Kite Surfing

I haven't had much to shoot lately, no games that I'm involved in so I'm sitting at home reading Harry Potter thinking "I need to go somewhere and shoot some action". So my daughter and I took a drive to a local beach (Seal Beach) to see if the Kite Surfers were out. We drove out there and they were out in force. Got there around 4pm, got my gear together and took one 4gig card as I walked to the beach. An hour later the card was ful with 540 RAW photo's.

Went through them and wanted to share a few of my favorites with my fellow mpixer's. So take a look and tell me what you think.

These were all shot with the Canon MK IIn and 300 f/2.8L IS lens, which was hand held. I shot them at f/2.8 (aperture priority) to stop action.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f4...7-25-07142.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f4...7-25-07210.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f4...7-25-07217.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f4...7-25-07291.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f4...7-25-07326.jpg

Thanks for looking, all coments are welcomed.

Jim

Excellent photos. Very nice colors & captures.

looks like that 300 is serving you well! the bokeh is incredible, i just wish more faces were visible, but it looks like it doesn't happen all that much. good shots!

That wonderful lens again! Wow, it's definately getting along quite well with you Homer.

Do you have a pic showing the whole thing including the kite? I've never seen this b4.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by livin4lax09

looks like that 300 is serving you well! the bokeh is incredible, i just wish more faces were visible, but it looks like it doesn't happen all that much. good shots!

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Yeah, I am really loving this lens. I have yet used my 1.4x on it. The focus is fast and pictures are coming out very sharp. It's a great addition to the gang.

I was very pleased with the pictures I got, that is except for the fact I didn't get that many faces in the shots. They would come towards me resulting in some nice face shots but no action. Once close to shore they would turn away and hit the crest of the wave. Oh well, ya deal with what you get.

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JETA

That wonderful lens again! Wow, it's definately getting along quite well with you Homer.

Do you have a pic showing the whole thing including the kite? I've never seen this b4.

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Thanks JETA, but I'm sorry to say that I don't have any shots including the kite. I'll have to take a few next time I'm out there.

Jim

Great Photos Jim!!

I am starting to shoot some kitesurfers in action but havent got the appropiate lens and I am a bit confuse about all the features lens should have. Do you mind giving me some info about good lens at best price?

Cheers!!

Thanks Flashback, man you really pulled this one out of the achives.

The 300 f/2.8 is pretty pricy and took me a very long time to save up before I could get one, but it has turned out to be my favorite lens and rarely comes off my camera. With that said, in my personal opinoin the second best lens, which is much more affordable, is the 70-200 f/2.8. The key here is having the ability to shoot wide open at f/2.8 throughout the focal range, which will help you when shooting indoor sports, such as basketball / volleyball. It a great all-around lens with decent range and to get further just add the 1.4 or 2x tele-converter.

Another option to consider is the 300 f/4, but depending on what you will end up shooting, this could limit you in the long run.

Jim

Long focal length, 300mm on a 1.6x crop factor body, or longer.
Small aperture (f/4 if possible) for shallow depth of focus.
How big is your budget?
I've paid around £800 for Sigma 80-400 zoom
or £100 for Canon 100-400 zoom
or £3000 for 300mm prime lens

hahaha I didnt realise the post was that long ago.

Thanks for the information!! I did check prices for the lens you both recommend :-( but ... a bit out of my budget for now, I just got £300 and I am interested to shoot mainly water sports, I know its not much money but... hoping to find something "decent" within my budge. Even to be able to shoot sharp images for not far that 2 metres??

Cheers!