The 100-400 will be better than a 70-200/2.8IS + TC (particularly the 2x--yuck).I've done both & the 70-200 will be a but faster & get you the reach, but will be fuzzy. The 100-400 is a bit more annoying to use, but gets results. Just bring a monopod to support it.
Of course considering the special opportunity, I'd go with the 300/2.8IS as well--it will flat outperform either of the other two choices. Worth the slight inconvenience of carrying it around--that only lasts the day, the shots last forever.
I suppose alot of it depends on what you want to achieve with your photos.
Something like a Sigma 120-300/2.8 or Canon 300/2.8 IS while heavy offer superb image quality, will enable you (if you want) to blur out the distracting crowd behind the player and allow you to shoot at a lot lower ISO to get a nice, fast shutter speed to freeze the swing and ball, sand cloud if the player is in a bunker etc.,
Just thought I would mention that, though I know you have discounted both of these due to weight and because you don't want to carry a 'pod around.
If the choice is between a 70-200/2.8 IS with either a 1.4x and 2x TC versus a 100-400 with possibly a 1.4x TC, I would recommend just the 100-400, forget the TC, because on your 30D you will lose AF with the TC fitted and thus reduce your max shutter speed too.
In good (sunny) light leave the 100-400 wide open or within a stop of wide open to give you a fast shutter speed, increase the ISO as needed. I am no golf photographer but I do shoot alot of other sports, so I would guess for the 'swing' you would need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the action.
Jason W wrote:
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?
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
No, the camera has to be in the bag. You'll be turned away with a lens and camera bigger than will fit in the bag. And no, no monopod.
Sorry to dash your dreams, but I don't want you to show up only to have to put your camera back in the car and waste money renting a lens. A 40D with a 24-105 IS might be about the biggest combo you could take (in a bag that's barely any larger), and even then it'll depend on which security guy screens you going in.
Either way, find the bag that's 10x5x5 and then find whatever combo will fit inside it. That's all you'll be allowed to take in... and they're VERY strict about it.
Erik Barzeski wrote:
No, the camera has to be in the bag. You'll be turned away with a lens and camera bigger than will fit in the bag. And no, no monopod.
Sorry to dash your dreams, but I don't want you to show up only to have to put your camera back in the car and waste money renting a lens. A 40D with a 24-105 IS might be about the biggest combo you could take (in a bag that's barely any larger), and even then it'll depend on which security guy screens you going in.
Either way, find the bag that's 10x5x5 and then find whatever combo will fit inside it. That's all you'll be allowed to take in... and they're VERY strict about it....Show more →
Erik, I figured they would be pretty strict about the bag size, but I didn't see anything on their website about tripods/monopods. Are you positive they won't allow a tripod/monopod on a practice round day? Sounds to me like you've been there recently?
How many 10x5x5 bags will they let one person take in? This is another item I didn't see mentioned. Implicitly it seems it would mean one per person, but it's a little vague.
Jason W wrote:
Erik, I figured they would be pretty strict about the bag size, but I didn't see anything on their website about tripods/monopods. Are you positive they won't allow a tripod/monopod on a practice round day? Sounds to me like you've been there recently?
Normal PGA Tour events (not that The Masters is bound by any PGA Tour policies) don't allow monopods/tripods. They could distract from the enjoyment of others, take up space, and could be used as weapons. The Masters is, if nothing else, even more sensitive to these kinds of things and will do everything possible to maintain a good atmosphere for everyone.
Pros (those with media credentials) will of course have monopods, big lenses, etc. "Patrons" casual photographers will not.
Jason W wrote:
How many 10x5x5 bags will they let one person take in? This is another item I didn't see mentioned. Implicitly it seems it would mean one per person, but it's a little vague.
One.
I think it's dumb they don't spell things out more on their site, but those who attend once learn the rules. Again, I'd hate to hear that you had to walk all the way back to your car to return equipment.
Might I suggest you pack light, so as to guarantee admission, and just take a few casual pictures while spending most of your time _enjoying_ the golf course, the players you'll see, etc.?
I assume an umbrella is okay to bring in? The 10-day forcast in Augusta is not favorable...
And I think I will have my friend bring a 10x5x5 bag with one lens, in addition to my 10x5x5 bag with my camera and lens in it. This may be the only way.
Well, I just spent the day at the Shell Houston Open with the 17-55 IS and the 70-300 IS. Conditions were awful - extreme overcast and bouts of rain. Thank God golf umbrellas are big!
Anyway, I had the 70-300 IS on my 30D the whole day. I'm really starting to not like this lens - I think mine has a focusing issue at the long end. Lots of pics at 300mm were really blurry, beyond fixing with USM in Photoshop (I shoot RAW by the way). I may have to send it in to Canon to have examined.
Anyway, I noticed that f/4-5.6 was a little too slow for action shots, but fine for static shots of their bags/clubs. I also noticed I was longing for a little more reach.
So now I am wondering if I ought to re-think my lenses. Since the 17-55 didn't come out of the bag all day, I wonder if I ought to rent a 24-105 f/4L IS and a 400 f/4L DO IS? The 24-105 may be more versatile at the short end, and then the 400 will be handy when I need the reach. Since I can't have a monopod with me, any telephoto lens I take needs to have IS. The place I am thinking of renting from won't have a 300 2.8 IS in stock in time for me, so that's a bummer.
I don't know, maybe I should just do the 100-400 IS... HELP!
