I'd go with the 50mm on full frame - it's wide enough for most stuff (you can always stitch a couple of frames together if you want a w/a shot), small enough to tote and fast enough to deal with all that standard lousy weather without having to go to very high ISO. You also have enough MP's to handle fairly extreme crops without significant loss of detail.
Just a caution - the UK has some unusual laws regarding pictures of people even in public places which you may want to check out on the net.
Oosty wrote:
Just a caution - the UK has some unusual laws regarding pictures of people even in public places which you may want to check out on the net.
Well, this appears to be a common myth, backed up by anecdotal evidence.
Sometime ago I approached my MP about some issues, and got a letter back from the Home Office telling me that there was NO restriction on photography in public places, and NO rights to privacy (i.e. not having your photo taking) in a public place. It is up to the Chief Constable to ensure that all officers are aware of the laws and to enforce them correctly.
The Police do not have the right to delete photos from your camera without a court order.
Security staff at public buildings (or even private land) do not have the rights to confiscate your equipment either. If in doubt, they need to call the Police and let them deal with it.
However, you need to make sure you don't break other laws, like blocking the pavement and/or roads or access to other places with things like Tripods. using a Tripod on most public areas in London (especially on the bridges etc) is not permitted because it unduly blocks movement of people/traffic.
I don't really understand the question, do you have three lenses and only want to take one? If so then as others have said the 50mm really doesn't add anything it's so small.
I was in London in January and pretty much had my 18-200mm on my D90 all of the time, I don't know that I could limit myself to one prime.
Just to be different I'd take the Sigma and the 50mm, the glass may not be as good but that's because you are getting flexibility, would you rather take a chance on missing the picture you want just because you didn't have a wide enough or long enough lens.
Sometime ago I approached my MP about some issues, and got a letter back from the Home Office telling me that there was NO restriction on photography in public places, and NO rights to privacy (i.e. not having your photo taking) in a public place. It is up to the Chief Constable to ensure that all officers are aware of the laws and to enforce them correctly.
The Police do not have the right to delete photos from your camera without a court order.
Security staff at public buildings (or even private land) do not have the rights to confiscate your equipment either. If in doubt, they need to call the Police and let them deal with it.
However, you need to make sure you don't break other laws, like blocking the pavement and/or roads or access to other places with things like Tripods. using a Tripod on most public areas in London (especially on the bridges etc) is not permitted because it unduly blocks movement of people/traffic.
Oosty wrote:
Or refer to P.82-84 of issue 78 of Digital Camera Magazine which puts it in a nutshell
Not all of us buy magazines because it's (mostly) the same stuff that just goes around and around - especially in the UK mags that are all published by just one or two large publishing organisations.
If I didn't know better, I'd think they all use the same articles over and over - sent back and forth between different magazine staff, and just reworded slightly. I gave up buying them a long time ago.... but still chuckle in WH Smiths each month when they repeat the same stuff time and time again.
So, maybe the magazine tells you something that the free online information doesn't, and hopefully it was worth paying for.
"I'm visiting the UK. Can you deliver to my hotel?
Well, we can, but we’re not convinced it’s a good idea. When our lens is delivered it has to be signed for, and once it’s been signed for it becomes your responsibility. The trouble is, at a hotel you don’t necessarily know who’s going to be signing for the parcel when it arrives, and if it goes astray then you’ve got a problem. This feels pretty risky to us, so if you really want us to deliver to your hotel then we’re going to have to take a deposit equal to the value of the lens. Sorry about that."
Not sure how they compare to US rental costs though. Lens for Hire do mention two US companies, so check if it's easier and cheaper to rent a lens before you go and bringit with you:-
"If you’re visiting the USA we’d whole-heartedly recommend getting in touch with Mark and Max at BorrowLenses.com, or Roger at LensRentals.com, for your lens hire needs."
I took a 28 and 50 on a 1D to London once and used the 28 more often. On full frame, I would want a 28 or wider. A fast lens would be great for indoor. Don't see a need for a long lens.
Here is the plan. Taking 28-200 poo and 50. Going to stop by Calumet photo in London and rent 14-24. Thanks for all helpful suggestions. I'll try and post when I return.
a can't think of anything more "un-fun" than toting around a 14-24 on vacation. how much is that going to cost you to rent?
i like the 50. it's the way to go. forget the other junk.
Micah25 wrote:
Here is the plan. Taking 28-200 poo and 50. Going to stop by Calumet photo in London and rent 14-24. Thanks for all helpful suggestions. I'll try and post when I return.
I certainly don't like your options. If this is a once in a lifetime deal, then I would rent a lens in London Maybe a 24-70, which would allow you some of the wides and some people shots.
You might also try a 70-300 (good copy), which is a good travel lens.
But, short of this, I'd go with the 50 and see if you can out shoot some great photogs who shot almost exclusively with a 50mm. Have fun!
I went to London with:
Nikon D2X
50 m f1.4 for museums
24-70 mm f2.8 for general use
85 mm f1.4 for candid street photos
70-200 for tele landscapes
Close-Up Filter for flowers - ie Kew Gardens
London is such a great city - lots of photo ops.
have fun,
maljo
On my bi-weekly excursions to Lonon, 50 on DX is about right for my style. You might want something around the 15-20mm range for the usual sights, but anything else can be done with a 50. Anything longer is too long, anything much shorter and there's far too much in it (i.e. people, garbage bins and so on).
