DSLR Lenses

Hi all, Just thought I would start a thread on camera lenses, wondering what everyone else use for Aviation and marine vessels.

I use a NIKON 55-300mm VRII lens, usually on maximum 300mm unless I can get nearer to the ships without getting wet.

Sometimes the 18-55 kit lens makes an appearence if the vessels are docked or if Im at the end of Bournemouth International runway and the planes are just above my head. :)

Now wondering if a fixed 50mm f1.8 or f1.4 would come in handy. ?? has anyone used one for close ups?

wide angle lenses? Do you need the £££ lens or has anyone tried the add ons??

what have you got?????????????????????????????

Look forward to hearing from you all :) que discussion :D

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Permalink Reply by Humphrey Manusiwa on October 12, 2012 at 7:45

Hi Steve,

Usually use my DX Nikon 70-300mm VRII and the FX Nikon 35-70mm 2.8. Both small to carry and handsome to use for taking quick pics. Especially the 70-300mm VRII, also popular by Ken Rockwell as well as the 35-70 2.8 a colorfull lens. Sometimes i use the 170-500mm for long range pics. On airports there is always heat haze, and always noticed in long range pics. The FX 50mm 1.8 is a superb lens but i dont use it much because i change postion much and mostly not near a plane in a range of 5m. The lenses been mounted on my D90 and D200 mostly. Sometimes use the FX on my full frame cameras. Sometimes i still use my old analog cameras the F3 and FE2. Such a beatifull pics with on analog films and with the Nikon lead lenses.

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Permalink Reply by Hans Fairhurst on October 12, 2012 at 12:01

Good topic Steve..!! For ships I normally start with a 70-300mm (mine is Sigma). Plenty of range from a long way out to in close. Once the ship is too close, I do a quick switch to a Sigma 17-70mm for side-on shots. For ships anchored off the coast, I use a 100-400mm but a solid tripod is a must.

At the airport I use the 70-300mm almost exclusively. Zoom in for an aircraft on approach and slowly wind it out as it gets closer. It is pointless doing ground shots at Perth in summer because of heat shimmer even over short distances.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Sparks on October 13, 2012 at 19:11

Hi Steve,
My first reply on Pinkfroot.. Ok I have a couple of canon cameras, one being a 450d which I tend to use my 70/300mm on, and a 5D mark 2 full frame, which I tend to use with my 24/70 usm lens. I am lucky enough to have been to sxm, St Maarten, or as we know TNCM, half a dozen times, it is the most amazing place I have ever been to, so the 24 /70 lens comes in real handy for some of the extraordinarily low approaches over Maho Beach, if you love planes n jets you gotta go.!! I There are a couple of real good beach bars either side of this beach, for when the sun moves so you never get bored. will post a few of my pics from TNCM soon.
I also use for a bit of fun, a canon fixed focal 15 mm fisheye lens, get some spectacular images on the full frame sensor.
Unfortunately I haven't any major airports to close by, a lot of air traffic, but all the heavies going out over Herefordshire are just a bit to high, I was thinking of buying a sigma 50/500mm f5-6 , at least I could get a few images, of these and local, military kit,
Any views if you think this lens could be a good addition to me would be appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Shaun Jones on October 14, 2012 at 6:06

Vast majority of my shots are from my Nikon D80 and Nikon 18-200 which has served me well. I also use a Sigma 10-20mm when close enough. Graduated to a D800 recently and have used a Nikon 24-70mm which is pin sharp and blew me away. Next on the list will be the Nikon 70-200mm subject to funds!! DX format with the 1.5 crop is still very good when you need reach but the clarity of the D800 coupled with good glass is second to none. I have 35 and 50mm Primes which are great but not used for shipping as yet as they do not have the flexibility of a zoom.

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Permalink Reply by melvin derek laycock on October 14, 2012 at 9:11

Hi steve i use for aviation shots distance sigma 135-400 and and a canon 75-300 for landing aircraft and taking off also use 18-200 tameron for static and close up aircraft just recently used my 135-400 at tenerife airport south right at the side of runway on a specialy prepared mound for photographers my camera canon 400d

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Permalink Reply by David Slater on October 15, 2012 at 11:10

Hi Steve,
My camera bodies are Canon (a 40D and a 7D) but all the lenses I use are from Sigma.
Around the airports I use a Sigma DG 70-300mm and a Sigma 28-135mm and can cover most situations with those.
At airshows and zoos I often have to use my Sigma 170-500mm to get the shots I want.
In museums or around cities I use a Sigma 18-50mm just to give a wider angle.
I really like these lenses as they are, in my view, good quality without paying the higher prices.
Quick note to Rob - have you managed a visit to St. Barts whilst being at St. Maarten? No jets but a very interesting approach and good spots for photography!!

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Permalink Reply by Rob Sparks on October 15, 2012 at 21:16

Hi Dave,

yes i managed a couple of trips to St Barts, the first in an Islander, the second in a Winnair twin otter

amazing landing stall warnings etc, you just dont realise how good the pilots are until you see how

steep that hill is on the approach, your life really is in their hands. !!!

I was lucky enough to be there last year, we had 4 warbirds operating out of TNCM., a Kittyhawk, mutang,

corsair, and a Mitchell, will post some pics soon.

Regards Rob.

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Permalink Reply by David Slater on October 15, 2012 at 23:06

My family and I went this last winter. Me and my two boys loved sitting at the top of the hill in St Barts (we travelled on the Winair) and at The Sunset at Maho! Don't think I will convince my wife that we need to go back soon though! Still I do get a trip to Vegas in Nov for Nellis Airshow so looking forward to that!

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Permalink Reply by John McLeish on October 21, 2012 at 3:17

Steve,

you are doing ok with the equipment you have.

Forget the notion that you have to buy big...........

Enjoy your photography as we enjoy your uploads.

John.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Lawson on October 23, 2012 at 20:24

Good topic.
Is anyone else out there a fan of the L-series Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM super telephoto zoom lens equipped with an Image Stabilizer? One of my favorite lens features found on the 100-400 is image stabilization. The image stabilizer helps significantly when handholding in low light.

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Permalink Reply by Front Range on October 27, 2012 at 6:43

Patrick, I'm also interested in the image stabilization topic. I'm considering a canon 70-200mm L-series lens for on- airport photos, but I'd like to save some money and not purchase the IS option. Is image stabilization really necessary in good light even if it's hand held?

I don't consider this a Canon specific question, so others please comment on the general need for IS.

Thanks,

Mike B.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Lawson on October 27, 2012 at 16:49

Certainly one of the main disadvantages of lens-based image stabilization is the higher price tag that comes with it, but for me the advantage of sharper images are were worth the extra cost. And not having to carry around a tripod is nice.

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions...