Lens for Iceland end of Feb

[Hector1970]

Hi All,
I am taking a trip to Iceland in late Feb 2016.
There are lots of helpful comments on what gear to take but alot of them are for summer time.

I don't know how frozen Iceland is by the time February comes around.
I think it's the southern half I will be in..

I was wondering is there much use in a 100-400mm lens at that time of year (I don't know if there is much wildlife).
Would a polarizer be of much use at that time of year?
Anyone tell me if a 16-34 F4 IS L is much better than a 17-40mm L.
Not sure how big a difference there is between 16mm and 17mm.

Any general advice about Feb weather conditions. Does it rain all the time? Do you sometimes get clear skies for astrophotography. Any point in a macro lens at that time of the year?

Roughly speaking what I might bring is
5D III , 7D II
17-40mm or buy a 16-35 F4
70-200mm II or a 100-400mm II
14mm Samyang
24-105mm
50 1.2
100mm Macro L
Manfrotto 055 Xprob with a 310 geared heard (way to heavy - not sure if there is a suitable lighter stable tripod head I should get).

Would be heavy all together.

 

[Eldar]

I doubt you'll find use for your tele-zooms. But if you take one, take the 70-200 f2.8L IS II. For wide angle, the 16-35 f4L IS would be my preference, but the 17-40 stopped down is still good. Polarizing filter is a must. The days are short, so make sure you have a tripod/head. The 24-105 will be good for general walk around use and in my view, 105mm is sufficient for most use at the longer end. But if you bring the 70-200, you could skip the 24-105 and bring the 50/1.2L instead (I would bring both).

Weather is very unpredictable, so be prepared for everything. Weather sealed body and lenses is a good idea.

 

[Hector1970]

I doubt you'll find use for your tele-zooms. But if you take one, take the 70-200 f2.8L IS II. For wide angle, the 16-35 f4L IS would be my preference, but the 17-40 stopped down is still good. Polarizing filter is a must. The days are short, so make sure you have a tripod/head. The 24-105 will be good for general walk around use and in my view, 105mm is sufficient for most use at the longer end. But if you bring the 70-200, you could skip the 24-105 and bring the 50/1.2L instead (I would bring both).

Weather is very unpredictable, so be prepared for everything. Weather sealed body and lenses is a good idea.

Thanks Eldar.
I must get back into the habit of using a polarizing filter.
I used to seeing Iceland as either frozen or green. I find it hard to visualise what it might be like in late Feb.

 

[kaswindell]

The problem with Iceland in February is light, or the lack of it. If I had the options you list I would take the 70-200 with a 1.4x extender, the 24-105, and the 50 plus a wide zoom. Everything I have seen says that the 16-35 is much better than the 17-40 so I would get one for the trip (and plan to myself eventually). You will want a tripod but consider something lighter like a carbon fiber Manfrotto 190 with a suitable head. I am not sure that I would bring both bodies, and might only take the 5D3 but that being said I dragged an A-1 with motor drive, a 1st gen F-1 with power winder, an FTb, 8 FD lenses ranging from 28mm to 300mm and a Sony camcorder around with me 15 years ago when I went to Australia. That could just be 15 years talking. ;-)

 

[Hector1970]

The problem with Iceland in February is light, or the lack of it. If I had the options you list I would take the 70-200 with a 1.4x extender, the 24-105, and the 50 plus a wide zoom. Everything I have seen says that the 16-35 is much better than the 17-40 so I would get one for the trip (and plan to myself eventually). You will want a tripod but consider something lighter like a carbon fiber Manfrotto 190 with a suitable head. I am not sure that I would bring both bodies, and might only take the 5D3 but that being said I dragged an A-1 with motor drive, a 1st gen F-1 with power winder, an FTb, 8 FD lenses ranging from 28mm to 300mm and a Sony camcorder around with me 15 years ago when I went to Australia. That could just be 15 years talking. ;-)

Thanks Kas. I'm told the wind is strong in Feb so I'm not sure to go lighter or not. The 310 geared head is great but its like a block of iron. I don't think I'd risk one camera. It would be just the time on of them would pack in. The 5D III has been used alot. Its been a great an reliable camera up to now.
As I've never been to Iceland I don't know about the light. There seems to be 7 hours daylight but it must not be as bright as it would be further south. I could be wrong but I guess maybe it's an advantage that you could shoot though the day. I guess I'll find out.

 

[Cheekysascha]

Iceland's weather is mental, it can go from completely gorgeous and sunny to hail storm to a blizzard in a single day so I'd recommend bringing a good warm jacket that has chest pockets so you can keep your camera batteries dry and also rain covers and a waterproof camera bag.

As for lenses I'd bring both bodies the 5D III , 7D II
I'd take the 16-35 F4 because it's a lot sharper especially at the edges.

70-200mm II would be my pick as Iceland is more of a wide open country and you probably won't need the 100-400m as much.

14mm Samyang and the 50mm 1.2 would be the other two Lenses I'd recommend to take as the 14mm wide angle would be right at home in Iceland with the beautiful Landscapes and the 50mm 1.2 will be great for portraits or low light work