planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I'm considering renting a "uni-lens" for my upcoming trip to Oshkosh (aviation convention) I've never rented a lens before and the shipping cost and insurance would add about 50% to the cost (which bothers me), but I'm thinking of a Sony 18-250 (crop) or the Tamron 28-300 (ff). I've never used a uni-lens either I currently have a crappy kit 18-55 (crop), a Tamron ff-compatible 70-300 and a Sigma ff-compatible 105 macro. I know I would probably be taking a hit on quality, but it might be worth it for the weight savings. The thing is, the lenses tend to get heavy and give me an aching neck (except the 18-55) and I'm going to be there for a week and doing A LOT of walking around with my camera. Experience? Advice? Please?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

While you're looking into a lens, also look into an OpTech camera sling. It will take that weight off your neck.

Marc-Wi Loc: Oshkosh Wi

I'm guessing you've never been here before. You can get real close to almost everything. The main a/c display gets crowded so hit it early. Or late. You'll need a long lens for the air show, At least a lot of it. I get by with a 15-55 and 55-200 quite well. I do admit I changed lenses a lot because I needed to be on the other side of 55 than I was. A 18- 105 or 135 would have helped. Now I have another body.
Have extra batteries and plenty of cards and water.
I can't tell you what to buy but I hope this helps some.

When you get old it get real hard to pan with the passes.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Actually, I've been there probably at least half a dozen times, being a formerly active private pilot and current member of AOPA and EAA. I've also gotten two winning e-published pics that were taken at Osh '11 (the last time I was there); eaa.org and AvWeb. i bought an extra battery for an airshow in May, but now I lost my original Sony battery and am left with one :( DARN IT!!...I'll shop for a couple more on Amazon or E-bay. Someone mentioned a sling. Maybe a fishing vest would do as well. I'm going to be there for the whole week (only 2nd time) at Camp Scholler and am going to be bringing a guy from Australia that I brought in '11(picking him up at O'Hare). He was alone then, but this time he's bringing his son. Besides batteries, I have 2 32 GB, an 8 and a 4 that are going with me as well as my laptop. I kind of wanted to keep lens packing to a minimum because I'll already have 3 people, a tent, grill, their luggage etc, etc already in a 2014 Ford Focus. My brother is also flying his plane up there for 2 or 3 days, but he doesn't know when yet. Much as I am beginning to like it, I'll leave the sigma at home. If I took an 18-250 or a 28-300 I could leave my other two lenses at home, but I'm unsure of the optical quality of an ~11-15x zoom.

Marc-Wi Loc: Oshkosh Wi

Well it looks like you already knew anything I could tell you. The lens is personal choice. It would be nice to test them out and see the quality beforhand. Enjoy your week.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Just saw something intriguing in the Op/Tech catalog I temporarily downloaded (pg, 7)- a bino/cam harness. I think that would be perfect to take the weight off my neck and distribute it onto my shoulders...only problem is, there are no prices! Anyone use something similar? Never mind about the price...just found it...not bad...I'd probably go elastic even though it's more expensive.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Ta the time to check out the Sigma 18-250.

Pappy

amehta Loc: Boston

The 10mm at the wide end is definitely more significant than the 50mm at the tele end. The 28mm on an APS-C camera is already in the "normal" range, skipping wide angle completely.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Rent a bigger car. :lol: :lol: :lol:

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Good point.

Marc-Wi Loc: Oshkosh Wi

The 10 vs 50 depends a lot on your shooting style, the shots you plan to take. But I know one wants to be prepared for anything at an event like that.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Google Cotton Carrier and Black Rapid camera straps. Both systems distribute the weight around your shoulders. I have both and they work well. There are other systems as well.

Catherine

Have you considered the Tamron 18-270? It isn't too heavy and you'll only need one lens for the whole trip.

Bob Boner

Get a belt pack from Think Tank or LowePro to get the weight off your neck. I have the Think Tank and several different sized lens cases that attach to it. Makes changing lenses quick and gets the weight on your hips instead of your neck.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I believe in less is more approach. Take one good zoom lens that is wide enough to capture the airplanes and can zoom in as needed. You will enjoy yourself more and not fret about changing lenses.