Which lens to hire?

[ktoopi]

Hi all

I hope I've put this in the right place....if not feel free to move it Mods

I have decided to hire an L lens for taking photos of the Start of the Sydney to Hobart this year. My husband is participating again!YAY!

Last year I went out on the official spectator boat (the only boat allowed in the exclusion zone) with my 7D and Canon 70-300mm lens. I actually got some great shots which I am in the processs of having printed and framed for the newly vacant walls of my husband's boardroom.

Most of the shots I took that day were at or near the 300mm end of the zoom which is not the best end on that lens.

I am wondering if I should hire the 70-200mm L IS USM 2.8 mark II or the 70-300mm L IS USM ? I would have just gone with the 70-300 but the 70-200 has such a cult following and everyone raves about the awesome quality. I just worry that it won't have the reach I need, but I could crop in PP I guess. What do you all think?

Cheers Karen

Ps is there much difference in quality between the 70-200 mark I and the mark II??

[ricktas]

What about the 100-400 f4?

[Mark L]

Most of the shots I took that day were at or near the 300mm end of the zoom which is not the best end on that lens.

What about the 100-400 f4?

[ktoopi]

What about the 100-400 f4?

i didn't see that one on the list of available lenses!

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Correction...............I just had another look and they do have that lens! Hmmm I think I might go with that. I want to book it now as when I made the initial enquiry they told me that they are closed over the Christmas period from Dec 22 to Jan 10 and I could have the lens for that whole time for a weeks hire!

[cupic]

After that period of time you may never want to return it

cheers

[Xenedis]

I'd be going for as long a lens as is available and affordable.

A 400mm lens would be a good choice, as the vantage points are not close to the action from what I can gather.

[Nazz]

I would go with the 400mm too I hired the 70 - 200mm a few months back, and yes it's qualities were amazing, but mostly amazing (for my purpose) for the F2.8 allowing me to take high quality photos in poor light with no flash. So for your purpose, I would think that the 400mm will give you both the quality and distance you are wanting.

[Xenedis]

Note that if you hire a 400/2.8, it will be very heavy and unsuitable for hand-held photography, so a monopod is a must.

[ktoopi]

I'd be going for as long a lens as is available and affordable.

A 400mm lens would be a good choice, as the vantage points are not close to the action from what I can gather.

I will be on the only spectator boat allowed indside the exclusion zone!! I went on the same boat last year and we were in the thick of the action and sat right on the start line!

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Note that if you hire a 400/2.8, it will be very heavy and unsuitable for hand-held photography, so a monopod is a must.

Yes I did think I might have to take one! I've had it for a few years and never used it so it looks like it's finally going to get Christened!

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Thanks everyone for replying. I think the 100 to 400 is the way to go as on my 7d it will give me even more reach!

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After that period of time you may never want to return it

cheers

That thought did cross my mind!!