Which lens for horse photography?

[Jesse Custer99528]

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I need something longer.

Which lens would you recommend? I was thinking 70-200 4L but is that too short? Would I be better off with a 200 2.8 and then follow it up with a 1.4 extender?

(By the way, my camera is a 1D, if that matters.)

 

[Dom167916]

...you do choose in the end, just double check to make sure the horse doesnt have wood before you get in too close.

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other
horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I
need something longer.

Which lens would you recommend? I was thinking 70-200 4L but is
that too short? Would I be better off with a 200 2.8 and then
follow it up with a 1.4 extender?

(By the way, my camera is a 1D, if that matters.)

-

 

[TargetSu]

--
Paul S.
Canon EOS 10D

http://www.pbase.com/paulsurette

'Friends don't let friends shoot Nikon.'

Website in the works...

 

[Dom167916]

consider the sigma ex 70-200 f2.8? Use with 1.4x T/C when needed, for 280mm f/4 ?

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other
horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I
need something longer.

Which lens would you recommend? I was thinking 70-200 4L but is
that too short? Would I be better off with a 200 2.8 and then
follow it up with a 1.4 extender?

(By the way, my camera is a 1D, if that matters.)

--
http://www.pbase.com/dom277

 

[Mark B.]

I've been tagging along with my wife the past few years to horse shows, I usually take a 70-200 f/2.8 for stuff in the ring. With the 1D (I use a 10D), that might be a little short. If I do portraits I use a 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, or maybe just a 100 f/2.8.

Mark

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other
horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I
need something longer.

Which lens would you recommend? I was thinking 70-200 4L but is
that too short? Would I be better off with a 200 2.8 and then
follow it up with a 1.4 extender?

(By the way, my camera is a 1D, if that matters.)

 

[Dennis Lathem49692]

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other
horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I
need something longer.

I have used my 100-400 f4.5/5.6 at a saddlebred show (when I shot with a D60). The event was outside, but in a ring with a shed over it. Better light than inside, but not much. I actually used my 550EX and one of the extenda flash attachments (+3) and it threw the light right out there. I was amazed. Of course, my rig looked like the CIA had just dropped me down from a black helicopter and folks began to look at me so I quit and slipped away.

Since we got out of the horse business I have not had a chance to try my 17-40.

--
CDL

See Profile for gear stuff
Pbase Supporter

 

[MrFoopy]

I'm thinking of tagging along with my wife to dressage/jumper/other
horse shows. But, so far, I only have a 28-75 2.8 lens and I know I
need something longer.

Which lens would you recommend? I was thinking 70-200 4L but is
that too short? Would I be better off with a 200 2.8 and then
follow it up with a 1.4 extender?

(By the way, my camera is a 1D, if that matters.)

I was in the same situation as you for my first time at a relative's dressage show. I took my slow Sigma zoom along just to see what focal lengths I used. It was outdoors in good sun, and most of my best shots were around 200mm. A 70-200mm f/4 L would have been perfect. I brought a monopod, but didn't end up using it. Balancing on the railing worked just fine.

The pro had a 100-400L, I think, and a tripod you could dock a blimp at.

-foop

 

[emyr evans]

See here for horse pics with a variety of lenses
http://www.pbase.com/emyrevans1/horses

'You must have a really good camera'!!

 

[Michael Humpherson]

I use a 70-200 f2.8 and this is fine for most reaches. But at some events due to backlighting, the course layout (ie horses jumping with the sun at thier backs) it is handy to use my 100-400. It gives me the flex to go around and shoot a wider variety of fences.

And of course for wide angle or close portrait work etc to 24-70 comes out.

 

[drdan]

I have been shooting my daughter's show jumping for a number of years first with film, then P&S digital and now a 10D. I have, due to cost restraints, been limited to the 28-135 IS and the 75-300 IS. Both not the greatest lenses. Unfortunately, the results have been wanting. Not the sharpness I have been looking for. I plan on getting a 70-200L 2.8 after reviewing many of my previous photos which are rarely zoomed past 200mm. I also plan on getting the 1.4X TC. In the winter all of my photography is done in indoor arenas so hopefully a faster lens will allow a little more versatility. The only other alternative I would consider would be the 100-300L but everyone raves about the sharpness of the 70-200. I think that the most important detail is support. When I use a monopod, my photos are clearly better. Happy shooting.
Dan

I use a 70-200 f2.8 and this is fine for most reaches. But at some
events due to backlighting, the course layout (ie horses jumping
with the sun at thier backs) it is handy to use my 100-400. It
gives me the flex to go around and shoot a wider variety of fences.

And of course for wide angle or close portrait work etc to 24-70
comes out.