Cheers Brian. I think a ride across to Lincoln is called for this weekend after all.

Take your camera over with you as thay may be willing to let you fit a lens and have a look outside the shop to see what you think

Just looking at their web site they have nothing above 300mm unless it is an arm and a leg.  As mine already is 250mm I see little point in going for a 300.  They do have some tele converters which I could ask them about. 

 

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Kenko-Teleplus-1.4x-converter-PRO-300-DG-*BOXED*_117869.html

 

I was hoping to be able to go up to a 400mm lens and I suppose I could push the boat out and go for a 500mm.  Fleabay have nothing either and buying from there is just so much risk with this sort of thing.

We do have a camera shop in Louth that sells secondhand stuff so I can enquire in there and even if they don't have anything at the moment they may keep an eye out for me.

What's your maximum budget,Chris, if you don't mind me asking?

What's your maximum budget,Chris, if you don't mind me asking?

To be honest Brian I'm not sure.  I was hoping for about a 100 quid at the most which I see now isn't very realistic so I will go higher maybe up to 200 -250 but the camera and lens's never cost that much in the first place and I don't want to spend money put good tackle on something that isn't up to it in the first place.

Just doing a bit more research it would seem that you cannot fit a teleconverter to the EF-S lens system so that is one option gone.

So it's really whether or not you save up to upgrade your body, then save a bit for a either a compatible converter or a worthwhile zoom lens

Decisions, decisions

Unfortunately photography is not a cheap hobby, as we've all found out :(

Unfortunately photography is not a cheap hobby, as we've all found out :(

Neither are cars or motor bikes Brian hence why I am 'trying' to keep my budget realistic.

 

Once again thanks everyone that has taken the time to help.  Time for me to go hunting now and decide what if anything is possible.  I will report back on what I come up with even if it is nothing!

You can get a Sigma 70-300 for about £100-150

Going back a few years, before a switch to the dark side, I used to have a 450D that I shot an air display with using my old 70-210 USM lens, it wan't really long enough. I then borrowed a friend's 100-400 to go to Duxford with and had much more success. The low frame rate will be a stumbling block with the 450D, but I feel you'd be better off saving your pennies for a 100-400. The 70-300 IS might be a good lens, but I'd avoid the 75-300 III as I used to have one and it was pretty dreadful at the long end where you want it. As Brimma says, it's not a cheap hobby!

You can get a Sigma 70-300 for about £100-150

Yes but it is only 50mm more lens and isn't really worth it.  I realise it isn't cheap but will try and source a second hand 400 OR just put up with what I have and try and improve my technique.  I think one of the biggest problems has been too much movement of the camera on the shot so that is something I will have to try and sort out. 

 

I still have not got to the bottom of if I should use the IS setting or not.  I know when I have been to model railway shows and used a tripod I have to turn the IS off as it just makes everything fuzzy and perhaps it is the same with trying to take pictures of a fast moving object when you are panning.  Problem is some web sites say use it and some say turn it off.

I have a Sigma 120 - 400. Really pleased with it. You can pick them up second hand for about £300.

 

 

Well if I could find one I would but alas nothing obvious has popped up at the moment.

Well if I could find one I would but alas nothing obvious has popped up at the moment.

A quick search on Ebay (link) finds quite a few

Edited 29 April, 201511 yr by kilted

Must have missed the top one when I looked for some reason.  Most of them were nearer 400 quid of far much more.  It looks good value but it is a massive risk buying something you cannot see or try when it is as delicate as a lens.  OK I know you have 'some' recourse if it is not as described but is it a gamble worth taking?  Decisions decisions.

I'm no professional either, having a Sony a200 and a Cannon 600D and a few lenses to go with each, how ever the Sony has got a 300 prime lens which is vastly superior to all the others I have, but is specific for a job

Just thought I would pop back in here and say what I decided in the end.  Bottled it completely and bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 Bridge camera.  Figured if I bought a lens it would be too much money for my use and if I bought an updated DSLR be it new or used I would still need the longer lens and again that would be more money than I really need to spend for what I will use it for.

 

So thanks to everyone that offered opinions and sorry if any think I have gone to the dark side with a Bridge camera but for me it seemed the best option and I still have my DSLR should I decide to use it.  All I have to do now is wait for the rain to stop (sometime next week according to the BBC) and get out and use it.  I did have a practice in the garden and the dog thinks it is ace.

 

Just thought I would pop back in here and say what I decided in the end.  Bottled it completely and bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 Bridge camera.  Figured if I bought a lens it would be too much money for my use and if I bought an updated DSLR be it new or used I would still need the longer lens and again that would be more money than I really need to spend for what I will use it for.

 

So thanks to everyone that offered opinions and sorry if any think I have gone to the dark side with a Bridge camera but for me it seemed the best option and I still have my DSLR should I decide to use it.  All I have to do now is wait for the rain to stop (sometime next week according to the BBC) and get out and use it.  I did have a practice in the garden and the dog thinks it is ace.

 

New camea test 006a.jpg

Nowt wrong with that as a decision - the best camera is the one you have with you!