Cheap zoom lens for RIAT?

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connersz

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I'm looking for a cheap zoom lens for RIAT and the other rare occasions that I need a bit more reach. I don't want too pay much and if I can't find anything around the £100 mark I might not bother.

I was looking at the Tamron 70-300 which is about £80 but it seems that it has a very slow motor driven focus which won't be any good.

Are there any other suggestions?
 
Nawty said:
It would help to say what kit you have already (and what brand).
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I'm a portrait photographer and usually use a Nikon D610 along with a Tamron 24-70 2.8. I don't take the airshow pics that seriously but like to have a go.
 
Well, the cheap Tamron is pretty crappy, the only other options at that price are the Sigma equivalents (the APO version being decent-ish) or maybe the older non-VR Nikon version.

None of them are great but at least will give you something to play with for little money. The sensible thing to do would be to find one second hand and then sell it on with minimal loss.
 
Hey @connersz . The 70-300mm will be fine for the Helicopters and slow war-birds, at least from a focusing speed point of view, the reach will be limited at 300mm. I'm assuming you are going show-side? If so then there is also a lot of static Aircraft to photograph, Unfortunately, and in my opinion, if you want to photograph the fast jets, you need lots of reach and fast glass. I'm at Riat this Saturday, really cant wait. I'm taking 150-600mm with 1.4 and 2x tele-converters for the fast jets, for the Helos Take offs and landings I'm going for a 70-200mm F4 IS.

I'd also 2nd Craig_85 comments above. For your first venture in to Aviation Photography, hiring a decentl lens is a very sensible idea.

Regards
Geoff
 
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I think hiring a lens is your best bet here at least if you think its not for you you won't of invested heavily in a lens that you aren't going to use
 
Downton Mini said:
I think hiring a lens is your best bet here at least if you think its not for you you won't of invested heavily in a lens that you aren't going to use
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I have hired them in the past but got there too late this time as they're all booked. I will use the lens just not that often so I can justify buying one but just not if it's too expensive.
 
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Geoff Moore said:
@ukaskew That Sony 70-300mm is nice example. My sigma 70-300mm is utter poop by comparison :)
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It was the Tamron, they have to fudge it and pretend it's a Sony lens to get it to register on Sony bodies, hence the exif suggesting it's the far more expensive Sony SSM.
 
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