lens purchase.....HELP!

[Sandy Feet]

I am not sure if this question has already been addressed or not, so forgive me if I rehash an existing discussion.
I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XT 350d, with a 75-300mm f4-5.6 lens.
At first I was extremely happy, having just gotten out of the P&S market, but now that I'm becoming more photo-aware, I'm just not satisified with the lens anymore and want to jump up to something a little more substantial. My main focus in photography is in shooting surfing, so I need a good telephoto lens with super sharp focus capability. I have been looking at Canon's 70-200mm f/2.8 (see here
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=234444&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation ) and pair it up with either a 1.4 or 2x teleconverter. But if I pair it up, I'm afraid it will be like shooting with f/4-5. Would it be better to purchase Canon's EF 300 mm lens instead? ( see here
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=129188&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation )
I would really appreciate any input and/or advice you all can give. I'd hate to make a 1-2 thousand dollar mistake :dunno

[Andy]

I am not sure if this question has already been addressed or not, so forgive me if I rehash an existing discussion.
I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XT 350d, with a 75-300mm f4-5.6 lens.
At first I was extremely happy, having just gotten out of the P&S market, but now that I'm becoming more photo-aware, I'm just not satisified with the lens anymore and want to jump up to something a little more substantial. My main focus in photography is in shooting surfing, so I need a good telephoto lens with super sharp focus capability. I have been looking at Canon's 70-200mm f/2.8 (see here
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=234444&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation ) and pair it up with either a 1.4 or 2x teleconverter. But if I pair it up, I'm afraid it will be like shooting with f/4-5. Would it be better to purchase Canon's EF 300 mm lens instead? ( see here
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=129188&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation )
I would really appreciate any input and/or advice you all can give. I'd hate to make a 1-2 thousand dollar mistake :dunno

The 70-200 is a sweet lens, and works great with the 1.4x. Lots of flexibility. yes, you'll be at f/4 when you put the converter on.

Most folks find that for surfing, you need even more reach. You might consider Canon's 400 f/5.6L, a really sweet, hand-holdable, and razor sharp lens.

Hope this helps,

[Sandy Feet]

Thanks for the quick input Andy.
Is this the 400mm you were talking about?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=162616&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
I like the price much more....
Still somewhat confused about what type of f/stop would be best for my application, but I know the 400mm would certainly get me "out there"

[Andy]

Thanks for the quick input Andy.
Is this the 400mm you were talking about?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=162616&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
I like the price much more....
Still somewhat confused about what type of f/stop would be best for my application, but I know the 400mm would certainly get me "out there"


No, that's not the lens. Canon 400 f/5.6L (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12129&is=USA&addedTroughType=search).

[gus]

Andy means this one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12129&is=USA&addedTroughType=search) mate. Prime lenses seem to scare the crap out of people because they feel that they are limited...well for me 400 mm tele is never long enough.


here are some samples (http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/41080189-L.jpg) i have got with this lens.

very very long shot (http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/41004440-M.jpg)

beautifully sharp lens (http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/41003617-M.jpg) for motorsport & very very fast focusing !!

I really havnt started surf shooting with it yet but this is an early sample (http://wadjelaphotography.smugmug.com/photos/41003134-M.jpg) i got one morning

[Sandy Feet]

Most impressive shots, all shot with the 400mm?
(love the heat fumes eminating off the back of the race car)
BTW, what exactly is a prime lens? Never heard that term before.

[gus]

Most impressive shots, all shot with the 400mm?
(love the heat fumes eminating off the back of the race car)
BTW, what exactly is a prime lens? Never heard that term before.
All shot with the prime 400 that is in the link andy & i posted.

A prime lens is a lens that has just one length...in this case its 400mm. It cant be zoomed ever & can only be changed in length by adding a tele-converter (doubler some call them) these teleconverters add extra length to a lens at the cost of losing some speed & some crispness. I dont use them as i bought this lens for its sharpness & thats just how i do stuff. Also at f/5.6 its slow enough so i dont need to lose any more.

[Andy]

Most impressive shots, all shot with the 400mm?
(love the heat fumes eminating off the back of the race car)
BTW, what exactly is a prime lens? Never heard that term before.

Sandy - sounds like you could benefit from this learning site (www.photo.net/learn)... hope it helps :thumb

[Sandy Feet]

yea, thanks. I'll certainly check it out when I have a bit more time.
Lots and lots to learn, I wish my brain could keep up
:scratch it doesn't process as quick as it once did.
Certainly appreciate the advice, and always open to more,
thanks again!

[Steve Cavigliano]

Sandy,

I can't argue with any of the advice you've recieved so far. 200mm is a bit short for surfers if you're shooting from the shoreline. Lenses I'd consider would be:

Zooms:
100-400mmL IS Canon - $1350
50-500mm Sigma - $900

Primes:
300mm F4L IS Canon - $1100
300mm F2.8L IS Canon - $3900
400mm F5.6L Canon - $1089


Steve

[Sandy Feet]

Thanks Steve!
but, I just ordered my lens about 15 minutes ago.
Good to know I made a sound decision.....I ended up getting the Canon (USA) 100-400mm f/4.4-5.6L IS USM, but I have to tell you it was a tough decision choosing between that and the 300mm f/4 prime that Canon offers. Thanks again for the advice, I now feel more confident about my purchase.