Long Lenses for Surf Photography

Long lenses are essential for capturing surf action from the beach. They allow you to zoom in on the surfers and get close-up shots of their moves.

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Resources

• Long telephoto with the Sony a6000, a6300 or a6500 – I researched all the options for shooting long telephoto lenses with the Sony e-mount system (this was in November 2016), and wrote all about the options here
• Sony 70-200 f4 G OSS Vs Sony 55-210mm for surf photography – my video review and blog post about the Sony 70-200mm f4 G OSS
• Should you buy the Sony 100-400mm GM lens for surf photography? – I hired the Sony 100-400mm GM lens for a long weekend and produced this video and blog post with my thoughts
• Lens Review – Canon 70-200 F4 L – back when I shot with a Canon DSLR, I reviewed the Canon 70-200mm f4 L, my favourite lens for land shooting at the time
• Mike Searle’s Surf Photography Workshop – I attended a Surf photography workshop where I got the chance to use a Canon 600mm f4 lens, I wrote about my experiences here
• Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary for surf photography – I used the Sigma 150-600mm contemporary lens with the Sigma MC-11 adapter to shoot a surf competition, this is my video review and blog post all about the lens

There are a few different ways to compose a long-range shot, but I prefer a bit more pulled back to have a bit more of the scenery behind and set the scene a little bit more rather than those really tight crops.

Choosing the Right Lens

If you’re shooting a surf competition, you’ll need a long lens with a large reach, such as a 150-600mm or 600mm prime lens. This will allow you to get close-up shots of the surfers and see their stickers on their boards.

If you’re not shooting for a competition or sponsor, you can use a shorter lens, such as a 55-210mm or 70-200mm. This will give you more flexibility in terms of composition and allow you to capture more of the scenery.

Tips for Using Long Lenses

• Use a tripod: A tripod will help you stabilize your camera and capture sharper images, especially in low-light conditions.

• Be aware of your surroundings: Be careful not to bump into anyone or anything with your long lens.

• Experiment with different angles: Don’t just shoot from a single spot. Try shooting from different angles to get different perspectives.

• Be patient: It may take some time to get the perfect shot. Be patient and keep experimenting.

By following these tips, you can capture stunning surf photos using long lenses.

Lessons related to using long lenses for surf photography

Land Surf Photography Basics

1. 1. Land Surf Photography Introduction
   2. Basic Angles for Surf Photography From the Land
   3. Using Long Lenses for Surf Photography
   4. Tripods, Monopods and Hand Held Shooting