Lens or Camera for Surf Pics

[Stocktsi]

I have a Canon SL1 with a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS that I'm using to take pictures and video of my son surfing.  I'm finding pictures and video of surfing hard to take in general even with a monopod (lots of waiting followed by 3 seconds of action that's easy to miss).  I've happy with the results so far but ready to take the next step.  The reach of the zoom isn't quite long enough so I'm doing a lot of cropping. and the pictures themselves aren't as sharp as I'd like.  I'm really happy with my 55-250 STM for general use, but need a lens or camera for this application.

I posted a similar question about a year ago that lead me to the 70-300 and wondering about other options.  My budget is a bit more than last year and could go up to around $1,000.  There was mention of the Sigma 150-400 or 150-600 as lens options as well as the Canon ultra zoom SX60 or SX70.

What's the current thinking on options?  Am I trying to get too much out of an SL1 with these lenses?  If so, are the SX60 or SX70 good options for taking these pics (which one?) or should I be looking at a new camera body in addition to a new lens which would of course really jack up the budget.  It not, what would be a good lens options to take it to the next level?  

Not doing this for professional pics, but would like something that gives good social media and smaller print pictures (up to 8x10). 

Thanks for help with all my questions.

[Stocktsi]

What's a good post editor?  Freeware preferred.   🙂

[ebiggs1]

For Canon it is DPP4.  It is a free d/l from Canon. Its downside, it only works with Canon cameras and Canon lenses.

A full featuer editor is Gimp.  It is fairly difficult to learn but is a close clone of Photoshop.  You should search for free post editor since there are several.

Photoshop Elements at around $150 bucks is a better choice, IMHO.

[wchettel]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:
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Photoshop Elements at around $150 bucks is a better choice, IMHO.

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Photoshop Elements 2021 has just been released and it's only $99.99 for first time buyers.

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-premiere-elements.html

[Waddizzle]

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@wchettel wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:
...

Photoshop Elements at around $150 bucks is a better choice, IMHO.

---

Photoshop Elements 2021 has just been released and it's only $99.99 for first time buyers.

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-premiere-elements.html

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They removed lens correction from the ACR that comes with PSE when they moved to the subscription model.  It is a waste of money as far as photography goes.  Adobe Camera Raw is severely crippled in PSE.

[wchettel]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@wchettel wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:
...

Photoshop Elements at around $150 bucks is a better choice, IMHO.

---

Photoshop Elements 2021 has just been released and it's only $99.99 for first time buyers.

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-premiere-elements.html

---

"They removed lens correction from the ACR that comes with PSE when they moved to the subscription model.  It is a waste of money as far as photography goes.  Adobe Camera Raw is severely crippled in PSE."

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Photoshop Elements 2021 ships with Adobe Camera Raw v12.3. Nothing is removed! It's just not the current version of ACR. Also, it is NOT a subscription service. There is a work-around publish by Adobe that will install the currentversion of ACR into PSE IF you really need it.

[Waddizzle]

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@wchettel wrote:

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@wchettel wrote:

---

@ebiggs1 wrote:
...

Photoshop Elements at around $150 bucks is a better choice, IMHO.

---

Photoshop Elements 2021 has just been released and it's only $99.99 for first time buyers.

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-premiere-elements.html

---

"They removed lens correction from the ACR that comes with PSE when they moved to the subscription model.  It is a waste of money as far as photography goes.  Adobe Camera Raw is severely crippled in PSE."

---

Photoshop Elements 2021 ships with Adobe Camera Raw v12.3. Nothing is removed! It's just not the current version of ACR. Also, it is NOT a subscription service. There is a work-around publish by Adobe that will install the currentversion of ACR into PSE IF you really need it.

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Have yoiu actually purchased it and used it?

[ebiggs1]

"They removed lens correction from the ACR that comes with PSE when they moved to the subscription model.  It is a waste of money as far as photography goes.  Adobe Camera Raw is severely crippled in PSE."

You are looking at it with the advanced person in mind. PSE is for the masses. It has and can do what that market wants and needs. Perhaps you need a refresher course in PSE ability. You must look beyond what your own, personal, needs are.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"They removed lens correction from the ACR that comes with PSE when they moved to the subscription model.  It is a waste of money as far as photography goes.  Adobe Camera Raw is severely crippled in PSE."

You are looking at it with the advanced person in mind. PSE is for the masses. It has and can do what that market wants and needs. Perhaps you need a refresher course in PSE ability. You must look beyond what your own, personal, needs are.

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ACR can do a LOT more than lens correction.

There are free apps that can do everything PSE can.  The only advantage PSE had over them was the lens correction and other features of ACR.  Look at the Icon Area.  All that it can do is convert RAW files.  It has been stripped bare.

[ebiggs1]

The fact is not over what it can't do compared to the real Photoshop. It is the fact that it does what its target audience wants,  Well beyond the limits of ACR. I suspose it is becuse you hav enot een exposed ot s many new people and hobbyists people that I have.

[Stocktsi]

I was afraid you were going to say GIMP.  I've used it before to do simple things (not photo retouching, more clip art edits)  but it can be challenging,  I saw that DPP4 only works with Canion bodies and lenses.  If I have a Canon body and a Sigma lens will I still get value out of it?