please can someone take some pics

Yeah I hope someone takes some photos tomorrow

great photos. Heading up in a couple of weeks and was hoping to get some photos. We currently have a 70-200mm but its just not big enough. Which lenses do people use?

Any recommendations on an afordable zoom lens which is suitable for WS photos would be appreriated.

I usually use a 500mm f4 Canon with a 1.4x extender and polariser. It's a pricey setup but it will get you close to the action. To get really good shots in Gnaraloo make sure you shot from the right position. Most people take the lazy approach and sit either in the car park or right in front. It usually shows in the shots in my opinion. Either go further North or South and shot in a roughly 45 degree angle to the break... or better even get an underwater housing and get right into the midst of it.

Also, the main problem with high range tele lenses up there is that quite often when the wind picks up you get a lot of ocean mist which results in a slightly foggy layer in the shot. Best time to shoot is either early on in the session when the Seabreeze starts kicking in or right towards the end just before sunset.

Lastly, a polarizer is an absolute must up there and make sure you protect your gear from dust. All my gear usually needs extensive professional cleaning after a trip.

As for cheap options... the sad fact with lenses is that more expensive really means better. That said Sigma makes a 500 mm lens which is ok and is a bit more affordable. Not stellar but ok...

Here some Gnaraloo samples with description of lens used:

Canon 500 F4 + 1.4x extender + circular polariser :



Canon 500 F4 + circular polariser :



Canon 500 F4 + circular polariser :



Canon 500 F4 + 1.4x extender + circular polariser :


Canon 500 F4 + 1.4x extender + circular polariser :
you can see the haze in this shot




Canon 500 F4 + 1.4x extender + circular polariser :
better angle... better light... clear air






Canon 24 F4 + circular polariser :
you can only get this sort of shot with a polariser around mid day

guys - thanks for the input.

I've done a fair bit or research and think that we are going for the Sigma 150-500mm lens and a polariser.

Good point re the 45 degree angle to the break. Will post pix after our trip!

cheers Hooksey

Plenty of justice right there Nebs

Classic!!! thats my board before i bought it from Windshack.
Pascal left it there for Alberto but i was lucky to get it.Sic board

great pics,you lucky bastard enjoy

GREAT PHOTOS and f#@%ing big waves!

gramps your the man!! thanks for sitting there for hours with the camera even with your injury
Are you still sore??
Just after you left the wind fully kicked in i was sailing on a 4.7 again

School is back and now its my turn to come up and play

Hey Gazz why did you decide to step off of your board at this point?

Ha Ha I think a jealous "Gaylord" from the darkside(gaylordside) has red thumbed us all.

should make it a caption competition

Respect,, GAZ,, Saw the catch up mow down on da head,200m swim.Edge of the seat stuff watching you take the set on with a big ((FAAARRRRRRRRKK me luckey farker))

hey frans

nice set of pics! I wish I'd have the time to make it up there this year...

My recommendation would be to use Flickr instead of Seabreeze to host the photos. You can signup for a free account at Flickr.com. The Seabreeze photo upload engine applies way to much compression for my taste and has a tendency to make good colour gradients look disappointingly bad. I'd also dial back the contrast / black point saturation a bit... or alternatively boost the shadows.