I just got invited to Wednesday at The Masters. Holy Crap! This will be my first trip to Augusta National. As a golf nut, I am super pumped. As an amateur photographer, I want to have great glass with me.
To that end, I am thinking of renting either of the following as an option to bringing my 70-300 IS:
- 70-200mm f/2.8L IS with a 1.4x or 2x TC; or
- 100-400mm IS (possibly with a 1.4x or 2x TC as well)
As much fun as it would be to rent a 300 2.8 IS or a 400 2.8 IS, lugging either of those around the course, even on a monopod, is not my idea of fun.
Whatever I rent has to fit in my Lowepro Nova 4 shoulder bag along with my 30D/grip and 17-55 IS.
What's your opinion? Is there another option out there that might be better?
Nathan Hobbs wrote:
many will disagree, but the 100-400L IS will produce sharper pictures than a 70-200 2.8 with a 2x telextender. Its a great lens and very versatile.
The 100-400 is tempting, but I have the following concerns:
- The lens will not be fast enough if it's overcast, especially at the long end
- The gap in focal range between 55mm and 100mm may be undesirable
- I may not be good using a push/pull zoom having never used one
- A 70-200 2.8 IS with a 1.4x TC will get me to 280mm and f/4 which is faster than whatever the max aperture of the 100-400 is at 280mm
I would go with the 100-400. Even if it is an overcast day you will be plenty fine at 5.6, just bump up the ISO some and it will look great, the 40d can handle it. I often shoot with a 400 2.8 and a 2x at golf events, and even on dark rainy days I can still get s decent shutter speed at iso 800. You cannot shoot during a players back swing so you really do not need that high of shutter speeds--there really isn't that much motion to stop.
It is your most versatile option by far. I really doubt you are going to miss the 55-100mm range, it isn't that big, and I think you will either want to shoot wide pano type shots or tight, you are probably going to want as much length as possible.
Go for the 100-400. I concur with JohnG, that the 5.6 will be more than ample enough even on overcast days. Now if you wanted to capture the players swing, you can try and find an EOS-1N, that had a special feature made especially for Golf Shooters by Canon. Some of the older shooters on these boards, will have more knowledge about what I am referring to.
Whatever you decide to rent, don't shoot during Tiger's downswing!
Jason W wrote:
I just got invited to Wednesday at The Masters. Holy Crap! This will be my first trip to Augusta National. As a golf nut, I am super pumped. As an amateur photographer, I want to have great glass with me.
To that end, I am thinking of renting either of the following as an option to bringing my 70-300 IS:
- 70-200mm f/2.8L IS with a 1.4x or 2x TC; or
- 100-400mm IS (possibly with a 1.4x or 2x TC as well)
As much fun as it would be to rent a 300 2.8 IS or a 400 2.8 IS, lugging either of those around the course, even on a monopod, is not my idea of fun.
Whatever I rent has to fit in my Lowepro Nova 4 shoulder bag along with my 30D/grip and 17-55 IS.
What's your opinion? Is there another option out there that might be better?
I live on a golf course and shoot the tournaments there fairly often as well as those at Bay Hill. I'd rent the 70-200 F4L IS and a 1.4 TC. You'll have plenty of light and that combo will let you get as close as you need but will also let you back off to a 70 when you're close to the action. And that combo is much sharper than the 100-400.
Jason that 10 x 5 x 5 refers to bag size. Nothing here to say you can not have the body with lens attached around your shoulder or neck. I'd personally get a 200 2.8 along with a 1.4
Beau Arnold wrote:
Jason that 10 x 5 x 5 refers to bag size. Nothing here to say you can not have the body with lens attached around your shoulder or neck. I'd personally get a 200 2.8 along with a 1.4
Good point. But I need to find a camera bag that fits within their dimensions, as I really don't want to have a camera around my neck all day.
Personally, since you are talking about renting a lens for golf, get the 300/2.8 IS. The lens will come in the little 'vanity' case. When you get to the event, leave the case in the car, put the 300/2.8 IS on a lens strap and leave it on your shoulder when you are not shooting with it. It isn't too heavy to carry all day and as long as you have some rain protection it won't get damaged. That should give you some amazing images since you have been invited to such a special event. Just my 2p worth.
Alistair Watson wrote:
Personally, since you are talking about renting a lens for golf, get the 300/2.8 IS. The lens will come in the little 'vanity' case. When you get to the event, leave the case in the car, put the 300/2.8 IS on a lens strap and leave it on your shoulder when you are not shooting with it. It isn't too heavy to carry all day and as long as you have some rain protection it won't get damaged. That should give you some amazing images since you have been invited to such a special event. Just my 2p worth. ...Show more →
I appreciate your suggestion. If I did that, I'd have too large of a gap between 55mm and 300mm. I think I'm set on renting the 100-400 IS...
