Which Canon 'L' Lens? - Sport (Horse Racing) Event

rjmartin

rjmartin

Suspended / Banned
Messages
560
Name
Rob
Edit My Images
No
Hi There,

First off I am a newbie, look forward to becoming a regular poster here on the forum.

A bit of advice if possible!

I am attending a horse racing meeting next month as an official photographer however as I am more used to studio work I am a bit of a fish out of water in a sense.

I have a Canon SLR and a wide angle lens however will be hiring a telephoto lens as it is a big meeting. I am looking at the Canon 'L' range lenses.

I shall be pretty close to the action naturally - which lens would you go for?

I will be hiring from www.lensesforhire.co.uk

Will the 70-200mm suffice, how about the 100-400mm or 28-300mm? Or would a fixed focal length - say the 400mm - be a better bet?!

So many choices, please help!

Thanks,

Rob
 
I would go for the 100-400 to be honest.

Nice range and IS. As much as I would recommend a prime which would be faster, you are limited. With the zoom range, you can vary the shots you take.

I hired out a 200 1.8 and whilst it was great for outdoor use, shooting an oval event meant anything closer to me, just filled the frame and no space to pull back on.
 
What are you going to be shooting? You will need a very different lens for shooting the horses on the track to them in the paddock or the winner's enclosure.

If it's an overcast day and you're shooting the horses on the track you might need some faster glass than the 100-400L

Eisbar
 
I used to do the Gold cup at Cheltenham and did it all on a 70-200 or 24mm.
If you can, set up a 24mm under the last jump with a radio remote and shoot the action as they jump over.
Only time I ever used anything longer was if I wanted I shot down the finishing straight. I found the 100-400 too heavy to use all day, and, not sharp enough.

Are you doing jump or flat racing?
 
Edtog - I am at the Cheltenham Festival - jumps racing.

Can only hire the one lens (financial and carriage) - so I think I am between the 70-200mm and 100-400mm.

I think they will be better than fixed focal length as they give me more flexibility - will no doubt be by the last last flight/fence most of the time however may venture up to the winning post on a couple of occassions.

What would you do if you had to choose?
 
Thanks, any one else back that up? If so will go with the 100-400mm I think.
 
If you are track side you will only need a 70-200 but take what you feel comfortable with.
At Cheltenham the best thing you can take are about 5 extra layers, it's usually freezing down there as the wind comes down off the hill ;)
 
Go with the faster lens, the 70-200mm f2.8 should meet all you needs. If the conditions aren't favourable (i.e light conditions) you'd be glad of the extra glass. The 100-400mm is a good lens, but really need good conditions to get the best out of it. A whole 2 stops of light will be very benefical and distance wise from you to the horses, I would think the 70-200mm would cope.

Peter
 
rjmartin said:
Hi There,

First off I am a newbie, look forward to becoming a regular poster here on the forum.

A bit of advice if possible!

I am attending a horse racing meeting next month as an official photographer however as I am more used to studio work I am a bit of a fish out of water in a sense.

I have a Canon SLR and a wide angle lens however will be hiring a telephoto lens as it is a big meeting. I am looking at the Canon 'L' range lenses.

I shall be pretty close to the action naturally - which lens would you go for?

I will be hiring from www.lensesforhire.co.uk

Will the 70-200mm suffice, how about the 100-400mm or 28-300mm? Or would a fixed focal length - say the 400mm - be a better bet?!

So many choices, please help!

Thanks,

Rob
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, welcome to TP. Given you say 'I shall be pretty close to the action naturally - which lens would you go for?'

I would hire the 70-200 f2.8 IS L and live with that.

I had the 70-200 f4 (non-IS) previously and whilst that was a great lens....I think that extra stop + IS will deliver on the day.

I have to 100-400 IS L but given your challenge 'on the day' I would definately go for the 70-200 f2.8 IS from Lensesforhire.

My 2 cents worth

Jamie
 
Hmmm,

Official photographer, what about a back-up camera? Just a thought, but if your are getting paid then like weddings you should really have some form of backup. This would allow you to have a zoom on one camera and your wide angle on the other.
 
Thanks for all the input! It is genuinely appreciated.

When I say official by that I mean one of many official photographers on the day, opposed to an amateur - I have a pass to get on course etc etc.

I have a second SLR with a wide angle - that is sorted - it's just sorting this zoom lens.

I think I shall go for the 70-200mm, the extra stop could be invaluable.
 
Is the IS necessary?

£15.00 cheaper without and as 'Lensesforhire' say:

"If you're shooting moving subjects though, then IS isn't much of a help, and you might find the f/2.8 non-IS version a better choice."
 
rjmartin said:
Is the IS necessary?

£15.00 cheaper without and as 'Lensesforhire' say:

"If you're shooting moving subjects though, then IS isn't much of a help, and you might find the f/2.8 non-IS version a better choice."
Click to expand...

Its better to have something than not. You can always turn it off.

If your worrying about £15 don't, there will be plenty other things to worry about.
 
True, but still I don't see the need to pay £15 for something that wouldn't be used.

Thanks for your reply.
 
thanks for all input guys - in the end went with the 70-200mm f2.8 and canon 1.4 extender with a filter.

bring on march!
 
do you have liability insurance?

i would go for the 70-200 non is

what camera will you be using?
 
Best advice I can give is to ring me up and find out what horses I'm backing as they are likely to be travelling much slower than the others and will therefore be easier to capture.

How did you manage to get an official photographers pass at Cheltenham
 
Very good!

I have all insurance sorted .... and photographed at Cheltenham races on course before so that is a good help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top