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.

[Waddizzle]

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@wchettel wrote:

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

You posted a screen shot and failed to realize there might be an update.  That is what I meant by users and readers.

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It does update.  Adobe crippled it when they went to the subscription model.  I guess they restored stuff.

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Mr. Waddizzle,

You are wrong again!

Adobe Photoshop Elements is NOT a subscription model software and never has been! You pay a one-time fee to purchase the software and you can use it forever with NO additional fees or charges. There are many PSE users that are still using versions of PSE that are 10 or more years old. You can even use multiple versions on your PC or Mac if you choose to. Upgrades do not overwrite previously installed versions.

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Calm down, pal.  I never said PSE was a subscription model.  If you want to say I am wrong.  Fine.  I was wrong.  Happy?

[wchettel]

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@wchettel wrote:

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@Waddizzle wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

You posted a screen shot and failed to realize there might be an update.  That is what I meant by users and readers.

---

It does update.  Adobe crippled it when they went to the subscription model.  I guess they restored stuff.

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Mr. Waddizzle,

You are wrong again!

Adobe Photoshop Elements is NOT a subscription model software and never has been! You pay a one-time fee to purchase the software and you can use it forever with NO additional fees or charges. There are many PSE users that are still using versions of PSE that are 10 or more years old. You can even use multiple versions on your PC or Mac if you choose to. Upgrades do not overwrite previously installed versions.

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Calm down, pal.  I never said PSE was a subscription model.  If you want to say I am wrong.  Fine.  I was wrong.  Happy?

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Mr. Waddizzle,

I'm not your pal. This is your statement in your reply in this thread dated 10-15-2020 04:43 PM.

"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."

[amatula15]

Hi,

I have been using the trial versions of photo editors this past week.

Photoshop Elements is $99.99 to purchase 

Photoshop and Lightroom is $9.99/month (some other packages available too).

For sharpening, I like the freeware, Paint.net. I use + 2 sharpening usually and it looks good.

I have to try Canon's photo editor -- I think it is one of the few I have yet to try!

All the best,
Annie

[ebiggs1]

Annie you need to be careful with the free editors and some of the pay to play editors when doing sharpening.  All they do is darken the edges of objects. Poor at best ad best if little is used.  Adobe's unsharp mask is the best.

Keep in mind sharpening an image is not the same thing as adjusting the focus. Sharpening is about making the in-focus areas of your image look sharper. A blurry image will always be blurry.  No amount  of, or how much, sharpening, even unsharp mask, you try will fix OOF images.  However, the good news is PSE includes unsharp mask.

[ebiggs1]

Walter, readers vs users!

[amatula15]

Thank you, ebiggs!

I did not know that and really appreciate the info!

I am thinking of DXO PhotoLab or Photoshop Elements. I really like DXO but pricey. DXO PhotoLabs also has the unsharp mask but I have not tried it yet.

I don't need it/use it as much -- my images tend to be sharper than my newbie days but sometimes I use it for face sharpening when I shot a portrait in landscape mode 😮
I never really liked the way the sharpening tool results turned out though -- and now i understand why!

Thank you, again! And I hope your day is a good one,

[ebiggs1]

Annie I don't like DXO or any of their stuff so I really don't know how well their unsharp mask works.  In PS you need to use it on layers.  Make the unsharp mask is a smart object.  I do not know if DXO has that ability. I don't know if the latest PSE has smart objects either. When you use smart objects you can always go back and adjust or readjust your work. If you apply it, or any sharpening, it is permanent and not reversible otherwise.

Miss Annie you have a wonderful rest of your day and go make some beautiful photos! 

[amatula15]

Hi Walter,
I am demoing PSE now.

How do I move from that first screen with Quick Guided Export to the 2nd screen with the controls?

I cannot seem to find a way to get to it 😞

Thank you so much!

[wchettel]

Hi Annie,

I'm not sure what you mean by "the 2nd screen". When you open the PSE Editor you have three different mode choices for editing - Quick, Guided, or Expert. Each mode has different editing controls. If you do NOT have a photo loaded, some choices may not be available.

I am NOT a PSE expert - I'm still learning to use the program myself.

FYI, there is a PSE user forum that you can access from the Help menu in PSE. It is monitored by Adobe employees and Adobe professionals as well as lots of experienced PSE users. They normally give quick answers to questions. Here's a screen clip of the Help menu in PSE.

[amatula15]

Thank you so much, Walter!
I hope you enjoy PSE.
I imagine there are books on the software, an advantage to getting PS!
All the best, Annie