Lense for cross country events

[Schnauzer]

My daughter will be starting her cross country horse eventing competition very shortly . As soon as all the snow is gone and the mud dries up . She steps up a division each year and has won her division for the last three years . Only a couple of levels to go and she will be at the Olympic level her goal , although I think medical school is going to put a crimp in that .
I am looking for a lense to record some of the events . She may come out of the woods a quarter of a mile away at a full gallop headed for a jump , maybe go through some water or however they have the course set up . I usually set my self up near a jump so I can get some pictures of her coming and get her while the horse is in the air going over the jump .
I have been looking at the Tamron AF 28-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 . How would this work for my needs as described ? Opinions or recommendations would be appreciated .

[nomaddan]

Het Ron,

I think your biggest problem may be getting a fast enough lens. Sounds like you may be shooting in some pretty tough conditions. Getting a 300mm 2.8 would very expensive but I think that might be what you would need. That Tamrom might work if you can find a place to setup that is in a field on a very sunny day. How close will you be able to get to her? If you can get close than a 50 1.8 would work pretty well.

Here are some links...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194451&is=USA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12064&is=USA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=129190&is=GREY

andd really expensive...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=183202&is=USA

[Ibn]

Given the shooting conditions, I'd take a look at two different lenses. I shoot Nikon, but Canon also offers similar lenses in the same focal distance and apertures.

The first would be the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. This sucker isn't cheap, but the quality of pictures that come out of it are amazing. It's also not light either, so you'll have to mount it on a tripod or really get used to the weight (tripod would be better of course). It's a quick lens that allow you to track movement. If you want to go long later down the line, it goes well with either the 1.4x or the 1.7x TC. Adding a 1.4x TC will turn that lens into a 98-280mm f/4 lens (lose 1 stop); adding a 1.7x TC will turn that lens into a 119-340mm w/an aperture of somewhere in the neighborhood of f/4.5 (lose 1 1/2 stop). Both of these will set you back a further $350.

The other lens that I would take a look at is the 300mm f/4L IS. The 300mm f/2.8 is faster than this lens, but for the price (approx. $600 used or $1,150 new), it's really hard to beat. It also works well w/the 1.4x TC, making it an effective 420mm f/5.6, which is still useful.

Given those two choices, I would take a look at 70-200mm instead. It's more expensive than the prime lens, but it's a great zoom. You will get more flexibility out of it due to this reason. Both of these lenses also come in a non-IS flavor and will allow you to save some money also (IS is Canon's Image Stabilizer).

[Schnauzer]

Thanks for the replys . I can , but I hate to go over $ 600 . My budget when I started was about $ 1000.00 .
I have had the 20D for a month and now am over $2000.00 . My wife says when is this camera stuff going to end . I don't see an end in site but I know better than to tell her .

[Ibn]

If $600 is the price range that you're looking at, then might want to consider third party lenses, such as the used Sigma 100-300mm f/4. I own that lens myself (Nikon mount), and it's a lot of lens for the price. Both the optics and build quality are top notch.

Here's a picture of it mounted on a tripod (weighs in at around 3 lbs.).
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/Onei/Tripod/_DSC3263.jpg

I did a quick test of the lens awhile back in this thread:
http://aquatic-photography.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2706

[nomaddan]

Thanks for the replys . I can , but I hate to go over $ 600 . My budget when I started was about $ 1000.00 .
I have had the 20D for a month and now am over $2000.00 . My wife says when is this camera stuff going to end . I don't see an end in site but I know better than to tell her .

LOL! You better tell her now so she has plenty of time to get used to it. Seriously though...The Canon Telephoto EF 200mm f/2.8L II might not be a bad choice. B&H has it for a little over $600. It will limit your wide angle choices but @ 2.8 it will be fast enough to get you some good shots. If you decide to go third party I would stick with the Sigma line they make good lenses and are pretty reliable.

[meriadoc]

you're going to need longer than 200, and a zoom may be a better option over a prime anyway, leads to more flexiblity should he be able to get closer, or the horse gets closer.

best bet would probably be the sigma 100-300 f4, only other option would be the 200 + 1.4 TC, but then, you're still stuck with the prime issue

[nomaddan]

My only objection with a zoom is it limits your speed. I have only been to one competition like you are describing, but from what i remember alot of it was in wooded areas and they run regardless of the weather. If you go with a zoom that limits you to an f4 you will be limited to lower shutter speeds. I assume you have a decent wide angle lens that you could switch out if you get close enough. If not you could get a 50mm 1.8 fairly cheap. Am I right in assuming you will be able to pick a spot and wait for her to come to you? If so that will give you the time yuo need to switch from one lens to the other.

If you are going to be shooting with alot of sunlight in an open field than the 100-300 F4 will work. If not you will not be able to get a high enough shutter speed to stop the action. The other advantage to the zoom is you can follow her and get multiple shots as she gets closer to you.

just my 2 cents.

[Schnauzer]

These competitions are run rain or shine . Almost always they will go through wooded areas between fields . Their can be jumps and water holes anywheres . Nomadden you were pretty well spot on in your description .
What I usually do is look at the course map and position myself where she comes out of the woods the first time and does a jump or water hole and jump . Then I run to a position way down the course where she comes out again and does another jump . You really have to hurry because these horses are really moving .
I already have a 50mm 1.8 .

[hir0]

i agree that all the lenses mentioned are worth looking into. like other's mentioned, it really depends on what type of lighting you are working with - and how close you will be to the action. i'd also like to recommend (if budget is an issue) looking into the canon 70-200 f4L. 2.8 would give you more versatility in low light situations, but it's gonna cost you. a 200mm 2.8 prime would definitely be a nice lens, but i think it may not be versatile enough to warrant the purchase if you plan on using it for other things as well. honestly, i would say a zoom would be a better option, just because of the convenience (not image quality). i use a nikon 70-200 2.8 VR and i must say, it is a very very nice lens. I can guarantee you that you would LOVE the canon version (70-200 2.8 IS). Ron, one thing i'd like to stress is that lens purchases should never be taken lightly (in my case at least, i hate to buy things i'll want to replace in the future). you should save up and invest in something you will really be happy with. if you do plan on upgrading in the future, the best bet would be sticking to canon lenses, as you'll most likely get a better price on it should you decide to sell it later.
if you think 200mm will be enough, these would be my considerations if i were in your shoes:
- canon 70-200 f2.8L IS USM
- canon 70-200 f2.8L USM
- canon 70-200 f4L USM
- canon 200L 2.8L USM
if you need longer:
- canon 300 f4L IS USM
- sigma 100-300 F4 HSM
i would like to point out that i am a nikon user, so my experience is limited. i do frequent FM (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/) forums though. and these are some i've seen people very happy with. if you were shooting in broad daylight with lots of light, i've also seen good results with the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, which seems to be an ok lens for some people. one thing to remember, that some of these lenses can be heavy for handheld use after extended periods. i would have to recommend a good tripod or at least a monopod for extended use. good luck with your lens hunt.

[nomaddan]

I agree with hiro on the picking a lens part. The only thing I would mention is the picking a lens for convenience not image quality. the quickest way to be disappointed with a lens is if you don't get the image quality you want from it.

What I have tried to do with me lenses is cover the whole range. I have a 22-55, 28, 50 and a 50 - 200. So no matter what I am doing I have a lens for the occasion. My only limitation right now is a fast telephoto.

Good Luck! Let us know what you go with and I want to see some shots.

Dan