Lenses

[CanonKid]

I'm new to plane spotting and have a question:
What kind of lenses do I need? (I shoot Canon)

[PhilDernerJr]

I use the 100-400mm and the 24-70mm.

Welcome to the site. :)

[CanonKid]

and you get good shots with these?

[nikon50bigma]

This is coming from a nikon user.... but everything I've heard about the 100-400 is nothing but great comments. It sure beats the nikon counterpart (80-400VR).

[moose135]

I shoot Canon also, and like Phil, use the 100-400mm L for much of my aircraft spotting. It's one of the most popular Canon lenses among aviation photographers. Shooting around JFK, you really need the reach. I also have the 70-200mm 2.8 L when I need something shorter, as well as a couple of other Canon lenses for every day use.


and you get good shots with these?

You tell me...these were all shot with the 100-400L

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/379853898_h7QhH-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/280225686_i23oV-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/265723403_DkYDz-L-1.jpg

[PhilDernerJr]

and you get good shots with these?

Do a search for "phil derner" on Anet and make your own decision I guess. I'm pleased with what I've gotten with the lens over the years.

[CanonKid]

Wow guys thanks for the help.

[CanonKid]

Is this the ideal setup for taking photos of aviation? If anybody has anything I should change or anything I should add please let me know.
FF:
-17-40mm f/4L
-24-105mm f/4L IS
-70-200mm f/4L IS
-100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
-430/580EX

Crop:
-10-22mm f/3.5-4.5
-24-105mm f/4L IS
-70-200mm f/4L IS
-100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
__________________

[Jetinder]

5 years ago when i chased Concorde at LHR my EOS 3 SLR had a Tokina 80-400mm + x 1.5 converter for long range photos or used a x2 converter + Tokina 80-400mm if there was enough light, i never had to manual focus, the camera did it on full auto focus.

If was near the Concorde crossing at Heathrow i used a Tamron 24-105mm zoom.

I got good results with the lenses but the Canon 100-400L is the best lense around and i would have got much crisper photos due to less lense shake, but at the time the Canon lens was £1500 ($3000 at 2003 prices), the Tokina was £600 ($1200 at 2003 prices) which offered the same zoom range as the Canon so i got the Tokina.

[CanonKid]

It just seems like the Canon 100-400L is a bit small, but i dont know.

[PhilDernerJr]

Small? Physically? Serious?

http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/free/LensReference/canon/EF100-400mm-extended.jpg

And that's not even with the lens hood.

[CanonKid]

WOW. Nevermind, I guess I've only seen them not extended all the way.

[PhilDernerJr]

Actually, that photo looks as though it's actually the actual size, actually.

[threeholerglory]

I have a kit 17-85mm 4.0-5.6 which I only really use for close ups, but then I have a 70-200 F2.8L IS which is fantastic for when you're somewhat close, and then I have a 300mm F4.0L IS which has great reach and is incredibly sharp...sharper than the 100-400 from what reviews tell me. Add a 1.4X teleconverter and you have yourself a 420mm F5.6 with IS...another great setup. Guess it all depends on whether you want a zoom or a prime.

[SmAlbany]

Is this the ideal setup for taking photos of aviation? If anybody has anything I should change or anything I should add please let me know.
FF:
-17-40mm f/4L
-24-105mm f/4L IS
-70-200mm f/4L IS
-100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
-430/580EX

Crop:
-10-22mm f/3.5-4.5
-24-105mm f/4L IS
-70-200mm f/4L IS
-100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
__________________

I believe that those are all fine lenses and if you need a certain focal range, all of them would be good choices. I have the 17-40 and the 70-200 (mine is non-IS). That said, I don't know of too many photographers that regularly plane spot that use the 24-105 frequently. I suppose that it would be wide enough for most of the wide angles that I do with the 17-40 since I am normally closer to the 40 end, but it is a more exensive lense and I am always looking for bang for the buck as opposed to ideal.

[Jetinder]

Concorde was my passion, since her last flight i can't see the need to use anything bigger than the lenses i have.

There was a sigma 150-500 mm but not sure if the EOS 3 + x1.5 converter could have auto focused with that.

The A380 is SO big that using a 80-400mm for long distance is more than enough.

Fighter planes, B1B, TU160 etc photos would benefit from better lenses such as ones on here.

[jerslice]

I use the 28-135 IS and the 100-400L - sometimes (quite a rarity nowadays) I pull out my 70-300IS.
I think the 100-400L is a piece of gold for its price. Do a search for jerslice in the spotting and review - most of my shots now are from the 100-400L. I would like to think that the lense has greatly increased the quality and capabilities of my work - especially for aviation.
I would buy it again and again.
The 28-135 IS I think is my unsung hero. I have gotten really great shots from that lens consistently - it is very sharp (especially for its price) - though I do notice it has a much harder time resolving details that are really far away (like a city-scape across a lake).
I had a bad experience with the 70-300 IS and got sold a pretty bad used copy that was super soft over 150mm. I would not buy that lens again. I highly disliked it.