Messages

46

Lenses / Re: All Around lenses

« on: December 20, 2011, 09:36:05 AM »

I'm going to revise my earlier recommendation. 

Since you are brand new to photography, 14 years old and learning, you need to bring gear you can use effortlessly, very fast, and without thinking about it. 

You don't want to be 'that guy' who has a duffle bag full of gear and is always fumbling with lenses and tripods, and holding everyone up.

You want to be able to capture a memory as quickly as possible - and get back into the action with your friends and family.

You don't have enough time between now and April to get comfortable with 3 lenses. 

Pick one lens, and get to know it.  You have a lot of trips ahead of you. 

I'll often take a trip and bring one prime lens (e.g. 50mm).  It forces you to think about composure rather than taking lenses on and off.

Read this:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/06/09/why-shooting-with-just-a-35mm-lens-can-help-your-photography/

I'd say bring one lens and learn it:

Either:  17-40mm f/4 if you want a zoom
Or... if you want to become a better photographer, bring only a 24mm 2.8 prime and learn composure (thats equivalent to a 38mm perspective)

47

Lenses / Re: All round lenses

« on: December 19, 2011, 09:27:59 AM »

I agree with the posts above - a tripod is critical, and use it for every landscape shot.  Below is what I brought on a trip to Patagonia and had a lot of success.   

Tripod:
Personally, I don't like to carry a massive tripod around on trips, so after trying dozens of combinations, the strongest smallest compromise I found is a combination of Manfrotto 209 legs ($25 on B&H) and a Giottos MH-1304 Pro II ball head ($20 on B&H).  It's small enough to fit in your pocket, is 100% metal and strong enough to hold an EOS body with a 70-200 f/4 IS lens as long as you don't have gusting wind.  Since it's short, you still need to find a rock to stand it on, but that won't be an issue in Iceland.  If there is gusting wind, throw a coat over your camera or prop your camera bag under the lens.

You're going to need a good landscape lens. 
I brought the 17-40 f/4L.  It is fantastically sharp, has terrific saturation and contrast and it's light... but it's slow... you're going to need that tripod.

You're going to need a good portrait lens...
for people, or close up shots of boats, or details of the colorful houses.  The 50mm 1.4/1.8 will work great... if there is room in your your budget, I actually used the 85mm 1.8 a bit more - you can stand back further and get great portraits of people without being in their face, but that's personal preference, but I wouldn't ever go on a trip without my 50 1.4. 

You're going to need a Puffin lens...
I've heard they don't move very fast and you can get close... the 70-200mm f/4 IS is still nice and light, has unbelievable image quality.   But that bird shot will nearly double your budget. 

You should still bring a point and shoot.  I love my S90/S95s.

And the entire kit, including the tripod, fits easily in a Domke F-803 or F-831 Satchel... and those lenses will produce photos that look better than what you see with your eye - you'll be very happy.