High Level Sailing Photos: I was recently approached to shoot sailing photos at a high level of competition. Am looking for advice on what lens to acquire/rent to shoot from the...

Mjump54

I was recently approached to shoot sailing photos at a high level of competition.
Am looking for advice on what lens to acquire/rent to shoot from the Committee boat?
I currently shoot with a Canon 5D IV and 5D III.
Have Canon 70-200 2.8 and 100-400 4.5 telephotos and 1.4 and 2.0 extenders. Have several L shorter wide angle lenses.
Do I need a longer Prime lens?
Any advice appreciated as I evaluate the opportunity.

Wasabi

Get a good handle on where the committee boat will locate in relation to the racers, the turns ,and the finish. Then you can figure what lenses you will need to catch the action. Limited knowledge and experience but two bodies with appropriate lens would appeal to me.

Wasabi

ELNikkor

Do not look for a longer prime, what you have is enough.

ELNikkor

If anything, a second body would be better, so you're not changing lenses around on a rocking boat with wind and spray.

Quixdraw Loc: x

ELNikkor wrote:

If anything, a second body would be better, so you're not changing lenses around on a rocking boat with wind and spray.

Agree!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your 100-400L is the best choice. The 2x is worthless on this lens. Bring the 5DIV with the 100-400L. Only if you were really really far from the action consider adding the 1.4x (that you also brought), but you should be fine at 400mm and the high resolution of the EOS 5DIV if you find you need to crop into the details for a more compelling image.

Your focus, exposure and panning / tracking skills will be more important to overall success than which of these top-tier bodies and lens combos used.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I would take my 70-200 with the 2x.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

My 2x on the 70-200 is a little soft, the 1.4x is sharp. if the 2x is sharp on yours I would take the 70-200 and the 2x. Dont buy another lens for this, but if you think you will be using 2 lenses invest that money in a second camera if you don't already have one.

Mjump54

CHG_CANON wrote:

Your 100-400L is the best choice. The 2x is worthl... (show quote)

I also have a Canon 80D that I would consider using due to the crop factor.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

jim quist wrote:

My 2x on the 70-200 is a little soft, the 1.4x is sharp. if the 2x is sharp on yours I would take the 70-200 and the 2x. Dont buy another lens for this, but if you think you will be using 2 lenses invest that money in a second camera if you don't already have one.

Why would you choose the 70-200L + a 2x extender when the OP has the 100-400L?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Mjump54 wrote:

I was recently approached to shoot sailing photos at a high level of competition.
Am looking for advice on what lens to acquire/rent to shoot from the Committee boat?
I currently shoot with a Canon 5D IV and 5D III.
Have Canon 70-200 2.8 and 100-400 4.5 telephotos and 1.4 and 2.0 extenders. Have several L shorter wide angle lenses.
Do I need a longer Prime lens?
Any advice appreciated as I evaluate the opportunity.

This appears to be your first time doing this. You should only need your 100-400mm. But, since I am not there, I am not really sure. You want to concentrate on the folks on the sailing boats. If they pass by the committee boat that may be your best time. Also when the boats round the marker bouy's.
Again, I would make sure the folks that approached you know that this is your first time and no promises as you will be learning on the fly.
Second time around it is always better. Maybe tell them the first time is practice, sailors should completely understand cause they all had to race for a first time also.

Walkabout08

As an avid sailor and race officer for national one design competitions my advice is you really need to be on a chase boat to get the kinds of shots you’ll find in the yachting magazines. Preferably with a driver so you can shoot and have the driver position you to take the shots people will love. The classics shots will be at the windward mark approach with crew setting up for the spinnaker set, at the leeward mark where the spinnaker takedowns create a lot of excitement and be on the lookout for the close starboard/port tack crosssings. The 100/400 lens should be your choice on the water. Good luck!

Alan361

Mjump54 wrote:

I was recently approached to shoot sailing photos at a high level of competition.
Am looking for advice on what lens to acquire/rent to shoot from the Committee boat?
I currently shoot with a Canon 5D IV and 5D III.
Have Canon 70-200 2.8 and 100-400 4.5 telephotos and 1.4 and 2.0 extenders. Have several L shorter wide angle lenses.
Do I need a longer Prime lens?
Any advice appreciated as I evaluate the opportunity.

Consider using a polarizing filter. It eliminates the problem with distracting reflects often seen where there is water and waves.

JohnD3 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Walkabout08 wrote:

As an avid sailor and race officer for national on... (show quote)

As a former racing sailor and regatta organizer I was preparing to make basically the same comments as those above by Walkabout08. If you are limited to the committee boat you will miss most all of the action as you will only be in place for the starts and finishes while the major action will be occurring at the mark rounding's. Especially try to catch action, I have far too many photos of me idling between races, setting on my boat eating a sandwich between races, and shots from such a great distance that the only way you can tell it is me is by my sail number; get in tight and get the action.

Capn_Dave

JohnD3 wrote:

As a former racing sailor and regatta organizer I ... (show quote)

Same here good information from a fellow sailor