This is my mega 70-300 zoom
If you have children (or adults) in any kind of activity this lens will be your absolute best friend!
Many of my friends with great cameras are intimidated by the 70-300. Yes – it’s Big. Yes – it’s Heavy. But it’s so perfect for capturing those “close-up” moments when I can’t be up close.
Here are a few examples of some recent activities where a large zoom lens came in really handy. For you editing fanatics, I used Erin’s Defog and Coffeeshop Vivid 2 on these photos.
All of these photos are UNCROPPED to show you exactly how they came out of the camera.
We’ll start at 100mm and work our way up…
Yep, a boat is definitely on the top of the list of places that you can’t be right up on the action with your 50mm!
Here’s 2 shots that are really hard to get from the sidelines with a smaller lens. And let me tell ya, those referees are serious about those boundary lines!
These were taken at 180mm…
Now we’ll move up even higher…once you get above 200 you can really capture the
intensity and emotion in the action.
Here’s one at 210mm…
Here’s 240mm…be sure to notice the fabulous bokeh that you get when shooting at the higher focal lengths.
And here’s one at 300mm. I was clear across the field taking this shot but it looks like I’m running right beside her!
Here’s one final example to show you the difference a 70-300 can make in your photos:
So let me encourage you – Do Not Be Afraid! I guarantee if you use a 70-300 mm lens
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
You make everything look so easy. love the article and the all the links. Your blog is amazing too!
Thanks so much for this! My son is thinking about T-ball this fall and I can’t wait to use my zoom lens!
.-= Amy´s last blog .."Grace" =-.
This is the lens I use most of the time. It is also the lens I prefer for sunsets and other landscape photos. Using the manual focus will help also.
Manual focus. Egads. I’ve never gotten the hang of that! Thank you for the advice, Terry!
Erin
I need this lens!!! I love to shoot people from far away when they don’t know I am shooting them!
makes for better candid shots.
Plus my brother Team Ropes and I obviously can’t be in the arena with him!!!
.-= Sonya´s last blog ..LolliPop Lollipop =-.
I agree…you can get incredible candids when people don’t know you’re shooting! And the natural bokeh is just stunning when shot at the higher focal lengths…no extra knowledge needed!
Ooo, love that lens! Mine is 70-200, but really 200 is not enough for the shots I love to take. When my daughter played volleyball, I would sit on the floor next to the net pole just to get better shots — not a safe place for an expensive lens when volleyballs are involved! I’m still dreaming of a longer lens…someday…!
Thanks for the great shots and info!
.-= Lilbear´s last blog ..A B See Photo Meme: P for Purple =-.
How funny! I too live in Cincy and love my 70-300 for all our kids sports photos. Ditto, ditto, ditto!
.-= Reese´s last blog ..{five} =-.
I have a 70-300 that I LOVE. I use it mostly for animal shots at zoos and things, another time when you can’t always be as close to your subject as you would like (or want) ;p
.-= Astaryth´s last blog ..International Vulture Awareness Day =-.
I love my 70-300 lens too! Glad to hear I wasn’t just weird! I use them all the time for getting those “real” moments of my little toddler!
.-= Ally´s last blog ..Beautiful Weather! =-.
You’re pictures are awesome!! Loved your article. Makes it looks so easy for a beginner!!
I definately use this lens a lot as I have a cheerleader and volleyball player so it comes in so handy for trying to get those shots when you can’t be up close. Still in learning mode, I would love to learn all I can…(I hate reading manuals so I love tutorials online when I can get the chance). You do a wonderful job as it shows. Thanks for all the tips!!
These photos are amazing…especially the expressions the lens captures. I can see how it can come in handy especially with motion shots.
I really want to buy one of these!!! I have a ? though… I just found a SIGMA 70-300 for Canon Rebel for only $159 on ebay… why is it so cheap compared to ones on Amazon? I am fairly new to photography and am CLUELESS when it comes to photography, so if you could help me out on this so I can make this purchase I WOULD BE SOOOOO GREATFUL!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Just a Motivating Monday – Miracle =-.
I can’t vouch for anything on ebay but here’s a few things to check…possibly the one on ebay is used? Also, I did a quick search on amazon and found a sigma 70-300 for $192. Maybe the other lenses you saw were actual “canon” lenses? Those are much more expensive but I’ve read by pros that they’re worth the $$. Read the details carefully on the auctions and descriptions. Also, check seller feedback ratings. Hope this helps…let us know if you buy one!
.-= wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Check Me Out =-.
Thank you! I actually went and ordered a brand new Sigma 509101 Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS
Do you think that will be a good one? I can’t wait to play with it!! This post inspired me to go and order it!!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Just a Motivating Monday – Miracle =-.
I just called and had it changed it to the APO DG lens
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Just a Motivating Monday – Miracle =-.
Wow, I love the definition you can get. Even for a beginner like myself I can get some amazing shots.
I have the 75-300 tamron and its the ONLY one I use to shoot sports. I am a sports photographer for 2 local newspapers I am right next to the players and will only use this lens..LOVE LOVE my big lens.
How cool that a professional sports photographer uses a similar lens! I think you guys have convinced me that I need one!
Not to be negative about the lens but if you are going to sport such as highschool football, it is not so great. I have lots of friend who have it and they can’t take pic after half-time. The lens doesn’t open up far enough to let in enough light with just the stadium lights. Just my experience.
Obviously night photography is a whole other adventure!! Crank the ISO up as far as it can go and that should help too. It’s definitely a trade off…a smaller lens with a wider aperture just can’t get the close ups. Hopefully get as many good ones as you can before the sun goes down! Good luck!
.-= wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Pretty Little Girly Dainty Feet =-.
Awesome! After reading your article I went out and got some great shots at my son’s soccer game using my 70-300 lens. I’m not using anything else from now on. Thanks for the tips.
I’ve used one of Canon’s longer lenses that only drops to 5.6 aperature, and I have problems with night stuff too. The advice to crank the ISO is about the only good advice. You can’t really drop your shutter with sports or you’ll get a lot of motion blur.
The 70-200 2.8 is better glass for those who are getting into some serious sports photography.
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