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Saskatchewan Landscape Photography Update
I am counting down the hours until I get on the plane to Saskatchewan. I’m a bit embarrassed, but I’m almost more excited about my first landscape photography outing than for my cousin’s wedding. Thankfully, she doesn’t read this site. My secret is safe with you…
I’ve gotten most of my photographic affairs in order, leaving me time to focus on minor details such as my suit, dress shoes, and packing. You know; all the little things. Before I set everything in stone, I’d love to get reader feedback on what I’ve decided to take with me!
Lenses for Landscape Photography
The two most popular lenses recommended to me from my previous post were the Sigma 10-20mm and the Canon 17-40mm. I tried out the Sigma on a one day rental a couple weeks ago and I had a lot of fun with it. It was a lot of fun to play with, particularly for my Celebration of Light fireworks photos.
In the end, I’ve settled on the Canon 17-40mm lens. It’s going to be doing double-duty for some wedding photos and the distortion on the Sigma is much harsher than on the Canon. I’m also worried about an inability to zoom in and keep certain elements out of the frame with the Sigma.
What’s in my Camera Bag
Here’s what I’ve decided I can cart around on my back without dying of heat exhaustion:
- Canon Digital Rebel XT
- Canon 17-40mm F/4L (rented)
- Canon 50mm F/1.8 w/polarizer
- Canon 18-55mm kit lens w/polarizer
- Velbon Tripod
- 3 CF cards, totaling 7GB or about 900 RAW photos
- 2 Bottles of water
- 3 Snacks
- Misc: Cell phone, Ball bungees, camera manual, lens caps, uv filters, sunscreen
So to all of my readers, beginner and pros alike, I pose the question: “What am I missing?“
Wendy Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Thanks so much for blogging my photo Andrew. I don’t have much advice re: camera equipment but I would advise you to bring bug spray along. The mosquitoes are carrying the dreaded west nile virus now and lots of people have developed it.
Regarding Andrea’s comment on your previous post - I think the situation has changed for the canola. The weather’s not quite as hot now. The canola has ripened AND further south where you will be it is probably combined already. If you are able to capture the swaths in the evening light they would be gorgeous. Something else you may need to be considering is lots of wind. Sometimes that affects the situation. Again depending on the stage of crops there you may be able to catch “waves” in the standing crops. That would not be in canola but more so in wheat (rarely grown) or barley.
Have a great time with your visit here.
Brian Larter Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
mini flashlight, card reader….do you have a laptop? Extra usb cord if you have one, lens cleaner (cloth).
And don’t bother with the kit lens, you already have that range covered and it’s so soft.
Vincent Janelle Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Cable shutter release? Eyesight cap for long exposure light bleeds?
Ajay Ravichandran Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
I always carry an extra charged battery and charger with me…this has saved my life many a times…and oops you forgot the hat!!
Flash Gordon Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
What, no flash?
Susheel Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Andrew, forgive me if I sound too much like a equipment geek, but I am…
You don’t have a longer lens than 55mm (which is of course, more like a 85 with your camera’s crop factor), and sometimes while on landscape/nature shoots you may come across that animal or detail in the scenery that you may want to capture…
I’ve found that sometimes I’ve wanted to capture pictures of some interesting birds in the scene, but was not able to because I only had a 135mm with my Canon AE-1 (I was only 12 y/o at the time, but still…)
If you’re aiming to get only sceneries and not worried about losing an animal shot or two, then you’re fine…
You may want to read Jim Goldstein’s post on lenses for landscape photography
Susheel Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
And you may want to watch my blog in the future too… I’ve been running a series on lenses for various applications, but I haven’t got down to writing on landscape photography yet, so not much help there… Sorry.
Nat Said,
August 21, 2007 @ 1:07 am
Some paper and a pen to write stuff down. I don’t know what yet but you’ll think of something…
Ed Z Said,
August 21, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
I agree with the recommendation for a longer lens. I’ve gotten some great landscape shots by “zooming in” that didn’t really work with a wide or normal lens.
also, I’ve found that an external flash is useful for fill, even in landscapes. not necessary, but more creative options is never a bad thing! (useful for illuminating bushes/trees/foliage/etc… in the foreground that would otherwise be cast in shadow)
Andrew Ferguson Said,
August 21, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
@Wendy: Thanks for all the advice! I totally forgot about bug spray. Typical city boy ignorance :P
@Brian: I don’t own a card reader or a laptop, but the flashlight is not a bad idea! Amusingly enough I have the lens cloth with me more often than my camera, I always keep it in the back pocket of my jeans.
I debated leaving the kit lens behind, your comment cemented it though. I’ll be fine with the two I’ve got.
@Vincent: Sadly I don’t own either of those things. I really need to get either a cable release for my Rebel or a remote. I just haven’t gotten around to it.
Andrew Ferguson Said,
August 21, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Flash Gordon: Completely slipped my mind. I have a Vivitar 285HV, sync cable, and an umbrella/stand combo that collapses down to suprisingly small dimensions. It will definitely be in my suitcase.
Susheel: I’ve read Jim’s article before, but thanks for the reminder! I’d love to take a longer lens with me, my ideal choice being the Canon 70-200mm F/4L, but my budget just doesn’t allow me to rent more than one lens for a week.
I’m hundreds of dollars over-budget for this paycheck as it is :P Financial planning, she is not my strong point.
I’ve subscribed to your blog (I especially liked your post on whether or not flashes could be damaging to babies) and added you to my blogroll.
Nat: Pen and paper is good! I have a lovely leather zip-up case with paper & pens that I don’t get to use often enough. Hooray for free crap from the office.
Ed: Yeah, I’d love the longer focal length but I just can’t afford it. I’ll have to do things the old-fashioned way and zoom with my feet.
The flash, my most obviously forgotten accessory, is coming for sure though.