I'm going to Iceland in June (cliché I know) and I just trying to decide on my kit. This is a shorter trip to Iceland that will take me around the Golden Circle, south coast to Vik, Reykjavik, and the general West/Southwest portion of Iceland.
I am mainly a prime shooter. It just clicks with me better (generally) as far as how I shoot and it translates a bit better between my digital and film kits. Also I'm a masochist.
Anyways, I'm trying to decide what lenses I'm going to take with me. I have the following:
The 56mm is probably out of the running due to lack of weather sealing.
I'm thinking of taking the 13mm, 18mm, and 75mm for this trip. Alternatively just take the 18mm and 75mm for a smaller, lighter kit.
I did some previous trips to Yosemite and Seattle where I had the most success with the 13mm and 75mm. The 27mm was brought along but didn't see any use. I tend to like to pick out my subjects rather than very expansive shots. Either using something tighter to pull something out or using a wide angle and pushing in close. This is where I find the most success. Swapping the 27mm with the 18mm would save me a little weight and give me another option for when 13mm is just a touch too wide.
I was playing around with the idea of picking up the 70-300 instead of using the 75mm. It is lighter and offers more flexibility, but idk if I would really get the value out of the extra reach. Wishing Fuji would make a new 10-24 with a revised optical formula as I would buy that in a heartbeat for landscape and architecture work.
I do well with creative restraints so I know that whatever I bring I will make it work. But, does anyone have any thoughts on my kit idea? Anything I may not be considering or think I may be missing out on?
I'd take the 13 given your choices, but that one's a bit too chunky for my tastes (I have the XF 14 and the 10-24 v2). I guess you could get away with 18 if you are OK with that constraint or are willing to stitch some images together for something wider if the need arises (from what you say you might be fine with 18 at the wide end).
18 to 75 is a huge gap. I'd want something around 35mm to close it (I guess your 27 would do that, but there are plenty of good first and third party options here and you said that you didn't use it that much in your previous trips).
If you plan to do any wildlife photography there I think you should go ahead and get that 70-300. May to June is prime birdwatching season in Iceland and if you spot an Atlantic Puffin I don't think any of your existing lenses are going to get the job done.
If you were a real masochist, you'd just take your phone.
I've been to Iceland twice. The first time with an Olympus E-MI II and a 12-100. The second time with a Nikon Z7 and 24-70 (I also had a Z6 with a 24-200 which saw only scant use). The 24-70 was just fine for probably most of the trip. I agree with Jack above - 16-55 and the 13 for some interesting perspectives. 70-300 if you are birding.
Do you want to document the island (it's been done before)? Take everything to "cover everything". Get the same pictures that everyone already have taken.
Or do you want to shoot with your style, like only you do? Take the same lenses you use the most at home. Only shoot what interest you and don't bother if you are not "covered" for exactly everything. It's not necessary.
[Sorry if a bit snarky, but I really don't understand these questions]
Makten hit the nail on the head—thanks for that! Why take photos that already exist a thousand times over? Why keep reproducing the same old clichés? It’s boring, and it has nothing to do with you—as a photographer, as a creative individual. Art begins where it connects with the self. Your own perspective on things is what counts—not the thousandfold reproduction of the exact same images. Unfortunately, the internet is full of them, though fortunately, there are exceptions. I’d say: do your own thing. Document your journey and your experiences using the tools you normally use anyway. That way, it becomes *your* work—rather than just a cheap carbon copy.
Great points by Makten on lenses and Mabra about making your own art. But I have a counterpoint, a shot I took 35 years ago of Lower Yellowstone Falls. Its super common, all over the internet, an iconic shot that's been done over and over. Yet my print of it hangs on my mother's wall and has since I gave it to her 33 years ago. It matters to her that I took it and gave it to her. It matters to me for a number of reasons surrounding my day, that trip, and that point in my life. Now I see some flaws, but still kind of impressed that it was film, shot on a fully manual SLR, by a clueless 24 year old.
SGinNorcal wrote:
Great points by Makten on lenses and Mabra about making your own art. But I have a counterpoint, a shot I took 35 years ago of Lower Yellowstone Falls. Its super common, all over the internet, an iconic shot that's been done over and over. Yet my print of it hangs on my mother's wall and has since I gave it to her 33 years ago. It matters to her that I took it and gave it to her. It matters to me for a number of reasons surrounding my day, that trip, and that point in my life. Now I see some flaws, but still kind of impressed that it was film, shot on a fully manual SLR, by a clueless 24 year old....Show more →
Yes, but I think your story illustrates their points entirely: you got a compelling shot by simply being in the right place at the right time, connecting with the subject matter, and using the equipment you had--not obsessing over focal length, weather sealing, etc.
There's obviously a reason why the same shot has been made a million times before.
Last time I was in Iceland I took slide film, B&W and a 50mm. The slide film was all cross processed. The only thing I was missing was a warmer jacket (it was October!)
My style would be to bring the 18 and the 56. Cropping power would fix the rest.
I'd take the 13 & 27, and I'd also pick up the 70-300 since it's on sale now. The advantage of this combination is that all of them have a 67mm filter thread so you don't need to bother with either multiple sets of filters or adapters.
Also, telephoto lenses are great for landscape shots.
