Steve'sDigicams

Mark1616 · Mar 17, 2007, 12:22 PM

It's been a long time coming but today I got my hands on the lens I have been wanting for ages.

It's going to be a bit of a learning curve to get used to the extra weight and shooting with a monopod if out for extended periods. Also it seems to need longer for the AF to lock on than with my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 or the Canon 100-400mm (or it could just be me).

Here are three from a portion of a hockey match which I manged to get to to try this baby out.

As I was splashing out I also go the Canon 50mm f1.8 to add to my 85mm, a Sigma 10-20mm, off camera flash cable and Tamrac Expedition 8 as my 7 is not large enough to get everything.

Let me know what you think.

Mark

Edit, I've just gone through the womans match which I also manged to see part of so here are some of that.

JohnG · Mar 18, 2007, 6:57 AM

Mark,

Congrats on the new purchase! Interesting that yours focuses slower than your 70-200 - it's the other way around for me. The only thing I don't like is its not parafocal so if you zoom you have to re-focus. And yes, shooting with a monopod takes some getting used to

Anyway, congrats!

By the way - the save shot is my fav!

k1par · Mar 18, 2007, 8:23 AM

Those are some goooood shots. The second shot shows total concentration and yes I like the goalie shot also but all are good. Congrats on the new lens and it does take time getting used to a monopod. I had to when I bought my Sigma 170-500, it will take a little time but you will soon not even notice it.

musket · Mar 18, 2007, 1:00 PM

Really great sporting shots, well taken

Mark1616 · Mar 18, 2007, 3:26 PM

Thanks guys.

TG · Mar 19, 2007, 5:43 AM

Nice shots Mark, they look great especially for f2.8. Strange it takes a bit longer to lock on AF. How is the AF tracking in AI Servo & how do find the sharpness compared to your 70-200?

Mark1616 · Mar 19, 2007, 7:57 AM

It's the tracking that I'm not sure about however I've still only used it a couple of times so making sure it is not my technique but it does seem to be missing more than the 70-200 f2.8 and 100-400. Thiscould also be that the dof is very small at f2.8 so any slight error is going to make a miss. I have not tried it at anything other than 2.8 or f4 with the 1.4x telecon on but will let you know when I have played more.

Trique Daddi · Mar 20, 2007, 8:00 PM

Terrific series! They are very sharp! congratson the lens! I would love to have one. Maybe someday. Thanks for sharing. just curious what monopos are you using I am considering one. I have a 70-200mm 2.8 and a 2x extender so it will need to be sturdy.

Trique Daddi

Mark1616 · Mar 20, 2007, 8:07 PM

Thanks.

If you find you need a monopod with the 70-200 and 2x telelcon then there are loads of choice as there is not a huge amount of weight. I only have a very basic Velbon which is good enough for what I do and even though it is cheap it is very rigid. Personally I never found I needed to use it with the 70-200 witheither the 1.4 or 2x telecons as the combination was light enough to manage OK. It is only that the 120-300 is a lot heavier so the support is really beneficial.

lesmore49 · Mar 21, 2007, 5:58 PM

That looks like it could be a rough sport. Mouth guards and shin guards are ok, but I would feel safer suited up like an ice hockey player.

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Mar 17, 2007, 12:22 PM	#1
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,456	It's been a long time coming but today I got my hands on the lens I have been wanting for ages. It's going to be a bit of a learning curve to get used to the extra weight and shooting with a monopod if out for extended periods. Also it seems to need longer for the AF to lock on than with my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 or the Canon 100-400mm (or it could just be me). Here are three from a portion of a hockey match which I manged to get to to try this baby out. As I was splashing out I also go the Canon 50mm f1.8 to add to my 85mm, a Sigma 10-20mm, off camera flash cable and Tamrac Expedition 8 as my 7 is not large enough to get everything. Let me know what you think. Mark Edit, I've just gone through the womans match which I also manged to see part of so here are some of that.

Mar 18, 2007, 6:57 AM	#2
JohnG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 8,529	Mark, Congrats on the new purchase! Interesting that yours focuses slower than your 70-200 - it's the other way around for me. The only thing I don't like is its not parafocal so if you zoom you have to re-focus. And yes, shooting with a monopod takes some getting used to Anyway, congrats! By the way - the save shot is my fav!

Mar 18, 2007, 8:23 AM	#3
k1par Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 608	Those are some goooood shots. The second shot shows total concentration and yes I like the goalie shot also but all are good. Congrats on the new lens and it does take time getting used to a monopod. I had to when I bought my Sigma 170-500, it will take a little time but you will soon not even notice it.

Mar 18, 2007, 1:00 PM	#4
musket Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,782	Really great sporting shots, well taken

Mar 18, 2007, 3:26 PM	#5
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,456	Thanks guys.

Mar 19, 2007, 5:43 AM	#6
TG Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 643	Nice shots Mark, they look great especially for f2.8. Strange it takes a bit longer to lock on AF. How is the AF tracking in AI Servo & how do find the sharpness compared to your 70-200?

Mar 19, 2007, 7:57 AM	#7
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,456	It's the tracking that I'm not sure about however I've still only used it a couple of times so making sure it is not my technique but it does seem to be missing more than the 70-200 f2.8 and 100-400. Thiscould also be that the dof is very small at f2.8 so any slight error is going to make a miss. I have not tried it at anything other than 2.8 or f4 with the 1.4x telecon on but will let you know when I have played more.

Mar 20, 2007, 8:00 PM	#8
Trique Daddi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 282	Terrific series! They are very sharp! congratson the lens! I would love to have one. Maybe someday. Thanks for sharing. just curious what monopos are you using I am considering one. I have a 70-200mm 2.8 and a 2x extender so it will need to be sturdy. Trique Daddi

Mar 20, 2007, 8:07 PM	#9
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,456	Thanks. If you find you need a monopod with the 70-200 and 2x telelcon then there are loads of choice as there is not a huge amount of weight. I only have a very basic Velbon which is good enough for what I do and even though it is cheap it is very rigid. Personally I never found I needed to use it with the 70-200 witheither the 1.4 or 2x telecons as the combination was light enough to manage OK. It is only that the 120-300 is a lot heavier so the support is really beneficial.

Mar 21, 2007, 5:58 PM	#10
lesmore49 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Canada Posts: 3,076	That looks like it could be a rough sport. Mouth guards and shin guards are ok, but I would feel safer suited up like an ice hockey player.