It’s official. I have lenvy.
I rented an amazing lens for the weekend, the Canon 100-400 L Series f/4.5-5.6 USM. Well, actually Aidan’s boyfriend’s dad rented it and we shared that lens along with a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L Series USM. I’ve been wanting to try out a more powerful zoom for shooting Cole’s ultimate games and I believe I have found the one for me.
Part of my frustration with my current lens is that I have to shoot a ton just to get one shot that I love. Not the case with the 100-400.
Aside from the fact that this young man is super photogenic, it’s just cool to be able to be this close to the action.
And that close.
I remember this kid when he was a first grader. Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t nail every shot. Far from it. But I had a much better opportunity to truly document the game.
The other thing that surprised me was the big zoom isn’t too heavy to handle. The 70-200, on the other hand, is. I would not be able to wield that beast.
Did I mention that’s my boy?
My favorite shot of the tournament, while not the most technically proficient, is this one:
This is what’s known in ultimate as a Layout D. Cole is defending the dude in white, and did a full, diving move to disrupt the play. And disrupt it he did.
The other cool thing was that both Aidan and Cole took the lens out for a spin. Aidan shot half of the images featured in this post and Cole shot during the boys championship game.
Here are two of his shots featuring the winning point. (Note: Cole shot these with the 70-200. He clearly has more wrist strength than I do.)
And speaking of the tournament, our girls won state, our boys took third, our JV boys took third and our JV girls took fourth. The crazy part about all of this is that our school is a very small urban Montessori program. There are on average about 40 -50 kids per grade from grades 7 through 12. We compete with huge high schools from across the state in this sport. There is a fine tradition of ultimate and I cannot tell you how much I love that I get to watch these kids play.
I love being an ultimate mom. I’m so glad that Aidan decided to get involved back when she did, which influenced Cole to get on board. Now, I get three more years of ultimate to watch. How lucky is that?
And as a side note: maybe I’m a little chubby here and there and maybe I’m a bit middle aged, but you put that lens in my hand? I felt like a mother effin’ bad ass all weekend long.
Plus, it takes decent candids, too. If you stand back far enough.
Time to start saving a little extra here and there. Summer league starts soon. Of course, renting a lens that pricey for $30? I think I can handle that for a few more tourneys.
Trish Turay says
Could I ask, from where did you rent the lens? Considering it and wanted your input. Thanks!!
Cathy Zielske says
I believe he rented the lens from West Photo in Minneapolis. But there are other places online that will deliver rentals directly to you.
AshleyM says
Trish,
I have rented many times from Lens Giant and have always had a great experience.
Ashley
Audrey V says
Before you invest in the Canon 100-400 L Series f/4.5-5.6 USM, try the Canon 70-200 f/4 L lens. It is not heavy like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L Series USM, and much more affordable.
I love it, I think it is actually very versatile, I use it for many different shots, but I love it most for outdoor sports.
Cathy Zielske says
Audrey, I will do that! There was a tournament photog there and that’s the lens he was shooting with. He added a 1X converter to it to make it a 70-250. He let me hold it and it was much more manageable!
Yolanda says
You might find the larger lenses easier to handle with a monopod. Takes the weight off, keeps the camera body still for sharper images, and nowhere near as cumbersome as a tripod.
Hallie says
Cathy,
Your blog ALWAYS makes my day! Love your humor!
heidig says
Nice shots!
RobinD says
Great lenses are life changing!! Try the 70-200 2.8 for Cole’s next theater performance!
Cathy Zielske says
Oh man! Yes. I bet that would be great!
Trish Turay says
thanks so much!!
Kim Woods says
And now I have Lenvy!!!!!!
Michelle t says
Awesome photos. Looks like an awesome sport, too. Will look to see if there are any around me. Love your sports photos. Michelle t
Laura BC says
I’ve also rented from National Camera. Of course,
I fell in love (the 70-200 f2.8) and had to get the lens for gymnastics. I’ll have to try the monopod trick – it does get heavy!
Melanie A. says
What camera are you using? I have an old Sony Alpha that while it isn’t bad, I seem to always be struggling with focus. It either won’t focus or acts like it is focused but when I look at the pictures, half aren’t. I’d like to be thinking about my next camera and would like some input.
Tami says
Canon L glass is the best hands down. That said, in an effort to go lighter I downsized to canons lightest dslr, the sl1, and used the 55-250 designed for it this weekend at a softball game…it is awesome. It’ll never be that creamy bokeh L, but I was impressed. And so LIGHT.
dawn says
I have loved his lens too! I have the 100-400 and am selling it if you are interested Cathy:) or anyone else! info@dawnsela.com
I just don’t need it any longer because I have the 70-200 and a 300 prime.
Beth says
I’m a Nikon girl and L.O.V.E. my 80-200. I use it for sports on my DX format camera which effectively turns it into a 120-300. It’s Awesome! Did I mention I love that lens?!
Shawn says
Lenvy is why I don’t rent lenses, lol, but I may have to after this post.
btw If you go the 70-200 route, I use the Canon 70-200 f/4L lens for portraits (and other stuff) and it’s fantastic! I may look into a converter, though, after reading the post.
This is the latest version of my lens: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/183198-USA/Canon_2578A002_EF_70_200mm_f_4L_USM.html
Amanda M. says
Hi, this is totally unrelated to this post, but I am not sure where else to ask it – I have been out of the scrapbooking world for about a year and am now diving back in (new baby!). I wanted to order 8.5 by 11 Bazzill Orange Peel white cardstock..I only see that in 12 by 12 on scrapbook.com and it says Out of Stock. Amazon doesn’t have it either….is Bazzill still around? What’s a good alternative?
Cathy Zielske says
Hey Amanda,
I don’t know of an alternative. I ordered a bunch last year, but I have heard it’s getting impossible to find! Sorry to not have more solutions.
Jeanne says
Wow. You can really see the difference. Nice shots.
judy says
Borrowlenses.com is a great place to rent from, but they also sell used gear, and I know I’ve seen that lens for sale…
Marilyn says
Other comments here are obviously written by experienced photographers, which I am not. I am, however, a great appreciator of good photography. So THANKS for sharing these memorable shots. They are good enough to be published somewhere. Sports Illustrated?
Tara says
There’s nothing better than the high of a new toy that ends up being amazing. These shots are great.