Any thoughts on the Sigma 70 – 200 F2.8

Would have thought the 70-200 was the weapon of choice to be honest . but as some have stated the 28-135 they are useing seems to work for them . 2 points thou the 28-135 i would guess works well because of shooting with the 1.6X crop of the digi slr. on the other hand the 70-200 on a full frame digi slr would be the perfect lens .

70 200 lens

Hi

I also use the 28-135 and have tried the canon 70-200, but found it to be too large for small cockpits. In a Yak-52 the body would be outside on one side and the lens the other.

A couple done with the 28-135. This would be the lens I use the most.

I have just bought the latest version and image quality is excellent. There are some shots of mine taken with this lens elsewhere on this forum. Mind you it is heavy…. I have no experience of using it for air to air work though.

The 70-200 is indeed a superb lens. I’ll send you my CD of Legends pics if you want to see what it’s capable of. It was more than plenty for the tank bank. As you know I have a spare brand new one I want shot of. Especially now as I need cash for other things.

Not sure what the camera ship will be, it has been mentioned something from Pilatus or even an eggbeater of some sort, though I don’t think the eggbeater will be suitable. However the advice has been great and I may make do with the 28 – 135 on this occasion.

Judging by the weather reports from Switzerland today, it may now not take place. Fingers crossed though.

You’ll be surprised with the result. One thing, most of the shoots I do is out of aircraft with open doors or windows. If you have to shoot through canopies things are chanching a bit, as zooming in to 200 mm can be inpossible. BW Roger

There are severall reasons I do it this way. With a longer lens, I can get the background nearer, which I like as I mostly do the ata’s in Spain over the mountains. Secondly, I like to have some distance between the photoship and the “target”. Once I had my my 16 mm full with a T6 ( or better said, the first 4 meters of the machine) flying 3 meters under the Dornier, which was much to close. But even when the Connie arrived here, I shot most of the ata with the 70-200. Which was a problem as the photoship was a Fokker 50 with dirty windows. BW Roger

You’ll be the exception that proves the rule then 🙂

99% of my air to air work I do with the Canon 70-200 2.8. (not the IS version)The other 1% is with the 16-35. I once even shot with a 300 mm, as that was the only option for that day. As I was in a CASA 235 with the back doors open, even this was no problem. So, answereing your question, the 70-200 is my first choice for air to air work. BW Roger

As Nick has stated, a short zoom like the 28-135 is what most of our air to air photographs are captured with. Having spoken to a few well known specialists in this subject before now, they have said the same. IS is not crucial (and is not used by many pro’s anyway). The 70-200 (or simular range) is however sometimes used for more up close and personal shots.

Ian

the 28-135 is THE lens for air to air work mate.

For air to air shots you may find that it’s not wide enough for close formation work. You might also find that image stablisation comes in handy for air to air shots because of the vibration, otherwise you’ll have to resort to faster shutter speeds which don’t produce pleasing results with prop jobs.

I already have a 28 – 135 ISM, and Sigma 12 – 24. I had toyed with the fixed 100mm F2.0 from Canon. This seems to have had good reviews but not sure of it’s suitablilty for Air to Air. It also £100 cheaper than the Sigma, unfortunately my local Camera supplier doesn’t have one in stock.

Decisions Decisions Decisions !!!