What lenses to bring to the snow?
Hello all,
Trying to figure out if I have the right lenses for a week in Colorado, doing various snowbound activities, including dog sledding. Yes, dog sledding. My current lineup:
Good Tripod
5D markII
EF 135 f/2L
EF 24-105 f/4L IS
EF 50mm f/1.4
EF 35 f/1.4L
EF... Oh yeah, I just sold the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. Hmm, nothing too long.
Some factors:
1. I will be traveling with kids, so the amount of time I'll realistically have to be a "photographer" is minimal—maybe a couple hours here and there, getting up very early to trek if possible. I will likely be a snap-shooter and family photog most of the time.
2. It will be cold (10-deg F) and possibly snowing at points. The mark II should be up for the task if I limit exposure as well as the 24-105, which is weather sealed. I need to make sure I can cover the other lenses, should I bring them.
I sold the 70-200 2.8 because it was too big. I owned the f/4 model which was a decent size but the white-conspicuousness of it, made me leave it home sometimes. I kind of wish I had it now, but I must soldier on. Should I buy or rent a 1.4x TC for the 135 and try going prime? I typically shot the 70-200 at 200mm all the time anyway.
I could also rent another f/4, but I'm big on keeping a low profile at the moment. Other rental options would be the 75-300 DO or the 200 f/2.8L II. I am currently renting a 100-400, which I like a lot but would cramp my style for the aforementioned reasons.
The 24-105 is likely to be the "main" lens for this trip. I would probably bring the 135 and leave either the 50 or the 35 at home. The smaller the number of items the better. The 50 is tiny and great and the 35 is not as tiny and sublime. What would you do?
Trying to figure out if I have the right lenses for a week in Colorado, doing various snowbound activities, including dog sledding. Yes, dog sledding. My current lineup:
Good Tripod
5D markII
EF 135 f/2L
EF 24-105 f/4L IS
EF 50mm f/1.4
EF 35 f/1.4L
EF... Oh yeah, I just sold the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. Hmm, nothing too long.
Some factors:
1. I will be traveling with kids, so the amount of time I'll realistically have to be a "photographer" is minimal—maybe a couple hours here and there, getting up very early to trek if possible. I will likely be a snap-shooter and family photog most of the time.
2. It will be cold (10-deg F) and possibly snowing at points. The mark II should be up for the task if I limit exposure as well as the 24-105, which is weather sealed. I need to make sure I can cover the other lenses, should I bring them.
I sold the 70-200 2.8 because it was too big. I owned the f/4 model which was a decent size but the white-conspicuousness of it, made me leave it home sometimes. I kind of wish I had it now, but I must soldier on. Should I buy or rent a 1.4x TC for the 135 and try going prime? I typically shot the 70-200 at 200mm all the time anyway.
I could also rent another f/4, but I'm big on keeping a low profile at the moment. Other rental options would be the 75-300 DO or the 200 f/2.8L II. I am currently renting a 100-400, which I like a lot but would cramp my style for the aforementioned reasons.
The 24-105 is likely to be the "main" lens for this trip. I would probably bring the 135 and leave either the 50 or the 35 at home. The smaller the number of items the better. The 50 is tiny and great and the 35 is not as tiny and sublime. What would you do?
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Comments
I'm also renting the Sigma 50-500. How will this do?
I haven't really used any of my lenses in snow yet, but we'll see how they work. I imagine the 10-22 and 24-105 will be on my camera most often, unless i really need to zoom in, then it'll be the 50-500.
OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture
My Equipment:
Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon EOS 1
Lenses: Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8
Lighting: Canon 580EXII, Canon 420 EX, 12" Reflector, Pocket Wizard Plus II (3), AB800 (3), Large Softbox
Stability: Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod, Manfrotto 488RC4 Ball Head, Manfrotto 679B Monopod
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490514-USA/LensCoat_LC70_200_4BK_Lens_Cover_for_Canon.html
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
The Canon 1.4x teleconverter should work OK with the EF 135mm, f2L USM but, it's white.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Stealth, weight. I remember being made an example of in a group with the f/4 IS a couple times, so maybe I'm still smarting from that! Again, I know not too many fans of the 200mm f/2.8L II with you practical types
My hand covers that area!
What I really need is Andy to come by and advocate primes. I'm sure he'll tell me to rent the 70-200 again. :cry
The less time you have to photograph the more frustrated you will be changing lenses. Keep it simple:
24-105mm + 50mm and the 100-400
Travel light and enjoy the trip!
― Edward Weston
Good advice. I extended the 100-400 for another week. Gotta get over the white lens phobia. I think it'll actually blend in with all that frozen water.
Vielen Dank!
No one has mentioned flash...I assume you will pack a 580II or similar, because the 5-12 a.m. time frame is where you'll get some great cozy shots in Dark, cozy restaurants, and condos. The walks in the mall also need flash or a compact tripod.
The 9-4 p.m. slot is full of outrageous stark light with reflection off the snow...another requirement for fill light all day long. I'd be ready to use single spot focus and light readings on your specific skier, and you'll be ecstatic. Use scattergun readings and they will all be dark.
Long range lens will be a waste (IMO, of course) in that at ski areas during ski season, your movement is restricted by snow, and brilliant scenery is in the vastness; not in the close up of a peak. The 10-20 works great in lots of situations.
Or, back to the G10! I don't have one yet, but my G9 has all the paint worn off the zoom button and around 15k exposures. Just too much fun!
Yes, I'm planning on taking the G9 more or less everywhere.
Probably just one of the 580IIs. Thanks again for the exposure advice.
The 100-400 is for the boys. I can see leaving it in the hotel (erm, "chalet"
Thanks for the suggestions.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Use a camera bag and let the cold items equalize as slowly as possible and practical. An empty ice chest can also be used to store and transport items between environments.
I have used a clear plastic bag to allow equipment to warm in sunshine when possible.
Some pros use 2 sets of equipment and leave each set in a more or less constant environment. This works well if there is a tight schedule to maintain.
If you do get condensation inside of a lens, a hair dryer on a low setting works pretty well. Bring the temperature up gradually.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
― Edward Weston
Never prolific, but I see my post counter has been reset with my latest password fumble. Terrific site. Good to be here again.
It is fun to think about taking lots of gear to a ski area. We've been going for a long time. A couple more thoughts came since my last post;
Long lens as we know are heavy and bulky, but if you're not the greatest skier and do not feel comfortable moving around the moguls without poles just hanging on to the camera, they can help you get action shots up close. Skiing backwards is a great help!
A large baggie with slits for the neckband so that it hangs upside down over the camera when skiing, and pushed back over the straps for shooting works okay. You will get snow on it...folks love to spray a stationary target.
Recently bought a used non-IS version of above and covered it with rubber bands made from bicycle inner tube - cut apertures for the switches and very little white now visible - and looks naff.
Darned sight cheaper than $80
pp
Flickr
You just "have" to get a picture of that covered lens to share here. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif" border="0" alt="" >
I bought an inner tube to cut up for use on flashes to hold modifiers onto the flash, but I never thought of using it to cover a lens. I just might have to do that now.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Laughed out loud. This was wonderfully timed, at least the way I read it.
Also shows I've got 'previous' ... as the 'boy(ette)s in blue' would say ... with one of my fav. lenses from FD days, 200 /2.8.
I covered that for different reasons, so's it could be rested / supported on rough surfaces like brick walls / concrete etc without having to worry about it too much.
Re the 70-200, I'd revise the bit next to the cam if using the tripod clamp... and if I could find my roll of black tape I'd stick a bit of that over the end where the red ring is
Think I used a bit of 12.5in x 2.25in tube (from kids bikes / scooters) for this, btw - but I'd use motorbike / car / truck tubes as appropriate for other size (white, esp) lenses (if I had any)
... can't imagine anyone in their right mind shelling out 50+ quid to do the same job, personally.
pp
Flickr
Great idea.
For anyone wanting to "tone down" the appearance of a white lens, Canon, Nikon and Minolta have them, this is a quick and cost effective method.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
― Edward Weston