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Archive 2015 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection

  
 
nebulight
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


Newbie gear question. I’m heading to Iceland in May for two weeks. I currently have a Canon 6D with 24-105 F4 and a 100mm Macro L. I was originally thinking about selling both lens in favor of other lens: 16-35mm f4, 24-70mm f4 and the 70-200 f4 IS. I opted to think about F4 for price and weight. However after reading more about the the 24-70 f4, the weak point in that lens seems to be the midrange which is what would gap the 16-35 and 70-200 lenses. My wife and I went to Zion National Park in August and I would say majority of my shots with the 24-105 were in those ranges. We are going to do a lot of hiking so I was trying to keep the weight down. Plus my major area of interest in landscape work so I was okay with f4 (also it’s going to be daylight for 19 hours while we are there). Do you think it would be wise to go with only the 16-35 and 70-200?

However if I'm going to sell the 100mm, would it be worth it to splurge and get the 70-200 2.8 IS ii? I know it's not a macro, but i really didn't use the 100mm for macro work. The 2.8 is a lot heavier than the f4, but I can't afford to own both so the question would be to suck up the weight to have a better lens the rest of the year?



Jan 26, 2015 at 03:17 PM
smmokan16
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I was in Iceland last summer (late July into August) so I feel somewhat qualified to give my opinion.

When I went, I took my 6D along with the 17-40mm f/4L, 24-105mm f/4L, and the 70-300mm IS USM along with a cadre of filters and a good tripod. Looking at the pictures I took during the trip, I'd break down my usage as follows:

17-40mm: 20%
24-105mm: 60%
70-300mm: 20%

Looking back on my trip, I'm not sure I would have done anything differently gear-wise other than take a few more ND filters. I certainly wouldn't recommend going without your 24-105mm or a 24-70mm variety. In fact, I'd recommend keeping the 24-105mm and don't bother with a 24-70mm... I don't think f/2.8 is all that important in Iceland if you're focusing on landscape photography. Use the money you saved by not buying the 24-70mm and spend it in Iceland.

The only other recommendation is that you may want something a little bit longer if you want to take pictures of the puffins. My 70-300mm was long enough, I think a 70-200mm is cutting it close.

Edited on Jan 26, 2015 at 04:52 PM · View previous versions



Jan 26, 2015 at 04:51 PM
billsnature
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I think you will want the 16-35. I am not a fan of the 24-105. I like the 24-70 f4, but your mileage may vary. You could always pass on the 24-70 all together and go with a 50mm or even a 40mm pancake to fill the gap if you are buying a 70-200.


There is a big difference in weight between the 70-200 f4 and the f2.8. How weight sensitive are you? Will you be carrying a tripod? If you aren't carrying a tripod, I doubt you will see the IQ difference between the f4 and the f2.8 assuming you are shooting hand held at f5.6 to f8 Another option is the 70-300L which is also quite nice in the range.

Shoot me a PM if you are interested in the 70-200 f4, as I get to your neck of the woods from time to time and may be able to give you a great deal on a face to face transaction.

Bill



Jan 26, 2015 at 04:52 PM
sb in ak
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I love my 70-200 f/2.8 II, but for travel, I'd rather have the 70-300. I often shoot landscapes at 200 or 300mm.

I have never been to Iceland, but I live in Alaska.

In your situation, I'd say:

16-35 f/4L
24-105 f/4L
70-300L (or non-L) I've shot with my brother's EF 70-300 and it delivers good results, though it does feel a little flimsy.

Personally, I am not really a fan of the 24-105L (though it is very versatile), and I'd probably replace it with a fast prime, as that more suits my style. Like the 35L/Art or a fast 50.



Jan 26, 2015 at 05:12 PM
lowside67
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I think I could easily do that trip with two lenses, my standard travel kit, a 6D, 17-40L, and 70-300L. If I absolutely had to tack on a 3rd lens, it would probably be my 100L macro. If I had a 16-35 IS I would prefer to take it, but for me a tripod would absolutely be paramount to my kit and with that onboard, I wouldn't sweat not having the IS. At F8 the 17-40 is pretty darn good in the corners, it may not be a 16-35 IS but it requires a BIG print to see the difference.

Mark



Jan 26, 2015 at 05:19 PM
nebulight
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I forgot to mention that I will be bringing a tripod and a mindshift gear rotation180 Panorama backpack.

I know I'll be getting the 16-35mm, but the question is to keep the 24-105 and which telephoto to get. The market for the 24-105 is pretty saturated so I may as well just keep the lens. As for the telephoto, since these will be my only lenses, I keep coming back to the 2.8 as while it's heavier it will provide me with more options in the future. A lot of you mentioned the 70-300, but how about 70-200 plus maybe a 1.4x iii for when I need the extra reach? It would be nice to have both, but my budget can't afford both. I'll be wearing a backpack so I could keep the telephoto in the bag up top to help with the weight.




Jan 27, 2015 at 09:32 AM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


If you're definitely getting the 16-35 IS, keep the 24-105. It's weakness is at 24mm - which the 16-35 covers well. The rest of the focal range is very good stopped down. On a tripod, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between that lens and the 24-70 II at f/8 or f/11.


Jan 27, 2015 at 10:01 AM
alundeb
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I agree about keeping the 24-105 L for the 35-70 mm range.

The latest generation 70-200 IS lenses, both f/2.8 and f/4 do very well with teleconverters. Not much to miss from the 70-300 L with such a setup.



Jan 27, 2015 at 10:07 AM
Schlotkins
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


I'm headed there in May as well. My plan is the 16 - 35 IS, 24- 70 IS, 70 - 200 f4 IS with an 1.4x. I will probably take a 17TSE too.

Chris



Jan 27, 2015 at 10:31 AM
jhg photo
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Taking a 2 week trip to Iceland, need some help on lens selection


Iceland is wonderful for landscapes. Having 16-35 and 70-200 is covering a lot. IS will be good to have as it will often be rather windy. Think of a 32x or 64x ND filter and a tripod for waterfalls. Enjoy!


Jan 27, 2015 at 10:36 AM





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