Going to an airshow - need a long lens!

[Vulcan101]

Off to an airshow in next week and I don't have a long lens. I've been looking around and come up with a shortlist :

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and 1.4 teleconvverter

Sigma 100-300 f4

Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG EX OS

Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM

So which do you think I should get.

[Sam]

Sigma 80-400 OS - Superb lens! I also have the Canon 70-300IS and the Sigma is much better. These were all taken with the 80-400 at the weekend: http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7391792&postcount=55

Its a very big heavy lens though - my arms were aching by the time I got home on Sunday (and we didn't even stay until the end!)

[Smigg]

Yeah I'd second Sam's view there, but of course it depends on what you're shooting. Firstly, don't run with an IS lens. You'll find that, with the speed of what you're shooting, the IS will cause you framing problems. Also, it depends on your distance from the display line. I tend to find that, with a 100-400 I tend to run between the 300 and 400 mark to get full frame shots of fighters at between 75m and 100m from the display line. Of course with something bigger (e.g. the Lancaster or Vulcan when it makes an appearance), you will work towards the lower end of the lens. However with an 80-400 you should be able to cover all eventualities.

[Tastydirt]

The Sigma 100-300 f/4 is probably the best there in terms of IQ, although I've not tested it against my Sigma 70-200 + 1.4TC combo, it's a pretty well rated lens and I'd expect it to be better. But I quite like pairing the 70-200 + 1.4TC as it gives me a f/2.8 lens when needed.

[Smigg]

Tastydirt, what kind of results do you get in terms of full frame shots when using the 100-300 at an airshow? The reason that I ask is that I'm looking at investing in a 100-300 myself (don't ask about the 100-400!) and so would be interested to hear your thoughts...

[Tastydirt]

I don't have the 100-300, but I do have the 70-200 + TC, the last time I went to an airshow I didn't have the 70-200 so I can't really comment I'm afraid, although I did have a 70-300mm lens which is roughly equivalent and did frame quite well (this was a Biggin Hill).

Thinking about it, this was on film as well so the 70-200 + TC or 100-300 will get even closer on a DX crop sensor.

A good option may be to rent these lenses before you buy them, I believe Calumet do renting.

[Shoei]

Not at an airshow, but taken at Oulton Park.
This is from a Sigma 100-300, uncropped

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/225/489842319_cde0bc5627.jpg

A very nice and quick to focus as well.
Used it all day with out a monopod, but can imagine it might get a bit heavy if your all ways shooting planes in the sky.

Oh and i rented this from hireacamera.com. reasonable rates as well, £85 for a weeks hire. £150 deposit.

[Smigg]

Nice shot. Any idea how far away you were from the bike at the time?

[Shoei]

Nice shot. Any idea how far away you were from the bike at the time?

taken as they were going into cascades, so around 75-100 yards i think.

[Dno]

I don't have the 100-300, but I do have the 70-200 + TC, the last time I went to an airshow I didn't have the 70-200 so I can't really comment I'm afraid.

Thinking about it, this was on film as well so the 70-200 + TC or 100-300 will get even closer on a DX crop sensor.

A good option may be to rent these lenses before you buy them, I believe Calumet do renting.

Is that the Sigma TC?.. How does it perform with the 70-200?

I have the Sigma 70-200, and while it's a cracking lens I think the range is too short for airshows.. On the other hand, I have a 300mm prime, which is a real cracker of a lens, but I've found the nature of the prime to be very restrictive - Aircraft in formation for example, is pretty much impossible.

I'm going to stick with what I have for this years shows, but I'm tempted in the Sigma 100-300 f/4 for next year.. From my (limited) experience so far, that seems to be an ideal range.

[DamienB]

Off to an airshow in next week and I don't have a long lens. I've been looking around and come up with a shortlist :

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and 1.4 teleconvverter

Sigma 100-300 f4

Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG EX OS

Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM

So which do you think I should get.

Of those, the 80-400 is the winner purely because it's the only one with the required reach. Airshow acts are a LONG way away at most venues.

[Smigg]

Of those, the 80-400 is the winner purely because it's the only one with the required reach. Airshow acts are a LONG way away at most venues.
Yeah, what Mr. B said. I know for Elvington the display lines are 50m for passes at less than 150 knots, 75m for passes between 150 and 250 knots, and 100m for anything above that speed so you really need all the zoom you can buy (as Elvington is one of the airshows where the aircraft display quite close to the crowd so other airshows will be greater distances)...

[Tastydirt]

Is that the Sigma TC?.. How does it perform with the 70-200?

It performs very well, it looses a bit of fine sharpness at the long end, but stopped down to f/5.6 its back again. Its one of the few TCs that will work with the lens too (unless you want to start hacking away at a Nikon TC...)

The 80-400 is fine if you're going to just do air shows, but personally I prefer the versatility of the 70-200 as you can still get 200mm f/2.8 (or 280mm f/4 with TC) which with the DX crop should be long enough.

But if you're not fussed about having f/2.8 then the 80-400 is the least hassle and proably cheapest way to get there.

[Vulcan101]

Right, just bought the 70-200 f2.8 and 1.4 Sigma TC. I liked the idea of the flexibility of the of having a f2.8 but being able to go long at f4 if I need it.

[Tastydirt]

Nice combo, don't forget to post your pics!