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Lens selection

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subs57
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Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:28 pm

Lens selection

Post by subs57 » Tue May 03, 2022 3:07 pm

I recently visited Prestwick and took a number of images using a 135mm prime lens, for which I was pleased with the results.

While the 135mm framed the subject nicely, given the subject, speed of the subject (Landing & Take off), distance from the runway etc. it obviously isn't going to be the goto focal length for all scenarios.

Bearing in mind I have a limited lens line up, and a limited budget, is there a telephoto focal range that you could recommend that can cover most situations?

Many thanks

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James Cutting
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Re: Lens selection

Post by James Cutting » Tue May 03, 2022 4:28 pm

Depends on your budget, and camera model too?
"Grim Reapers Supporter"

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99536938@N06/

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Richard B
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Re: Lens selection

Post by Richard B » Wed May 04, 2022 5:07 am

Normal low budget lens I would recommend a 70-300mm zoom. These tend to be the most common solution for the budget minded. New or 2nd hand is the question.
2nd hand you can grab them for well under hundred pound .

subs57
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Lens selection

Post by subs57 » Wed May 04, 2022 1:08 pm

Richard B wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 5:07 am
Normal low budget lens I would recommend a 70-300mm zoom. These tend to be the most common solution for the budget minded. New or 2nd hand is the question.
2nd hand you can grab them for well under hundred pound .
This was along the lines of what I was thinking to myself, as the 135mm I used to get my shots and for which I was pleased with, was pretty much "in the middle" of the range of what I thought would be suitable. But further thought was if the aircraft was travelling at speed and moving towards/away from myself, I would need to change the focal length accordingly. So obviously a telephoto lens is much preferable to a prime lens. Thank you for your response.

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Nighthawke
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Re: Lens selection

Post by Nighthawke » Wed May 04, 2022 2:35 pm

Decent image quality needs good glass so get the best you can afford. A sub-£100 70-300 seems cheap to me.

subs57
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Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Lens selection

Post by subs57 » Wed May 04, 2022 4:20 pm

Nighthawke wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 2:35 pm
Decent image quality needs good glass so get the best you can afford. A sub-£100 70-300 seems cheap to me.
I must confess that after reading my OP, I might have mislead some readers when I mentioned a limited budget, as I own 3 x Prime Sony G Masters fitted to a Sony A7R3. But when I stated that, I was was thinking of trading in a lens or two, rather than expanding my lens line up. But yes, I agree; good glass is the way forward.

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Black Mike
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Location: LFA17

Re: Lens selection

Post by Black Mike » Thu May 05, 2022 2:40 pm

subs57 wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 4:20 pm
Nighthawke wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 2:35 pm
Decent image quality needs good glass so get the best you can afford. A sub-£100 70-300 seems cheap to me.
I must confess that after reading my OP, I might have mislead some readers when I mentioned a limited budget, as I own 3 x Prime Sony G Masters fitted to a Sony A7R3. But when I stated that, I was was thinking of trading in a lens or two, rather than expanding my lens line up. But yes, I agree; good glass is the way forward.
Sony do a 70-300 and a 100-400 for mirrorless.
A Cargolux 747 side on on the runway is approx 100mm on a full frame camera and a 737 about 180mm. Hope that helps.
COP26 photos on my Flickr were shot on a crop sensor camera so the focal lengths in the EXIF should be x1.5 for full frame equivalents.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/104302097 ... 738516897/

Check out MPB, WEX, Ffordes, LCE, Wilkinson Cameras, CameraWorld etc for secondhand stuff. My local Wilkinson Cameras shop has a secondhand Sony FE 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G OSS in the window for £760. Online they also have secondhand Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS for £1820. That will give you an idea of pricing.

Mike

subs57
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Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:28 pm

Re: Lens selection

Post by subs57 » Thu May 12, 2022 11:37 am

@Black Mike: Thank you Mike.

As you say, one of the nice things about having a full frame camera is that it has the ability to shoot in APS-C mode. By doing so then any full frame lens fitted will have their focal length multiplied by 1.5. So the 70mm - 300mm, with the camera body in APS-C mode, would have an equivalence of 105mm - 450mm. So that would be a very useful and cover a lot of potential scenarios. And reasonable priced as well. Wex is my go-to for equipment, and I do trawl through the usual classifieds. ATB

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cat1
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Location: EGTE

Re: Lens selection

Post by cat1 » Mon May 16, 2022 1:04 pm

this is my current work horse
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipmen ... lsrc=aw.ds
would highly recommend, but some times the more detailed are out of my reach because of the zoom
but for the average day at the heath and the unexpected fly-past its a brilliant lens :D

edit:
For reference i use a Cannon EOS 450D
if its any other make.... :P
Cheap cameras aren't good. Good cameras aren't cheap

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