Highlands photography with 300d
Discussion
Wife and I are off up to Fort William on Wednesday to do a bit of site seeing and touring in the Highlands (Hi GetCarter 
)
I've "only" got a Canon 300d camera and the stock 18-55mm and 75-300mm zoom lenses. These are both standard EF lenses. I know they'll take ok pictures, but is it worth hiring a EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM for the trip? Will I see a dramatic improvement over the standard lenses if shooting in RAW?
I'll be taking a tripod, and hope to be able to take a few nice pictures while there.
) I've "only" got a Canon 300d camera and the stock 18-55mm and 75-300mm zoom lenses. These are both standard EF lenses. I know they'll take ok pictures, but is it worth hiring a EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM for the trip? Will I see a dramatic improvement over the standard lenses if shooting in RAW?
I'll be taking a tripod, and hope to be able to take a few nice pictures while there.
A more expensive lens will probably result in photos that are slightly sharper, but IMO that is far down the list of what makes a good photo. Getting the right light and composition is much more important.
If you go to the expense of hiring a lens, I would recommend an ultra-wide angle like a 10-20mm. This will allow you to take completely different compositions, whereas a 24-105 will allow you to take exactly the same compositions, but marginally better quality.
If you go to the expense of hiring a lens, I would recommend an ultra-wide angle like a 10-20mm. This will allow you to take completely different compositions, whereas a 24-105 will allow you to take exactly the same compositions, but marginally better quality.
SamHH said:
A more expensive lens will probably result in photos that are slightly sharper, but IMO that is far down the list of what makes a good photo. Getting the right light and composition is much more important.
If you go to the expense of hiring a lens, I would recommend an ultra-wide angle like a 10-20mm. This will allow you to take completely different compositions, whereas a 24-105 will allow you to take exactly the same compositions, but marginally better quality.
Guess depends if O/P wants to "learn" the 10-20mm (and how to use a poloriser, mistake I did on one holiday and tbh it's stayed in the box since) or use a range that they are confident with so can concentrate on the important bits you've highlighted? TBH I know sod all about landscapes I would have thought a tripod to be able to bracket exposures would be more important than a slighty sharper lens?If you go to the expense of hiring a lens, I would recommend an ultra-wide angle like a 10-20mm. This will allow you to take completely different compositions, whereas a 24-105 will allow you to take exactly the same compositions, but marginally better quality.
The only thing I would be careful about is exposure on the 300D. I had difficulty with ours for some reason. Always seemed to be either a bit over or a bit under. It's worth checking them as you take them.
The best thing you can buy, and I'd certainly recommend it, is a Neutral Density filter or two. Worth popping into Jessops and getting the Cokin kit in my opinion. Get the heaviest ND filter if you can only get one.
It'll allow you to bring the exposure of the sky down, and bring the exposure up of the scenery. For the 20-30 quid you'll spend in filters, it'll speak volumes in the end result.
Plus it gives you a bit more to think about when you are taking the pictures.
The best thing you can buy, and I'd certainly recommend it, is a Neutral Density filter or two. Worth popping into Jessops and getting the Cokin kit in my opinion. Get the heaviest ND filter if you can only get one.
It'll allow you to bring the exposure of the sky down, and bring the exposure up of the scenery. For the 20-30 quid you'll spend in filters, it'll speak volumes in the end result.
Plus it gives you a bit more to think about when you are taking the pictures.
I've a UV filter on both my lenses to protect the front elements, and I've also got a good set of graduation filters and a polarising filter to play with. I'm not sure SWMBO will allow me much time to get lots of pictures, but we'll give it a go
I was contemplating hiring a hasselblad again, but that would really take up far to much time and the learning curve would be too great for a short trip.
I was contemplating hiring a hasselblad again, but that would really take up far to much time and the learning curve would be too great for a short trip.
Well, we've been here for 2 days now. Came up yesterday. We did the "greatest drive in the Uk" today. Although we stopped so often to admire and photograph the views we didn't finish the route. Made it to torridon and the new coffee shop there, but had to take the quick route back to fort William. This scenery is simply breathtaking at every turn of a corner. Mr carter, you're a very lucky man to live in this place. I'll post some pictures when I'm home, for now, I'm just enjoying the scenery.
cw42 said:
Well, we've been here for 2 days now. Came up yesterday. We did the "greatest drive in the Uk" today. Although we stopped so often to admire and photograph the views we didn't finish the route. Made it to torridon and the new coffee shop there, but had to take the quick route back to fort William. This scenery is simply breathtaking at every turn of a corner. Mr carter, you're a very lucky man to live in this place. I'll post some pictures when I'm home, for now, I'm just enjoying the scenery.
glad you are enjoying it and agreed love the west coast, v jealous after coming home from crappy commute, look forwards to the photos 
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