10/2 Washington whites and camera help

[Snapp]

Went to the Washington on 10-2. Quick report is 3-6 on whites, 1 mahi and 1 mako release.

It was my first venture out taking pictures with my new camera. I have a Canon T1i. I only have the standard 18-55 lens. I think it takes great pics for boatside fish and anything close. For the jumping marlin they are lacking. So my question to all you guys who regularly shoot marlin what lens do you prefer? I am thinking 18-200???

Here are some of my pics.

Water Spout


Jumpin!


Airborne


Coming to the surface


Last run


Poser shot before the release

[Hroonk]

Nice pics! I had a Canon 30d and used the EF 70-200 f/4L lens for photos of ducks and geese on the wing and getting shot. When set up properly, I could capture a close up of the wad and shot hitting a bird at +/- 50 yards. I would think that would be good enought for what you want with a jumping marlin. Anything larger EF400 is just too big (and expensive) to have on a boat, IMO.

I got rid of my 30d and lenses b/c I got tired of having to switch lens in the field or on the boat and worry about ruining them with saltwater/mud. I now have a cheaper Canon SX1 IS with a 20x zoom. This is not an SLR, although you can upgrade it to take RAW format. The advatage for me is, the zoom is even more powerful than the 70-200 lens I had and it's almost as fast at the D series with no lens to buy/change out.

Hope this helps.

[Squidnation]

I can't see the pics. red x

[Snapp]

I can't see the pics. red x

They work. Depending on where your on the internet the site I linked from may be blocked.....

[Squidnation]

They work. Depending on where your on the internet the site I linked from may be blocked.....

they came up that time. I was told by a pro photographer that taking pics on jumpers outside the riggers is basically a waste of time. I have rarely gotten good ones when they are outside the riggers and usally have to work with them after the fact. That being said. the 18-200 would be my choice. I have stuck to the 18-135 on my nikon and seem to be ok with it.
Nice shots and congrats on your great day.

[Snapp]

Thanks Hroonk and Bill for your response. The information you provided is exactly what I was in search of.

[Bird Dog]

If you're looking for one of the 18-200 range lenses, check out the Tamron 18-270 VC. It's a good travel/walk around lens because of its versatility.

[RichardTerp]

I shoot a Nikon D60 and started out with the 18-55 and 55-200 VR-S lenses that came with the camera. Big PITA constantly switching lenses. I now have the 18-200 VR-S and love it. Works great for everything from portraits in the cockpit to action shots out to 50 yds or so. The VR is expensive but makes a huge difference. The one drawback it that it is HEAVY.

[Patudo]

Regarding the lenses... What's the lowest f-stop setting you guys have on your lenses? Will a lens in the f4 class be alright or are the f2.8 class lenses really essential? I was thinking that given that most times you are shooting in bright sunlight you don't need the lower f-stop, but you're also often using a high shutter speed so ...

Appreciate any thoughts/recommendations. Mine is a Canon, D30.

ps. Bill, please get in contact. I need to talk to you re CV.

[Hroonk]

I was fine with shooting ducks on the wing with an F4.