Oops, I bought a 40-150 f2.8 + TC

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Heh. To satisfy my curiosity and lacking one of the native 300 zooms, I've been shooting soccer with the 150/2 with the two ECs, one converter per half. This gives me 212/4 (equal to the Pro zoom and MC14) and 300/4 (equal to the Pro tele). Paired with the 40-150 Pro on camera 2 I'm liking the double-reach of 300 for anything farther than (SWAG) 30 yards or so, common shooting distances on the pitch (end-to-end the players are still small at 12X magnification). At the same time racking out to 40mm allows nearby action when the players are scooting past my position at the sideline or the lucky break when I happen to be by the net for a goal. (That last is RARE.)

I learned several seasons ago, as the girls got faster, the teams larger and the fields longer, that soccer is a two-camera sport. No super zoom gives adequate speed and subject separation and EVERY fast zoom is compromised by its zoom range. Two fast zooms are okay but the crossover always seems to be at an awkward point. e.g., the 12-60 + 50-200 or the 12-40+40-150.

Long-zoom fans will have their 100-400 some day but I'm seeing the brilliance in Oly's path. It's going to work out splendidly.

Cheers,

Rick

I recently got the 150/2 and have really fallen in love with that lens. I originally got the 50-200 because I knew I really needed more reach. The 40-150 Pro with TC gives me 420mm vs the 560mm of the 50-200 with TC, that extra 140mm of reach really is a lot. But now I find myself trying to only use the 150/2 without any TC and just relying on my skills to get me closer to the animals (I use the TC's when I need the extra reach). When faced with which lens to use for a wakeboard competition I went with the 150/2 over the more convenient zoom and never regretted the decision. I am really loving that lens...........

I agree, the 300/4 and 40-150 will make a great sports combo. As will using one of the other combos (7-14, 8, 12-40) depending on the sport and your positioning. I am anxious to try the 7-14 (going to buy it here soon) on a turn of a motocross track while using one of my other lenses to catch other action.

oh, forgot to add........not really interested in the 100-400 as it really is pretty slow.  My 50-200 with the EC-20 is almost the same thing (a little slower) and I only use that combo when it is really bright. That alone has made me decide to not even consider that lens, sucks because I would like a 100-400 in ƒ4 constant aperture.