Having had a break from taking snaps for a few years, i bought an Olympus E500 plus 17~45 and 40~150 package last year.

I am very happy with this package, but have started looking round for a longer lens of around 90~300. There appears to be very little choice of lens'es in this focal range for the 4 thirds mount. £300~£400 would be ok, but £3k is a step too far:o

I have only started looking for a lens of this type as i have started to dabble in sports photography, but with the shorter lens i am a bit limited on the composition front.

Could anyone suggest any suitable lens'es?



I went to a club bike race meeting at Darley Moor on bank holiday monday.

Took a few snaps.


Any thoughts.....


http://www.sidtech.co.uk/iu/greg24860614495.jpg


http://www.sidtech.co.uk/iu/greg334338414252.jpg


http://www.sidtech.co.uk/iu/greg743051995954.jpg


http://www.sidtech.co.uk/iu/greg94185511762.jpg


http://www.sidtech.co.uk/iu/greg13794483864.jpg


Greg

These are good tight shots (assuming you've not cropped them to death) but they're not sharp.

Use a monopod or get some image stabilised lenses (Canin IS, Nikon VR). On the other hand, just practise. Some of the shots that pros get, hand-held at impossible distances, are just amazing. Practise, practise... :D

Richard.

PS Just noticed you're Olympus... :(

Richard.

No, they are not cropped. I did miss time a few missing half the front wheel etc:o
I varied the shutter speed. Most of these were in the 1/125 ~ 1/160 range.

As far as lens choice goes, there seems to be little choice:(

Monopod it is then (cheap too) :) Practise on local traffic. Get a mate to help. Speed and distance can make a big difference - fast and close is very hard. A smooth, steady action and follow-through are key. But don't expect 100% keepers - it's a difficult technique to master. Think of it like clay pigeon shooting :D

The difficult part is in the middle of the swing, just when you want to shoot. As you track the subject from distance, you wil be moving the camera very slowly, then as it comes close it will begin to rush pash and you'll likely be swinging the camera as quickly as you can. Obvioulsy, this is point where you need to be smooth, accurate and precise with your framing. Squeze off the shutter.

Dead easy to explain, not so easy in the field :eek:

There are a few masters of the art on here (not me!). Perhaps they'll post some pics and tips.

Good luck,

Richard.

PS Have a look here: Manfrotto Tripods, Monopods and Heads (Digital, Neotec, Magfibre Carbon Fibre, Family Birdwatching Kits, Heavy Duty Geared, Video) - warehouseexpress.com (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/binsandscopes/tripods/manfrotto.html#monohead) Make sure the monopod is tall enough if you're 6' 9" and I like their monopod head which only moves on one direction, the direction you need for framing action, while everything else is held firm. Some people prefer ball-&-socket heads. Again, ask th pros on here.

Has no one got any ideas for lens choice then?

You have limited options.

Olympus do a 55-200 at £ 600ish and one costing thousands.

Sigma do their 'Bigma' in 4/3rds fitment, on an Olympus x2 crop sensor, would be simiar to a 100-1000mm lens on a 35mm camera. This lens, certainly in Canon and Nikon circles is generally well regarded. Expensive £ 700ish and heavy (1.8kgs)

They also do two others, a 55-200 (like a 110-400) for about £100 which is likely to be pretty poor, and a 135-400 f4.5-5.6 (270-800) - £ 430ish.

Not much choice in the 4/3 fitment, but it is quite new.