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Which prime for surf photography?

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diver ry

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Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a prime for surf photography (from land), but not sure which focal length is going to be the best bet on my crop sensor (40D). Was looking at the 400mm f/5.6L, but I'd like to have IS, so unless Canon releases this soon, it's out of the picture. Is the 300mm f/4L going to be long enough? Guess I could always add a t/c.

Oh, and forget the 400mm f/4 IS DO, it's out of my price range.

Thanks for any help!

Ry.
 
On the rare occaisions I've shot this I've used a 100-400mm L IS on a APS-C body and a 500mm f/4 with a 1.4x TC on an APS-H body.
 
Thanks for the replys. Luckily our breaks aren't as far off the coast around here as some other places, but still, I agree, longer is better. I'm going to grab a 70-200 as well to cover that range.

What I really need is a 400mm f4L IS USM, and maybe a 1.4x t/c. Now if only Canon would release such a lens...

For now, I'm thinking I might try some in water surf photography too, with my 11-16.
 
There are two very good zooms. I have two friends who are fanatical aviation photographers who have images published, etc; they both use the Canon 100 - 400 IS lens.

I would also suggest the 150 - 500 OS (which is supposedly good for four stops down) which produces very good images.

In surfing, like many sports, the action can be nearer or further away so a zoom is really the best lens for action like that. Get yourself a cheap monopod and use it with your lens and camera.
--
Rationally I have no hope, irrationally I believe in miracles.
Joni Mitchell
 
Hi There

I´m an enthusiast on surfing and bodyboarding photography also. I own a sigma 150-500mm and like it very much, it has a very fast AF and IQ is quite good (but not as good as the 400 5.6 L). The zoom is realy handy, and for surfing photography I agree that a zoom is probably better than a prime...

Anyway, you can visit my blog http://pmcascao.blogspot.com and see my lasy 2 photos taken with a 40D and the 150-500mm.
Regards

Pedro
 
I was going to suggest the 300F4 and 2x. I shot Jet Ski racing a few times and remember getting to the surf with Mamiya 645 and 500mm F4.5 lens. Got scared and went to a 300mm F5.6 and 2x, felt a little braver as the water was closing in on my waist. I would even consider one of the Sigma xx-500 zooms or the Tamron 200-500 zoom. Can you swing the Sigma 100-300 F4 and a 2x?
 
Try to get a used 300mm f2.8, non IS and add 1.4 and x2 converters. Add a tripod and you have an excellent set up for surfing.

you cannot freeze action with IS
 
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