The case for fast glass

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Ian said:
As much as I now appreciate the advantages of the faster glass, the fact of the matter is I am simply not going to travel with it.
Not withstanding the huge difference in price which would make transporting it nerve wracking, especially travel by air; the over all size and weight is going to make it impractical. I’m not now, nor ever will be doing this for a living so I will have to limit my expectations. What I have learnt is that there really is no substitute for getting in close, that of course is not always possible or desirable but in many cases with a bit more effort and field craft it is. So I shall have to learn to be a better photographer.
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It takes some soul searching in regards to acquiring gear. I've contemplated the 'F4' series and like you I just can't justify it. I've had equipment stolen from me twice (once in Canada and once in Spain), insurance claims were a big hassle and eventually 'upgraded' via re-imbursement and savings. It's about 6:45AM as I write this. I'm getting ready to go out into the fog and capture some nice images with what I have.

What I will do is get that PF lens but I will have to earn it. That means going out enough to justify it's use and not have interfere with my family finances. This year will tell :cool:
 
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DRwyoming said:
Personally I'd say the biggest reason to use fast glass in wildlife photography or portraiture is for the DoF control it gives you. After that comes light gathering and then the ability to take TCs well. But to me the top reason to run fast long lenses is subject isolation and background control.
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Dave nailed it!
 
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Logistics are important.
One of the things that decided me on a Sony 400/2.8 rather than the 600/4 was that it's carry-on (with body and TCs, in the right F-Stop ICU and pack). Size restrictions are enforced in my country.
Another was length, about 4" less, which makes a big difference as a mobile handholding shooter.
All up the rig is 4.3 kg/9.5lb. That keeps me working out at the gym which has other benefits.
And benefits? There's the technical ones but the images give me a thrill and not much else does.
 
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