Combating slow telephotos

[mateoc15]

I have the Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6 very slow lens. I love the zoom, but in anything less than blinding sunlight it's almost useless. Can anyone offer suggestions? High ISO at long focal lengths sucks and slow shutter speeds just aren't possible without VR and with moving subjects. I realize it's a crappy lens... so buying a new one isn't really the answer I'm looking for.

Thanks!

[mateoc15]

Not sure I see the relevance to my question... and I think I saw this same story maybe on another forum somewhere...

???

[OsmosisStudios]

Kirbinster, I think you posted in the wrong thread. If not, I dont get it.

Sadly, mateoc15, I think your only option is a different lens. There's only so much you can do. Do you need 300mm? Or would you be okay with less?

[inkista]

For moving subject matter, crank up the iso. Get some noise reduction software. Expose properly. I've never really found that high iso with my f/5.6 supertelephoto sucks that much. But then, it's a $1k L lens.

For still subjects--get or DIY a monopod to be your VR/IS.


Canon XT/350D. EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. iso 400. f/5.6. 1/200s. Monopod.

Or you can use the string stabilization trick.

[RichardTaylor]

@mateoc15

+ 1 inkista

Image stabilisation will not help with moving subjects (except possibly when panning)
High ISO + noise reduction software and/or a mono pod is the way to go.

Another idea is to go with the "arty" look if that is possible.

Example @ 1/15 second, 600mm (35mm) equivalent lens on a mono pod.
This was not an VR (IS) lens.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

I've had two somewhat similar instances. About 2 years ago I came home from a morning of errands and some picture taking. An hour or so later it is the local police asking me if I drive a certain model car. I say yes and ask why the question. They say they were contacted by another police department and want to know if I was in that town today. I tell them I don't know, I was all over the county this morning. They ask again and I say I could have been and that I am not sure and demand to know what this is about. They then tell me that someone from some insurance agency called the police and reported me as a possile terrorist, I was laying down on the ground taking pictures. That jarred my memory and I told them yes, I was taking pictures of dandilions in the grass -- the officer and I both had a good laugh.

About a month ago my doorbell rings and there is a cop at the door. He gets very upset when my three siberian huskies jump all over him and get white fur on his blue uniform-- heck no one told him to walk to my door Anyhow he wants to know if I was driving on a road about a mile from my house earlier that morning. I tell him yes, why do you want to know. He said someone reported that I was driving slowly and stopped and took pictures. I asked him since when was that a crime. He told me people were concerned because something had happened in that area recently. He asked me to get the camera so he could see what I was taking pictures of. I told him I respected his job, but politely refused to do that. He wanted to know why, to which I told him it is the principal and as a photographer I am tired of being harrassed for no reason. He asked if I would tell him what I was taking pictures of. I told him it was the Cormorants (birds) on the dock in the lake. He told me he was familiar with them and said no problem sorry that he bothered me but they have to respond to all complaints. How F'ing stupid.

Kirb I think you were looking for my homeland security thread I started. At least that is what it sounds like.

[kirbinster]

Hey guys this appears to be a bbs glitch. I posted this a while ago, and it just did not show up. Now it shows up here - that is truly wierd.


As for the original question, Maybe there is something wrong with your copy of the lens. True it is not super fast to focus, but it really is not that bad - I have one and don't have that problem. One thing you might try is manually prefocus the lens so it is close to where it needs to be, that way it does not have to hunt as far to find focus. Some of the more expensive lenses have focus limiter switches to accomplish this.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by mateoc15

I have the Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6 very slow lens. I love the zoom, but in anything less than blinding sunlight it's almost useless. Can anyone offer suggestions? High ISO at long focal lengths sucks and slow shutter speeds just aren't possible without VR and with moving subjects. I realize it's a crappy lens... so buying a new one isn't really the answer I'm looking for.

Thanks!

I think you should be fine with that lens for many situations.... Are you trying to use it indoors or at night (sporting events etc)?

When you do run out of light, there's nothing to be done but bump the ISO...The D-90 starts to fall apart aove 800, but 1600 is still usable with some post work.
The other choice is a faster lens....which one would suit you depends on subject and budget.

[kirbinster]

Its not a crappy lens, in fact it is one of the best values in lenses (quality vs price). The lens is quite sharp and covers a huge range and gives you VR. What do you expect for the price? Sures its not f/2.8 and its not super fast to focus, but its image quality is excellent. You choice is to spend three or four times as much for a better lens, or live with what you've got.

[ravncat]

Kirbinster, maybe the op has the 70-300 g, which has no Vr and no Ed glass, I used to have one, it's not so sharp, not contrasty and is kindof a dog, but capable at F8-11, only in bright light or on a tripod really.

op

a tripod maybe of use, as for motion, you could try fill light, via flash or other source