Plane Spotting Lens (Canon)

MichaelAwkward

MichaelAwkward

MichaelAwkward

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Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations for a good telephoto lens to use for aviation photography. I've never done it before but Southampton Airport is around the corner.

I currently have a 100D, and my budget is as little as possible.

I've narrowed it down to the 70-300 IS USM or 55-250 IS STM, or something like the Tamron 70-300 Di VC... any thoughts?
 
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I have the Tamron 70-300 DI VC. It is a great lens, very versatile and was my first 'big' lens.

All of the following were taken with it on a 550D: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubolard/sets/72157645554571444/
More taken with the same lens on a 400D:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubolard/sets/72157645226353691/

I'm now using a 300L prime on a 7D, but haven't really used it in anger. I've only made it to Coningsby once and Doncaster twice and they were some very snatched shots in sub-zero temperatures:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubolard/sets/72157650325457416/

Although I have the prime, I'm not thinking of retiring the Tamron as it is so useful.
 
Yeah, that's what I thought. No IS either unless I pony up even more.

I've found the 55-250mm IS STM for little over £100, might give it a go rather than the Tamron at more than twice that. Reviews say it's optically decent (as good as the Canon 70-300 IS USM apparently), just doesn't have the build quality of the alternatives.
 
55-250STM should be pretty decent IQ wise for the money but definitely might lack reach.

I bought the 70-200mm F4L as my first longish lens and it just made me want longer ones :)
 
IS is probably more use at an airshow for helicopters and prop planes, which you typically shoot with a much lower shutter speed so that the rotors / props have some movement in them.

Shooting jets, you generally use the fastest shutter speed that you can and accordingly IS becomes less important.
 
I started off with a 55-250 before moving up to the 300. Eventually ended up replacing the 55-250 with a 70-200 though when finances permitted. Use mine almost exclusively for low level aviation.
 
Food for thought, thanks guys.

I won't be using it exclusively for aviation, more just for dabbling as well as everything else teles are good for. Don't think I can justify an L lens yet so I'll take a punt on the 55-250 STM for £125. Also think it'd be better suited to the 100D body I have at the moment. A heavier L lens would look a bit silly :P
 
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MichaelAwkward said:
Food for thought, thanks guys.

I won't be using it exclusively for aviation, more just for dabbling as well as everything else teles are good for. Don't think I can justify an L lens yet so I'll take a punt on the 55-250 STM for £125. Also think it'd be better suited to the 100D body I have at the moment. A heavier L lens would look a bit silly :P
Click to expand...

Big lenses are never silly :P For £125 you're getting a lot I think and then you can start saving for that new 100-400mm mk2 if you want more range ;) hehe
 
So I just bought a used 70-200 F4 L (non-IS) off eBay for £339.99... the lens is in pretty good condition from the photos (although the hood is a bit worse for wear - hopefully this is a sign that it's been a good lens for someone who's now upgraded). I figured that it's better to spend the extra now rather than struggling to sell the 55-250 at some point in the future.
 
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The 70-200mm F4L is very nice but the 55-250mm STM or USM mk2 versions are pretty decent too for the money :) Don't think you would have been disappointed by either tbh.

The F4L is sharp :D
 
On the 100D...

CIdSny8.jpg

:D:D

Really pleased with the condition, there isn't a mark on it. Everything works nicely so far as I can tell. The photography from the bay made it look a lot worse. From the code, it was made in Utsunomiya, Japan in August, 2004.
 
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