Do you think 300mm will be enough?

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Moz

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Is there anyone here who shooting sailing? More specifically, Belmont reservoir?
Basically I want to document a race day(next Sunday) and am after a bit of lens advice. I'm going to have to hire a lens and was thinking of getting the Nikon 300mm f/4. Do you think this will be able to get in close enough to actually see what's going on, baring in mind I will be shooting from the shore, maybe the jetty if they let me on.
Also can anyone give me any tips on what to look out for, things that only a sailor or someone who photographs this kinda stuff would know.

This is the reservoir, but I will probably only be around the bottom end.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Bel...ckburn+with+Darwen,+United+Kingdom&iwloc=addr

Thanks for any advice.
-Moz
 
Hi, Moz,
Having tried this sort of thing with 300mm I found it woefully inadequate on a full-frame body. I would advise 500mm if possible. If you have a spare body you could pop a 300mm on it for the closer stuff. If your camera has a 1.6 crop you should be ok.
Andy.
 
I suspect that 500-600 + a T/C is going to be the order of the day. Whatever you choose, it'll be well worth your while having a CPL available for it.

Bob
 
Thanks for the advice. I might have to get the 300mm and a TC-17E converter to make it 510mm but 'f/6ish' :|
Yes I have two bodies, but cant really afford to hire two lens. The 300mm is £41 on 'lensforhire.co.uk' which I know isn't a lot but I'm not going to make any money from the photos. Starving student and all that. And 300mm is the biggest telephoto they have on there.
Hmm what to do, might have to blag my way onto a boat haha.
 
Canon Bob said:
I suspect that 500-600 + a T/C is going to be the order of the day. Whatever you choose, it'll be well worth your while having a CPL available for it.

Bob
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Thanks, do you know of anywhere that I could hire a 500-600mm from?
And CPL?

Edit: Dont worry, found somewhere, Camulet @ £70 per day. Hmm this is turning into one of them, 'How important is this to me' type of dilemmas.
 
Moz said:
And CPL?
Click to expand...

Circular polarising Filter....it'll cut down the glare from the water if it's a bright day. You'll need to know the filter size on the lens/lenses you'll be using.

Bob
 
Just think, that when you start adding up a 5-600mm, a 2X converter and a CPL, you might be heading into f8 territory, and a lot of DSLR's won't meter past f5.6. Worth bearing in mind.
 
dougdarter said:
Just think, that when you start adding up a 5-600mm, a 2X converter and a CPL, you might be heading into f8 territory, and a lot of DSLR's won't meter past f5.6. Worth bearing in mind.
Click to expand...

Joe T said:
CPL takes two stops doesnt it? Thats gonna be a killer on a 600mm with a converter!
Click to expand...

A very good point gentlemen.....ooops! :bonk:

Bob
 
I used a 300mm when photographing on Llangorse lake, absolutely no use at all for the sailing boats in the middle. I think that your idea of blagging a spot on a boat would be the best idea. Ask the race officials you may be lucky and get on one of their boats, no worries about the sails getting in the way. Failing that you're into serious kit as has already been mentioned.

Kev
 
I sometimes take boating pictures at a reservoir, Alton Water, which is about the size of Belmont. A 300mm lens is just not enough for most shots, so 500-600mm or above with a wide aperture would be better.

For yachts and dinghies, it is best to take shots at one quarter, or three quarters on to the boat. It is also best to shoot from the side of the lake where the wind is coming from, so that you get pictures of the yachts leaning over, and that is the side where the crew will be.

Best action shots take place where the boats tack or change course. So find out beforehand where the course marker buoys will be placed.

Edward
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think i'll hire the 300mm and TC and just see what I can get on the day. Will just have to make do.
Ill ask the race officials if I can hop on there boat too, thanks for the idea.
Ill put some pictures up next week if there post worthy lol.
 
Does Stewart not have the Bigma available for your mount...?
 
Hi,

I photograph boats as my main type of photography, when getting the photo try and take the rear quarter with it going away from you as that looks best from opposite the sail side or from the front quater coming towards you, ill try and post a photo later,

PM me if you want anymore help

Thanks

Mark
 
Moz said:
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think i'll hire the 300mm and TC and just see what I can get on the day. Will just have to make do.
Ill ask the race officials if I can hop on there boat too, thanks for the idea.
Ill put some pictures up next week if there post worthy lol.
Click to expand...

If you are going to be on a boat, make sure you get a VR lens, if it's a rough day and you use 300mm+, it'll be roller-coaster!
 
theMusicMan said:
Does Stewart not have the Bigma available for your mount...?
Click to expand...
No, he doesn't. Strangely, nobody has ever asked about it or expressed an interest in it. Otherwise we'd certainly have it.
 
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