast paced things with my non high-powered AF body. On the other hand, the Canon 100-400's drawback is that it's a push-pull design, which I hear over and over is nasty for DSLR's because it stirs up dust in the camera that can get on the sensor.

So in either case, the 400/2.8 is going to be more fun, if you're good at shooting at a single (well okay two with a 1.4x) focal length. So at least give the 400/2.8 a try someday. You'll love it.

-Matt-

Steve Cavigliano

BBones wrote:

Looks about $25/day for the 100-400 and $80 for the 400 IS L 2.8.

Brandon,
That sounds about right. I believe K&S charges like $100/day for the 400mm F2.8/500mm F4. Those $30-40 prices sounded a bit too low for lenses that cost this much. FWIW, K&S rents the 100-400mm for $30/day.


Steve

mercphoto

BBones wrote:

I have found a local retailer rents out the big Canon lenses and I want to try one out. Should I try the 400mm 2.8 IS and attach my 1.4x TC to it for just simply maddening range

OR

Should I rent the 100-400 4.5 and see about getting the TC to work with it?

I have the 70-200 IS L 2.8 now and use the 1.4x on it so I am at/over 400mm when you do the math on the 1.6x crop on the 20D.

I really want to high detail zoomed in shots of riders coming head on at me and the 70-200 isn't enough to keep me safe.

That was a good rental price. My local camera shop charges $50 per day for the Canon 300/2.8L, and its NOT an image stabilized version. Yuck. I have to admit though, its often rented at that price.

You are talking about fast moving bikes. Get the prime. I know several people who use the 100-400 for motorsports, but ALL of them pre-focus to use the lens. The AF is simply not fast enough a focusing motor to track motorsports. And try the 1.4 with the prime, but don't be surprised if you don't need it often.

Seymore

BBones wrote:

Looks about $25/day for the 100-400 and $80 for the 400 IS L 2.8.

Ahhhhh... Using Glazer’s Camera? I know someone here (Colorado) who rents from them when he shoots in Washington. That price is inline with what I can rent a similar lens in Denver for. Go for it man!

So, what's the event you're shooting?

BBones

I shoot all the motorcycle events here, WMRRA, NESBA, and other track events and schools. I prefer motorcycles to cars due to the fact that you can get different body leans on the same turn, cars....it doesn't matter how much he leans it ain't goin no where.

And yes, it is through Glazers that I am looking at. And $80 is much cheaper then the $6000 that the 400 IS L 2.8 costs.

Seymore

Get the prime... BTW, I'll be in your nek of WA come July. I'd like to comm with you about what specific events are there... and when...


TIA...

BBones

actually July looks pretty quiet for racing. It is my one month of down time.


I have a shoot on the 13th and the 28th...28th is an exclusive one though. If you are out around the 13th ping me!

Seymore

K... Can do. PM inbound.

Sheila Smart

For these motorcycle track shots, I used my Canon 300 f/4 L IS

http://www.pbase.com/sheila/eastern_creek

Although I do have a Sigma 1.4xTC, I rarely use it for shots such as these as even my 20D would have trouble focusing quickly enough - these guys are travelling at round 250 clicks (250 kms per hour), especially my husband, Fred

Cheers
Sheila

Chase

I rented a 70-200 f2.8L IS for a week for around 100 bucks


BIG MISTAKE.......cause now i want one. :cry

Seymore

Chase wrote:

I rented a 70-200 f2.8L IS for a week for around 100 bucks


BIG MISTAKE.......cause now i want one. :cry

At least you didn't rent a $6000 lens. Ya know... one you can't afford!

Chase

Seymore wrote:

At least you didn't rent a $6000 lens. Ya know... one you can't afford!

I cant afford 1700bucks.....im having a hard enough time scrapping together 400 for a sigma 24-70 f2.8.....damn being a 17yo high school student.

Seymore

Chase wrote:

I cant afford 1700bucks.....im having a hard enough time scrapping together 400 for a sigma 24-70 f2.8.....damn being a 17yo high school student.

Been there.. did that... many decades ago. Set your goals and work towards them. You'll get there.

[/hijack]

BBones

heh, I have the 70-200 IS L 2.8....now I want more.

Seymore

BBones wrote:

heh, I have the 70-200 IS L 2.8....now I want more.

Oh, you mean like this?

Please, no droolin'... It ain't IS, or anything special.
But, I've had to clean it a few times myself already...