topic Re: Lens for plane spotting? in EF & RF Lenses

Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:23:49 GMT

What is a afordable and good lens for plane spotting photography?

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

kvbarkley — Wed, 31 May 2017 14:42:00 GMT

If you mean non-air show spotting, the Sigma 150-600 sport gives you the best reach and autofocus speed. I had pretty good luck with my 150-600 TAMRON at a thunderbirds show.

I was at an airshow last week and my 18-135 was more than long enough for my APS-C. I put my 70-300 away.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

cicopo — Wed, 31 May 2017 16:05:53 GMT

There are multiple meanings to the term "plane spotting" so we need to know whether you mean around an airport etc or for those flying at altitude. It's also important to know whether you are using a crop body or a full frame body. Prices are also different in different countries. I'm in Canada & we pay much more than those in the US but less than in Europe etc.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:03:10 GMT

Oh i am sorry i mean planes taking off and landing not at high altitudes.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:03:44 GMT

And i have a full crop body

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:04:58 GMT

Sorry i mean full frame.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

cicopo — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:36:44 GMT

One of the most popular air show lenses has been the 100-400 but the newer version isn't a budget lens. The older one was a push / pull while the newer one is a twist to zoom. Sigma has recently put a 100-400 on the market which seems to be a decent lens at roughly 1/3 the price of the Canon. You may be able to get by using one of the various 70-300's out there & in most cases the more you spend the better the AF speed will be along with better image stabilization & sharpness. IS is very useful with the slower shutter speeds you should use when shooting prop planes.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

ebiggs1 — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:05:50 GMT

"What is a afordable..."

Yes, what is "affordable"? Then add, "...and good lens..."? IMHO, no kit lens fits both limiters. Affordable, yes. Good, not so much.

Again, IMHO, the choices are one of the Sigma/Tamron 150-600mm offerings or the new ef 100-400mm II.

I have not tried the new Sigma 100-400mm offering and I likely will not. I see no good reason the give up my 500 to 600mm advantage in focal length. The new Siggy may be a nice lens, IDK.

Remember as zoom ratios increase IQ suffers.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

cicopo — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:27:24 GMT

Lens IQ won't be as important as learning how to pan smoothly.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:56:10 GMT

Ok I now am planning on getting a 17-300 stm lens its a good price

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

cicopo — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:39:44 GMT

Not necessarily a great choice & I'm a fan of superzooms. It may not be able to AF fast enough. I'd check the reviews before buying.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:47:52 GMT

" I'd check the reviews before buying."

I agree. That is probably a lens you want to cross off your list.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

kvbarkley — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:57:02 GMT

I believe he is talking about the new 70-300 II, which by most accounts, is a good lens.

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:02:12 GMT

It would not have to be much better to be better! Still not impressed!

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

Anthony2412 — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 06:35:23 GMT

Well I meant I was getting a 75-300 lens is it good?

Re: Lens for plane spotting?

cicopo — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:40:27 GMT

There are several versions of 70-300 or 75-300 mm lenses. Some are very basic with less than ideal AF or IQ. The more you spend the better the lens will be feature & quality wise. One thing I can recommend you look for while researching them is a lens with Image Stabilization which can be used when panning. (IS when panning can be very important with the lower shutter speeds used to produce prop blur.)