Digital SLR Accessories - The Lenses

[mrhenniger]

OK... Tulio touched on this in the other thread, so I might as well ask now. What lenses do you use? Don't just give me a list, but tell me why and where you use each lense. Also, if you don't like a particular lense and wish you had another I want to know that as well.

This discussion doesn't have to be limited to Canon products.

Looking forward to what you have to say.

Mike

[Ollie]

I use the stock 18-55mm lens for general purpose and taking pictures of things close by.

For long range and anything flying, I have a Canon EF 75-300mm lens, and it's pretty much all I use.

[TimAPNY]

I'll second the 70-300mm lens. I would not cheap out on a 200mm, I'm pretty sure its not that much more money for the step up.

I also use the stock 18-55 or what ever lens came with my camera. Works fine for me.

But I really what a new Macro lens, but that has nothing to do with Avaition photos.

[Tulio]

I have the followiing:

Canon EF-S 17-85mm
Canon 70-200m EF 1:2.8 L IS USM (a mouthful just to say it).

Also, the 1.2 teleconverter for the above 70-200.

The 17-85 is for general stuff, close ups, and mid-distance shots.

I use the 70-200 for stuff that is too far for me to approach, or across runways and long aprons.

What I really would like to have, is the 28 - 300mm which is what I should have bought instead of the 70-200 (that would make it two fewer lenses to carry in my backpack).

The 17-85 pretty much covers the close up stuff well, and if I had to think about an upgrade, it would probably be a camera body, but that would be a long time coming.

The 28-300 though, is a distinct possibility for 2006.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Roger Cain]

I've just upgraded this winter from my Canon EOS A2 to a Canon 20D (digital)

I've been doing some air to air recently, and swapped back and forth between lenses using my 28-105mm and the stock 18-55mm.

I believe for closly parked aircraft, such as air shows, I'll probably need to use the 18-55mm in order to get the whole plane in. I think the 28- will magnify too much in digital.

I also have the 75-300mm IS which was my big lens, but have now purchased the 100-400mm IS L lens. It broke within the first couple of times I used it and had to have it repaired. This is basically used for ground to air/runway shots. You can see a few of my pictures at: http://www.napanet.net/~arbeau/usaah/update.htm that were taken from the ground with the 100-400mm (The PT-20, Stearman, and Piper Clipper)

All lens' are Canon. I had some Sigma lenses which I used with my older Rebel and A2, but had some disappointing results. I've stuck with Canon glass ever since.

[bdk]

I also have the 75-300mm IS which was my big lens, but have now purchased the 100-400mm IS L lens. It broke within the first couple of times I used it and had to have it repaired.

You dropped it or it just stopped working? I'm wondering how robust the IS lenses are.

[Roger Cain]

Never touched a thing but my camera, had a spring or clip come loose inside.............

[Scott Rose]

I use the stock 18-55mm lens for general purpose and taking pictures of things close by.

For long range and anything flying, I have a Canon EF 75-300mm lens, and it's pretty much all I use.

Pretty much the same here. I do want to get a second body since switching lenses is usually done at the wrong moment and attracts dust on the CCD, especially at airshows.

[Ollie]

Great minds think alike Scott!

That's exactly what I'd like to do...

Swaping CF cards is much faster. I'd settle for a used body though...

[Tim Adams]

24-70 f/2.8L for the inside hanger stuff, and get the entire airplane in the shot stuff. Looking to get the 10-22 so I get get really wide with the 20D and 30D.
70-200 f/2.8L IS for taxi shots, IS helps to get the prop blur, and for zoomed closeups of aircraft. I hate peoples feet in shot. I try to avoid it as much as possible.
100-400L IS for all the airborne stuff. 400mm is really the bare minimum to fill the frame for single aircraft shots, unless it is a bomber. The zoom is also great for military teams. With a 400mm fixed it is real tough to keep all the planes in the frame.

As for having two bodies, yes it is expensive as heck, but you get spoiled real fast not having to swap lenses all the time.