What is the best lens to rent for surf photography?

Older and slower, just like me.

Are you having an issue with burst speed? That is really the only issue, unless you are dying to shoot 1080 video or are trying to sell your shots. Then you might need a high end dSLR. Otherwise, the camera will not be the limiting factor.

I would get something better with a longer reach unless you know the break is close in and you are going to shoot from the beach.

My first choice would be this bad boy, especially if I could get a 1.4x with it:

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/nikon_super_te...

My next choice would be this one:

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/nikon_super_te...

I think the Sigma is going to give you less optical quality that the Nikon, and I know it is not going to be as fast a lens, since it is f/6.3 at the long end, but it will give you a lot of versatility without having to change lenses.

Matt seems to know his stuff. The thing is that you need a long lens - well over 300mm at the long end, and that will be heavy and bulky. Possibly you could think of a catadioptric lens ('mirror lens'), much lighter and less bulky, but with only one aperture available, usually around f5.6 or f8, i.e. no facility to stop down. Probably a tripod will help you get steady shots with a long lens. Maybe enquire if such lenses are available for hire at the surf resort, there must be many people like you seeking to get good surfing pics, and local hire would save carrying a heavy lens to that place.

Make sure that the lens is well documented - take the hire company's receipt with you, but keep a photocopy at home in a safe place. Good documentation might be handy if there is any question of 'importing a valuable object for sale' by the customs authorities in Costa Rica, or indeed when re-entering your home country.

I consider fhotoace's techniques. in keeping with danger i could desire to upload the advice of a the 300mm f4 as an center of the variety determination, the Sigma a hundred and fifty-500mm is likewise an determination in case you needed flexibility. I ought to additionally upload that shooting with the two hundred-4 hundred, a hundred and fifty-500 Sigma, 600mm f4 must be shot with help (probable a heavy accountability monopod), the 600mm may well be much less complicated to apply with a Manfrotto 393 on suitable of despite assist you're utilising. The 300mm f4 and 70-300mm lenses may well be shot hand held, inspite of the undeniable fact that having a help could allow you to do some greater resourceful pictures.

Best Lens For Surf Photography