Hand Holding an EF 300mm f/2.8 - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/04/2009 10:07:05 AM · #1

Hello all,

There is some sort of snowboard event exhibition in NYC tomorrow, and I runs from 3-7:30 or around that. I thought that it would be cool to treat myself to a completely unobtainable (for me at this point) piece of glass to play with for a day.

I want to rent the 300mm 2.8 and test it out at this event. The only "snag" is that I don't have a monopod, and my tripod is a piece of crap. I don't want to spend money renting this lens if all my pictures are going to blury anyway because due to the lack of solid stabilization. For those of you who have had experience with this lens, do you ever hand-hold it?

Also, I might be able to get my hands on a 400mm 5.6 to borrow for free for the day, but I fear 5.6 just wont be fast enough...

dainmcgowan

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/04/2009 10:21:08 AM · #2

Originally posted by sjl2116:

if you use the rule of thumb guide, you would have to have a shutter speed of 1/500 on your camera to avoid shake!

your 2 options are
1 - shoot at 1/500, f2.8 and set the ISO to get the exposure.
2 - set a slower shutter speed and try panning with your subject.

good luck

bobonacus

Canon EOS-7D

02/04/2009 10:34:45 AM · #3

check and review your images as you go as well ... if they are blurry up your shutter speed accordingly. More times than I'd like to reveal I've used 1 setting for a whole shoot and at the end they are all rubbish!

I'd recommend buying a cheap monopod and a belt pouch, the monopod leg sits in the belt pouch and offers so much stability and because the monopod is not really extended at all the quality of the monopod is irrelevant

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/04/2009 10:36:20 AM · #4

If your talking about the Canon 300/2.8 you won't be holding that to your eye for 4+ hours. Mind you, even the Sigma 300/2.8 can only really be hand held (by me) for a short time.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/04/2009 10:38:57 AM · #5

The 300/2.8 has IS, hand holding should be fine. And if you have shutter speed problems, the 50D should let you bump the ISO higher without too much noise. I say GO FOR IT! I would. :)

I have the 400/2.8 scheduled for rental at an air show this summer ... I'll definitely use a monopod for that one or I'll blow my shoulders out!

02/04/2009 10:45:07 AM · #6

Thanks for the responses guys. This isn't a job, its all for fun, so its not like I absolutely need to get the shots. Looking around at various rental places, I might just try my luck with the 400mm 5.6, which I can get from a friend, that way I don't have to worry about getting it to a store by a strict deadline.

Also I don't "quite" have the $4,000 to put down for the deposit required to rent the 300mm 2.8 :)

I'll post some shots after the event, it should be fun...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/04/2009 10:46:48 AM · #7

Originally posted by dwterry:

*Homer Simpson voice* 400/2.8....droool

That should be awesome. I'm jealous.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

02/04/2009 10:50:35 AM · #8

Originally posted by dainmcgowan:

You would probably need a shutter speed like 1/500 anyway, so that won't be the problem. Your 50D should easily manage good quality at ISO 1600, too. And I've read that it performs acceptable on ISO 3200, so grab the 400mm too just for the fun of it!

But, isn't the 300mm lens very heavy? Holding that and your camera for many hours will be quite the work out. Just use your tripod! It's not like it's going to hold that lens steady pointing at a fixed position for hours, you'll have to move it around continuesly to get the best angle. It will do just fine leaverage (did I spell that right?).

Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to rent a lens like that?

Anyway, I emvy you for trying a lens like that at a snowboard exhibition! It will surely be awesome! May we see your best shot in the Free Study? ;)

And as I wrote this, half of the members at DPC posted their reply... Oh well...

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 10:52:55.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

02/04/2009 10:57:04 AM · #9

Originally posted by BJamy:

the 300/2.8 looks like beast so I thought I would ask, but I will be going with 400 due to the logistics of obtaining a $4,000+ lens in a day.

Btw, you can rent the 300/2.8 from Adorama for 24hrs for $50 (if you front them the cost the lens :0 )

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

02/04/2009 03:33:59 PM · #10

In broad daylight I can hand hold my 300mm f/4 with absolutely no problems. The 300mm f/2.8 should be fine, you can probably even stop down a bit and still get very fast shutter speeds.

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/04/2009 04:57:02 PM · #11

I would try to shoot a memory card full during the first 30 minutes as you might be able to get some sunny daylight. The rest of the evening will probably be with those big massive lights I don't remember the name for. I looked it up in my dictionary and it said searchlights... I guess you know what I mean. Dealing with that kinda light will be very rewarding for you as a photographer!

Speaking of memory cards... Hope you have at least two cards and a spare battery. If you don't then that's a good investment =) I don't think you'll need more than one of each, but better safe than sorry! You can always throw your lens at snowboarders too if you run out of memory or battery.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/04/2009 05:16:49 PM · #12

Originally posted by BJamy:

Hmmm...well the lens is a rental...

BJokerud

Nikon D3s

02/04/2009 05:59:08 PM · #13

Originally posted by sjl2116:

Originally posted by BJamy:
I would try to shoot a memory card full during the first 30 minutes as you might be able to get some sunny daylight. The rest of the evening will probably be with those big massive lights I don't remember the name for. I looked it up in my dictionary and it said searchlights... I guess you know what I mean. Dealing with that kinda light will be very rewarding for you as a photographer!

Speaking of memory cards... Hope you have at least two cards and a spare battery. If you don't then that's a good investment =) I don't think you'll need more than one of each, but better safe than sorry! You can always throw your lens at snowboarders too if you run out of memory or battery.

Hmmm...well the lens is a rental...

Lens that size would knock the boarder out, so just go get it. Everyone here will probably hate me for saying this, but I really would like to throw a lens one time. Got to admit it... Things that are not meant to be throwned usually are perfect throwingobjects.

Anyway! Just shoot lots of photos and show us! I'm dying to see! Have FUN!