Picture Setup ~ Nature/Stream

[LowSpark420]

Going to take some early morning shots of a local stream and I believe civil war ruins. It is basically some rocky stream area with partial stone walls left from a very old building.

I am thinking my best setup is going to be my 50 with a tripod and wireless shutter release...

Not really sure I would need the longer lens for anything...MAYBE the kit lens to have some zoom capability while shooting?

I rented a 17-40mm f/4L USM, but it won't be here until Monday or Tuesday and we are shooting this Sunday morning.

Thoughts? Advice?

[Morlow]

May as well take both lenses with you. If you are shooting a stream you will probably want a "long" exposure. Long being relative, but I find exposures over 1 second look much better for water shots than less than a second. So if possible shoot at sunrise or sunset when the light isn't as bright. It will require a longer exposure that way.

If you have a circular polarizer filter that is also huge for shooting water. It greatly reduces reflections from the water and also works to slow your exposure by blocking some light from reaching the sensor. The longer the exposure the better for anything to do with water.

If neither of these are possible just do the best you can! Everything is a learning experience and everyone has to start somewhere. Filters are a great necessity to any landscape photographer's arsenal, although good ones do get quite expensive.

[DreDaze]

i'd take the 18-55mm, and leave the fifty at home...from what you described i think it'd serve you a lot better...i'd definitely want wider than 50mm...

[400dabuser]

Wide angle lens is good, but if you want to be 'nearer', then perhaps I would suggest an ultra wide angle lens

[chauncey]

Use whichever lens that gives you the absolute best IQ and then compose with your feet.

[LowSpark420]

I really wish I was going to have the 17-40 with me, but it won't arrive until Monday...

[DreDaze]

I really wish I was going to have the 17-40 with me, but it won't arrive until Monday...

for what you are shooting...i'm assuming you're going to be stopped down to f8/11 or so...using a tripod...i don't even know if you'd be able to tell the difference between the L and your kit...

[LowSpark420]

Really?? You think so? Well I guess we will find out tomorrow (pending weather)

[DreDaze]

Really?? You think so? Well I guess we will find out tomorrow (pending weather)


yeah..most lenses stopped down are going to perform well..check it out:
http://camerablognetwork.com/

scroll down to where he tests the two against each other...


now if you want to go out in bad weather...there'd be a difference since the L is weather sealed(with a filter)...but your XSi is not, so i wouldn't try it:)

[LowSpark420]

You don't have to worry about that! ;)

[LowSpark420]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4432777852_83b2f6ed5a_b.jpg

Here is one result...took about 100 pictures so have to go through them all. Would love to hear thoughts or ways to improve.

[DreDaze]

what were your settings?...i feel like you are in real tight, and that there's more that i'm missing out on

[LowSpark420]

ISO 100 ~ 55mm ~ f/13 ~ 1/2 second

The reason for the close up of the rapids in that show was brush and stuff in the way for a wider view...

[LowSpark420]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4432121157_2964fe20c4_b.jpg

This was a little feeder stream into the river.