During most events that I shoot, I use both a 24-70mm lens and a 70-200mm lens on different cameras. I prefer to shoot with the 70-200mm lens as I can be a good distance away and still get a good shot. I have found while using the short lens, people tend to see you a lot more as you are a lot closer, and when most people see a photographer they will pose for the camera. In your face photography and some posed shots are OK some times but I like to get the genuine reactions and emotions. Most of the people I shoot with the long lens have no idea I took their picture which lends itself to a more natural photo.
The lens I use is a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 which has an internal focus motor and is optically stabilized. It has a large aperture which is better for lower light and is pretty quick to focus. This lens has been the most important and most used piece of additional equipment to my camera bag since I have purchased it. Very rarely do I not have it mounted on one of my cameras.
The lens is fairly heavy at just over 3lbs but most good lenses are surprisingly heavy anyway and if you have a good weight distributing camera sling such as the BlackRapid systems you won't even notice it. It is a fast lens and has a minimum focusing distance of just over 4.5 feet.
If you want to give the lens a try, there are companies such as Borrow Lenses and Lens Rentals that do rent lenses out for a period of time. There are quite a few companies out there that do rent lenses and other gear as well.
So if you want to be a sniper, go out and pick up a long lens and start sniping away. As I said above, I enjoy getting the genuine emotions in my shots and that lends itself to be a better photograph. That's what it is all about, capturing those genuine shots.
As always, thanks for reading,
E
Kappy's Keepers
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