Help with Long Lens + Backup Body choice for Iceland

[fegari]

Hi

This topic may have been beaten to death and I have tried to read whatever I could find for Iceland but haven't yet decided the way to go so hopefully you guys that have been there could advice. I'll be there this summer and being one of those one in a lifetime trips you want to ensure all bases are covered. My current equipment consist of:

5D III
Zeiss 2.8/21
Sigma 35 1.4 HSM Art
Zeiss 2/50 MP
Canon 85L II
Zeiss 2/100 MP
Canon 70-200 F4 IS (+ 1.4extender II)

I got therefore a nice focal range covered but the question I may need your advice with concerns the darn Puffins, the occasional bird in the Myvatn area and the long reach landscape shots. I think this will in turn also influence the choice for the backup body to get:

From what I read (or not???) a 200mm may be a bit short for Puffins or the birds at the Myvatn area and I'm not impressed by the 70-200 F4 IS coupled with the 1.4x extender I currently have. The options I can think of is to selling the 70-200 F4 IS and getting a 70-200 2.8 II (keeping the 1.4 extender) or to get a used Canon 100-400 instead.

Regarding the backup body I would consider the following options:
1) any used APS-C (7D that I know well or 60D or even a 650D etc): I can get them cheap used. APS-C has the added crop factor bonus so the option to take a 70-200 II with extender becomes very versatile for the birding. However in the eventuality the 5DIII fails then I'll have only an APS-C so my 21mm becomes effectivelly a 35mm which is not very nice for a place such as Iceland...

2) a cheap used 5D II: whatever happens with the 5DIII I still have the wide end properly covered with the 21mm but then I may need to get the 100-400 (?)

So, to end a long post what would you do:

-Used APS-C as backup body, selling 70-200 F4 IS and getting 70-200 2.8 II (I keep the 1.4 extender anyway)
-Used 5DII as backup body, selling the 70-200 F4 IS and getting the Canon 100-400

Nota: I plan to resell whatever backup body I get after returning.

Thanks for the help!

 

[GoodVendettaPhotography]

1st off: eff you, just a little bit for being able to go to Iceland.
2nd: CONGRATULATIONS for being able to go to Iceland!
3rd: you current setup will serve good enough, I believe. I would save your money and stay there as long as possible. Make sure you get a 4x4 and never stick to just the golden circle.

Make a waterfall itinerary.
Make an appropriate Icelandic mix (Sigur Ros, Bjork, Soley, etc)
Prepare yourself for near total isolation for a lot of your trip.
Pretend you are on another planet.
Embrace the isolation.
Find the plane crash, hidden in the NE section.
Go elf hunting.

Report back here with photos because we're all wanting to see them!

Have a good time!

 

[GoodVendettaPhotography]

PS: I would pick option 1.

 

[Dutchphotographer]

Hi,

I visited Iceland last year with my 7D and took only 17-55IS 2.8 and 70-200 f4 L IS.

I could get as close to puffins as 2 meters. Just go to an area that allows that, like the Guided tour at Ingolshofdi.
Instead of a large collection of primes, why not take a versatile zoom like the 24-105 instead?
I had 2.5 weeks of great weather, but if its rain and wind as is not uncommon, I wouldn't wanna be changing primes all the time when hiking. Just put he 70-200 f4 on the crop body and enjoy the holiday...

 

[fegari]

Hi,

I visited Iceland last year with my 7D and took only 17-55IS 2.8 and 70-200 f4 L IS.

I could get as close to puffins as 2 meters. Just go to an area that allows that, like the Guided tour at Ingolshofdi.
Instead of a large collection of primes, why not take versatile zoom like the 24-105 instead?
I had 2.5 weeks of great weather, but if its rain and wind as is not uncommon, I wouldn't wanna be changing primes all the time when hiking. Just put he 70-200 f4 on the crop body and enjoy the holiday...

Thansk for the advice, I take it you did not miss at all any more reach than 200mm (with crop body). But was you 17mm wide enough in crop for the icelandic landscapes? you see, I'm leaning towards option 1 in my original post but my big fear is loosing the wide angle capability in case the 5DIII fails and I have to rely on the APS-C only.

Btw, i'm not taking all the primes, probably the 21, 35 and 85 only. The 4th lens will be either the 70-200 F4 or the 70-200 2.8 II or the 100-400, base don your recommendations ;=)

 

[Dutchphotographer]

Hi,

I visited Iceland last year with my 7D and took only 17-55IS 2.8 and 70-200 f4 L IS.

I could get as close to puffins as 2 meters. Just go to an area that allows that, like the Guided tour at Ingolshofdi.
Instead of a large collection of primes, why not take versatile zoom like the 24-105 instead?
I had 2.5 weeks of great weather, but if its rain and wind as is not uncommon, I wouldn't wanna be changing primes all the time when hiking. Just put he 70-200 f4 on the crop body and enjoy the holiday...

Thansk for the advice, I take it you did not miss at all any more reach than 200mm (with crop body). But was you 17mm wide enough in crop for the icelandic landscapes? you see, I'm leaning towards option 1 in my original post but my big fear is loosing the wide angle capability in case the 5DIII fails and I have to rely on the APS-C only.

Btw, i'm not taking all the primes, probably the 21, 35 and 85 only. The 4th lens will be either the 70-200 F4 or the 70-200 2.8 II or the 100-400, base don your recommendations ;=)

On wide angle, there where no subjects that wouldn't fit into 28 mm full frame equivalent, composition wise you may prefer wider of course, like your 21mm.

If your really afraid of camera failure, yes I would take a second full frame. Never had a camera die on me, but twice while on holiday In the USA my standard zoom died....

Really you can always take along as much gear as you want, question is if its a problem lugging around all day.....
In that regard the 70-200f4 is a lot lighter than the 2.8 or 100-400.

Some non photography related advice, consider camping ( rented an RV), saves a lot of travel and some campgrounds are amazing, like the one at Godafoss. Due to the extreme lengthy daytime, you can do a lot of photography in the evening without bothering to drive to hotels/guesthouses, that may not be near in some cases.

Also, every town has a warm pool open till 9 PM, that's almost for free, so we never bothered to use the camping showers.

 

[jasonsim]

Hmm...maybe instead of getting a longer lens, get a wide angle zoom. Perhaps a 17-40mm f/4L and the 7D as a compliment to the FF. The 1.4x on the 200mm f/4L IS should work decently well stopped down to f/8. Never been to Iceland, but imagine during this time, there is plenty of light with little night.

I'd take the 5D III, 7D, 17-40mm, 50mm Zeiss, 70-200mm + 1.4x. Light and covers mostly any situation. If you have more money to spend, get the 16-35mm instead.

Kind regards,
Jason S.

 

[AlanF]

The worst weather and the highest priced food anywhere. They charge you a fortune to go on a whale spotting boat but don't tell you that they defy all international sensibilities and hunt whales to extinction so the fish/mammals avoid the place. I went on a boat trip where most most were sick after about an hour. As we didn't see any whales, they extended the trip for an hour and the sick people went deep green.
Don't think I am joking - that was for real.

 

[fegari]

Hmm...maybe instead of getting a longer lens, get a wide angle zoom. Perhaps a 17-40mm f/4L and the 7D as a compliment to the FF. The 1.4x on the 200mm f/4L IS should work decently well stopped down to f/8. Never been to Iceland, but imagine during this time, there is plenty of light with little night.

I'd take the 5D III, 7D, 17-40mm, 50mm Zeiss, 70-200mm + 1.4x. Light and covers mostly any situation. If you have more money to spend, get the 16-35mm instead.

Kind regards,
Jason S.

I tend to favor primes and not bringing the Zeiss 21 is non negotiable :=) that rules out buying any wide angle zooms. I'm starting to rule out the 100-400 also so it's looking more and more to bring "a" 70-200, the 1.4x extender and get a used 7D for backup.

Still haven't decided whether selling the 70-200 F4 IS and getting the 2.8 II though. As I mentioned I'm not a fan of my 70-200 F4 IS with the 1.4extender (neither at f/5.6 nor 6.3), so this is were the extra stop of the 2.8 II can improve things.

 

[eml58]

Hi Fegari, We may see each other, I'm in Iceland July 08th through July 24th.

If Rental was an Option I'de suggest the 7D & 70-200f/2.8 II, combined with a Series III 1.4x Extender, and your 5DMK III plus WA lenses, you should be sweet.

I'm arriving Iceland after 4 weeks in Tanzania, so I've had to bring 2 different set ups, Long for Tanzania, WA for Iceland, luckily I have my Son the Sherpa with me.

I bought the 17 & 24 TSE lenses especially for this trip so will be interesting to see how well, they perform.

Have a great trip & maybe we'll cross paths.

 

[shutterwideshut]

....luckily I have my Son the Sherpa with me.

LOL! That is sweet! Looking forward to your shots in your upcoming trip!

 

[Vivid Color]

If you are going to buy another lens, you may also wish to consider the 70-300L, which is lighter, shorter, and has better IS than the 100 to 400. And, if attached to a cropped body, the 70-300 effectively becomes a 112-480.

 

[RGF]

If you are going to buy another lens, you may also wish to consider the 70-300L, which is lighter, shorter, and has better IS than the 100 to 400. And, if attached to a cropped body, the 70-300 effectively becomes a 112-480.

+100 Highly recommend 70-300L. Much lighter than that 70-200 F2.8 and better reach. Lighter and sharper than the 100-400. Great all around lens

Why the Zeiss 21 and not the 15? I have a canon 14 which I really like, the UWA is great on 5D3

 

[eml58]

....luckily I have my Son the Sherpa with me.

LOL! That is sweet! Looking forward to your shots in your upcoming trip!

Unfortunately the Older Sherpa just headed off to Medical School, so I've lost his services for the next 6 years, fortunately I was smart enough to convince my wife we needed two, but the Sherpa I have left is the "Surfer" Sherpa, takes more motivation than the "Older Sherpa", but they're both wonderful Lads.

 

[scottkinfw]

I haven't been to Iceland, but sounds great- congrats!

My 2cents- get a 7D for the reach and focus. I have the 70-200 f4l and 2.8II- love them both. Remember that the latter is very heavy to carry, and on a full frame, doesn't get that much reach.

You may want to hold on the 2.8 for now and spend the $ on the trip. I also always carry 2 bodies when I go on an important trip just because I am paranoid. Just saying.

sek

Hi Fegari, We may see each other, I'm in Iceland July 08th through July 24th.

If Rental was an Option I'de suggest the 7D & 70-200f/2.8 II, combined with a Series III 1.4x Extender, and your 5DMK III plus WA lenses, you should be sweet.

I'm arriving Iceland after 4 weeks in Tanzania, so I've had to bring 2 different set ups, Long for Tanzania, WA for Iceland, luckily I have my Son the Sherpa with me.

I bought the 17 & 24 TSE lenses especially for this trip so will be interesting to see how well, they perform.

Have a great trip & maybe we'll cross paths.

Try to hit Tarangire National Park- it is totally awesome!

 

[scottkinfw]

This is off topic, but..

be sure to bring at least a few extra batteries and cards.

sek

Hi

This topic may have been beaten to death and I have tried to read whatever I could find for Iceland but haven't yet decided the way to go so hopefully you guys that have been there could advice. I'll be there this summer and being one of those one in a lifetime trips you want to ensure all bases are covered. My current equipment consist of:

5D III
Zeiss 2.8/21
Sigma 35 1.4 HSM Art
Zeiss 2/50 MP
Canon 85L II
Zeiss 2/100 MP
Canon 70-200 F4 IS (+ 1.4extender II)

I got therefore a nice focal range covered but the question I may need your advice with concerns the darn Puffins, the occasional bird in the Myvatn area and the long reach landscape shots. I think this will in turn also influence the choice for the backup body to get:

From what I read (or not???) a 200mm may be a bit short for Puffins or the birds at the Myvatn area and I'm not impressed by the 70-200 F4 IS coupled with the 1.4x extender I currently have. The options I can think of is to selling the 70-200 F4 IS and getting a 70-200 2.8 II (keeping the 1.4 extender) or to get a used Canon 100-400 instead.

Regarding the backup body I would consider the following options:
1) any used APS-C (7D that I know well or 60D or even a 650D etc): I can get them cheap used. APS-C has the added crop factor bonus so the option to take a 70-200 II with extender becomes very versatile for the birding. However in the eventuality the 5DIII fails then I'll have only an APS-C so my 21mm becomes effectivelly a 35mm which is not very nice for a place such as Iceland...

2) a cheap used 5D II: whatever happens with the 5DIII I still have the wide end properly covered with the 21mm but then I may need to get the 100-400 (?)

So, to end a long post what would you do:

-Used APS-C as backup body, selling 70-200 F4 IS and getting 70-200 2.8 II (I keep the 1.4 extender anyway)
-Used 5DII as backup body, selling the 70-200 F4 IS and getting the Canon 100-400

Nota: I plan to resell whatever backup body I get after returning.

Thanks for the help!

 

[wockawocka]

When using such a long focal length the difference between 2.8 and F4 fade away.

What doesn't is the weight. From experience in Iceland the weight will mean a lot of the time the 2.8 stays in the vehicle. So I recommend the F4 IS and the 100-400L Which should weight only a little more combined than the 2. alone.

You really don't need the heavy fast glass on this trip.

 

[AlanF]

I took a 7D with a 100-400mm L, and got a couple of bird keepers. Here is a tern feeding its young.

 

[fegari]

Hi Fegari, We may see each other, I'm in Iceland July 08th through July 24th.

If Rental was an Option I'de suggest the 7D & 70-200f/2.8 II, combined with a Series III 1.4x Extender, and your 5DMK III plus WA lenses, you should be sweet.

I'm arriving Iceland after 4 weeks in Tanzania, so I've had to bring 2 different set ups, Long for Tanzania, WA for Iceland, luckily I have my Son the Sherpa with me.

I bought the 17 & 24 TSE lenses especially for this trip so will be interesting to see how well, they perform.

Have a great trip & maybe we'll cross paths.

Hi, would have been nice to meet there so I could borrow the TS's but I'll be arriving just after the 07/24. Though maybe we could keep in touch, maybe you can give me some pointers about your trip!

 

[fegari]

If you are going to buy another lens, you may also wish to consider the 70-300L, which is lighter, shorter, and has better IS than the 100 to 400. And, if attached to a cropped body, the 70-300 effectively becomes a 112-480.

Thanks for the remark though I think i've reduced the choice to either the 70-200 F4 IS or the 2.8 IS II, still can't decide but one of the reasons (besides the fact I prefer constant aperture lenses) is that I think could eventulally sell the 2.8 much easier than the 70-300 or even a 100-400. And if you take into account the current Canon's rebate it makes a lot more sense too.