What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (Full Version)

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Dart373 -> What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 12:26:36 AM)

What's a good lens to shoot RC planes flying lower and static shots? I just bought a used Rebel that is 3 years old. Thanks.



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 8:57:37 AM)

Dart, it really depends on what type of speed you are talking about that the planes will be flying at. A good all around lens is the 70-200mm zoom, of course the faster the lens the better for fast moving objects, but then that also ups the price a lot as well.
As far as static shots, I tend to use a 28-55mm I think thats the right zoom on it. LOL being lazy and not going and looking :) the zoom gives you a nice wide angle ability of larger planes, and small amount of zoom for taking pictures of details.
Most of the shots I take of planes flying at the field I end up using a 500mm or 1000mm With those lenses though you really need to get a decent speed or everything will be blurred or dark.
At the field especially fly-in events and such, I've found that using smaller lenses usually leave me with a shot that looks like a spec unless they are doing close fly-byes.
If you can stick around a F/2.8 lens you will have a good lens that will serve you well, but they are still pretty high in price, try not to go above F/4.0 though or you can end up with light, and blur issues and end up having to "trick the camera" for your shots more (flying shots)
Also as far as lenses go, Canon has the best glass of anything out there, but you pay for it. I know a lot of people that have used tamarac, and had good luck and my big zoom is a Sigma and I've had great success with it, and would buy Sigma again.
Hope this helps a bit, tried to cover everything a bit, but probably left out other info you might want. If you have any other questions feel free to send me a message and I'd be happy to help if I can.
Best of Luck with your Camera and shooting



Dart373 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 2:35:43 PM)

Yeah, Sigma and the other company you mentioned have what looks to be a great value, but they don't have image stabilization that I know of. Telephoto needs it in my opinion.. just my thoughts. I am looking at a Canon 70-300 lens. I think I narrowed it down to that.



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 6:40:34 PM)

Dart,
Thats a great lens, great for multi purpose, and if you get a decent F/stop value with it you can get a 2x filter for it giving you up to 600mm zoom but you lose two f/stops as a rule.
As far as image stabilization goes, depending on the generation of it, it really isn't worth the extra money (the first generation) The second I'm still not real sure about, although it seems like it is more of what a image stabilization system should do.
I've found that the best thing is a good tripod and monopod.
I've done professional photography quite awhile, and so far the only place I've really found a image stabilization system might have helped was at a poorly lit volleyball game and the university didn't allow the use of flash systems.
I'm not sure if the Rebel has it, as I have a 20D I'm using, but what I do in situations where I think I might have blurring issues is kick up the ISO setting. In the 20D it has a ISO expansion option in the program menu's. Just have to watch for some grain at times.
Best of Luck



Dart373 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 6:54:02 PM)

Thanks... So, you don't think image stabilization is that big of a deal? Because there seems to be a pretty good deal on Sigma lenses and from the folks that I know that have Canon and Sigma, say it is a deal. They both admit, the Canon glass is better, for the money, the Sigma is a strong runner if you don't need stabilization...



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 7:16:10 PM)

Dart,
I myself would honestly go with the Sigma, the image stab systems are one of those things that would be a Extra nicety in my opinion. I have no problem with the Sigma lens I own, and wouldn't have any trouble recommending it to anyone.
The only other thing you might consider is getting a canon lens without IS.
But honestly with you pretty much just starting out with the camera, I would go with the Sigma lens, and that way you could eventually get yourself a good lens for in home or closer pictures as well as your 70-300
I'll try and see if I can post a picture or two taken from one of our fly-ins with my Sigma lens for you to see. I'm not sure if it will work though. But I think you would be more than happy with the lens. There is also these days a lot of little imperfections you can remove through photo-editing too.



Dart373 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 8:43:32 PM)

Great. Thanks. Yeah, me being new, the lens is probably down th list as far as quality goes... I will have a lot to learn. What "close in" lens would you get? The stock Canon 18-55? mm are quite cheap because folks outgrow them it sems.



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/5/2007 10:19:03 PM)

18-55 or something there close would be a good close in lens, or a 28- I think it goes to 70.
You can get the first lens pretty cheap especially if it has the plastic ring (where it joins the camera) They usually have a tendency not to last quite as long as the ones with the metal, but I have one of each, and as long as you are careful with it it will last you until you are ready for something else.
The 18 or 28 and the bottom end is good because it gives you a wide angle type of frame so on the bigger birds you can get them all in the frame, plus with the small zoom you can take close-ups of details without having to get right on top of the plane.

If there is anything I can help with just drop me a message, and I'll do what I can to help.

OHHHH Also one thing, if you can get a extra memory card, just in case you are out at a show and you run out of space. Found it very frustrating LOL, that way you don't have to be as careful when taking shots and check and delete them constantly. That way if your main card is full, then you know to check the shots you take from then on until you can go through the pictures.



Black Arrow -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/7/2007 1:02:20 AM)

One thing to remember/think about when it comes to expensive lenses is that you can usually use them on your next camera when you upgrade instead of buying another. You can amortize the cost of a fine lense that way over a period of time. More than one pro has told me that if you must cut costs somewhere do it on the camera not the lenses because the camera will soon be outdated whereas the lense will not.



sharbold -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/7/2007 1:32:13 PM)

Dart,

I have to agree on the image stabilization. I started out with the Canon 75-300 IS USM lens and then purchased the Canon 100-400L IS USM lens. When shooting moving objects I always turn the image stabilization off. In fact about the only time I use the IS is when shooting still objects hand held at a low shutter speed to obtain proper exposure which is seldom. I have had good results with both lenses. I sold the 75-300 to help pay for the 100-400. Here are a few shots from the 75-300 lens. 98% of the photos in my gallery were shot with the 100-400L.

[image]http://rcplanephotos.com/albums/uploads/F4U/Scouts_MG_2177-01.jpg[/image]

[image]http://rcplanephotos.com/albums/uploads/F4U/Scouts_MG_2178-01.jpg[/image]

[image]http://rcplanephotos.com/albums/uploads/F4U/Scouts_MG_2187-01.jpg[/image]

[image]http://rcplanephotos.com/albums/uploads/F4U/Scouts_MG_2176-02.jpg[/image]

Sam

[img]http://rcplanephotos.com/pic.php[/img]



Daniel Just -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/14/2007 7:34:36 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sharbold
When shooting moving objects I always turn the image stabilization off. In fact about the only time I use the IS is when shooting still objects hand held at a low shutter speed to obtain proper exposure which is seldom.


Same here. I don't think IS helps when shooting model airplanes in flight. The movement isn't as homogenous as it should be for the IS to act properly (Mode 2). I love Mode 1 to shoot still objects at long focal lengths, here it helps a lot.

30D/EF100-400L IS USM

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/st-leon-2007/img_5378.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/st-leon-2007/img_5609.jpg[/img]

A note on Sigma Lenses: A friend of mine used his 50-500 "Bigma" happily on the 300D. After upgrading to the 30D he got "Err99" with this lens. Some of the Sigma lenses can be upgraded to be used on newer Canon Bodies, others can not and can cause problems like this.

Regards,

Daniel - http://www.danieljust.de



NCBrit -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/14/2007 12:29:03 PM)

I have the Sigma 70-300. Focus is terribly slow and the optical quality isnt that great wide open. If I had the budget I would choose the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM for in flight shots. And the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM for static shots.



Daniel Just -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/15/2007 7:55:14 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NCBrit
I have the Sigma 70-300. Focus is terribly slow and the optical quality isnt that great wide open.


Yes, these are really slow. Optically I found it to be on level with the Canon 75-300III USM, but focussing speed wasn't comparable.

To do static shots I just bought a Tamron 17-50/2.8 and I'm really happy with it. F2.8 all along the range, not too expensive. AF seems to be really loud when you are used to USM, but I can cope with it. Some users report to have problems getting a good sample of this lens or having to send it to Tamron to adjust it, It seems that I had luck with mine. ;)

30D, 17-50@41, f/2.8

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/st-leon-2007/img_5828.jpg[/img]

Regards,

Daniel



LeeL -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/26/2007 7:26:30 PM)

How about the canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF III lens on the canon 300D do ya'll think this would be a decent set up for in flight shots?



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/26/2007 8:05:37 PM)

LeeL
That isn't a bad lens, the only thing is it is very light conscious, although it does lower the price of the lens by quite a bit compared to the F/2.8
Being a professional photographer the problem when starting out is getting the most to do what you want for your money, thats especially true in the pleasure photographer arena.

Hands down canon makes the best glass there is on the market period!!!! There are several die hard Nikon fans that will argue that, but the simple fact is every breakthrough in lens technology has come from Canon.

The Cheapest way to go, if you want to be able to take pretty close in air shots, and decent ground shots, would be to go with a f/2.8 canon 70-300 lens, and then get a 2x adapter for it. that will give you the equivalent of up to a 600mm zoom. The only thing is you will have to be conscious of light again, for you will lose approx. 2 f-stops using the 2x.
Still probably the cheapest way to get into it unless you have plenty of resources.
As far as people talking about Sigma lenses, I have had no problem with mine at all, as I have 500mm. Really in shooting planes especially in the air, you shouldn't be using auto-focus anyway as it gives you no control over depth of field, and also unless you select a single focus point from the focus range you can't be sure what it will focus on. Then half the time you will find yourself with a half blurry plane.
If someone is doing a low and slow fly-by it's not too big of a deal, but if you start trying to focus on some of the jets and pylon racers with auto-focus I think you will be very disappointed with the results.
You will find overall learning to shoot in the manual modes will give you a lot more control.
The other thing is the Image Stabilization even in the second generation won't give you much help if any with this type of photography. The first generation is really a waste in my opinion, the second has some uses, but not for this hobby. You will just end up spending a lot more money for a feature that won't help too much.
There are several ways to Fake the lens into capturing faster images in wouldn't normally catch, but they all require you to be using the manual settings.
as far as a "small lens" I really like the 28-55mm as it give you a good ability for macro shoots, and to cover a close to wide angle view.

In Short if you can afford all Canon Glass by all means do so. but I would try and spend the extra on a f/2.8 rather than a 4.0
As far as the USM, that really makes no difference unless you are shooting wildlife, or an event where it's important for sound to be suppressed.
But either way if you are focusing manually, the USM makes no difference in those shots as well.



Daniel Just -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/26/2007 8:27:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sentimental_fool65
If someone is doing a low and slow fly-by it's not too big of a deal, but if you start trying to focus on some of the jets and pylon racers with auto-focus I think you will be very disappointed with the results.


I agree to a certain degree, we're givin' the autofocus a hard time catching model airplanes, but I myself don't think I would habe been able to get this attached series of pictures (note the numbering, it was one fly by, three sequential shots, the jet was fast) with manual focus. The AF on my 30D did a great job here. If you are able to catch something like this focussing manually - Respect! If you are looking into the exifs, I was also zooming out during the shoot, so...

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/alzey-2006/img_3956.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/alzey-2006/img_3957.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.danieljust.de/galerien/alzey-2006/img_3958.jpg[/img]

BTW, these shots were taken with the 75-300III USM. I don't know how much slower the non USM is, but I guess when not pushing too hard you'll get some really good shots with it.

Regards,

Daniel



sentimental_fool65 -> RE: What lens for Canon Rebel and RC planes? (7/26/2007 9:58:19 PM)

Daniel those are some great photo's, How do you like your 30D?
I'm still using my 20d mostly, as i'm waiting to order the new pro version since they finally included the sensor cleaning into it. but I think I'll wait a year and use my 20d and Elan till then.

I'm surprised at how well the camera did with the auto-focus honestly.
What I usually do with the faster planes is set a speed trap, basically set up the area I want to photograph at, get a initial rough focus, then follow it to the focus range and start shooting. The thing that has helped though is having twist zoom lenses instead of the sliding zoom, If I had to slide the zoom of the lens back and forth there would be no way I could keep using a different zoom and focus
Although the problem for me with auto-focus is I use a around 400 to 1000mm quite often, and man the auto-focus is a dog for those. There is no doubt though that you will end up with some sore arms with manual focus. I guess part of the problem is I 'm partially paralyzed and don't move real quickly, so I usually shoot from quite a distance rather than getting down on the flight line Unless I know the Pilots VERY WELL LOL.

You defiantly have some talent as a photographer though, my compliments.

on the USM most of my lenses have it because I do a lot of wildlife, and sporting events that you get some strange looks if your camera or lens is making much noise. At the time when I got them Canon said that it really wasn't a matter of speed of focusing or anything other than it was just a quite focusing system, they said the USM stood for Ultra-sonic motor. They may have changed something with them since I bought my lenses from them though, as the lenses are so good, I've really never had to think about replacing the ones I have. But then I got them when I purchased my Elan when they were first introducing the USM lenses.......... Man I'm getting Old LOL



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