Best lens for Norway

[old timer]

I will be traveling to Norway this fall and want to limit my luggage; I will be taking my 40D, flash, and my 70-200 IS. What are your suggestions for for a wider lens, One possability is the Sigma 17-50 2.8. Thanks folks...

[RPCrowe]

I will be traveling to Norway this fall and want to limit my luggage; I will be taking my 40D, flash, and my 70-200 IS. What are your suggestions for for a wider lens, One possibility is the Sigma 17-50 2.8. Thanks folks...

My travel lens duo is the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS. I use these on two bodies (30D and 40D) and have met very few travel occasions where I cannot obtain the imagery I desire with either of these two lenses. Two venues where I would need another lens are macro (which I seldom do when traveling) and extreme range wildlife photography (which is not normally a part of my general travel photography).

If I need a wider image than that which the 17mm (28mm equivalent) provides a quick hand-held pano of a couple of frames will suffice (see Beijing "Birdcage" image).

The 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens by virtue of its constant f/2.8 aperture and IS capability is quite a good low light glass (see hand-held night shot of Hong Kong Harbor).

The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC appears to be a much lower priced version of the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens which costs about half that of the Canon.

I would recommend adding a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro ( www.dembflashproducts.com ) to your kit. IMO, this is the very best diffuser/reflector on the market today and doesn't cost a king's ransom.

Addditionally, a CPL filter is a great addition to any travel photo kit.

[old timer]

Thanks so much for the reply. And the tip on the diffuser. have a good day:D

[scotthidley]

I just ordered a 17-40 for my 5D as I struggled with 24 in the fjords before. The lenses listed above are decent on a crop body for around town. But if you're going to the fjords you might want to consider a 10-22. Most of the time in Norway I've shot wider than longer with my 24-105 being my primary lens. I'm not sure what towns you're going to. You can look around the towns I shot to see if any of those suit your interest. The exifs should be intact.

www.assortedpixels.net/travel/no

Edit, if you're shooting outdoors, the sun is up a few hours more than in the US. That means you can make due longer with a slower lens and also the golden hour can actually last much much longer.

[Ingardj]

You need a wide angle more then anything. I wouldnt bother with any flashes.. Take a tripod instead. :D

[Mike]

I'd go with an ultra wide angle too - have a look at Sigma 10-20mm lens, a really nice lens that doesn't cost the earth. Of course, if you go with just that and the 70-200 you will have nothing between 20-70mm so may want to think about whether you are bothered by such a gap in your range.

[Marius B]

Which parts of Norway are you visiting?

[old timer]

scottthidley
Oslo and Bergan for sure.. Your pictures are great.. neil

[ThomasEd]

I would definitely have an ultra-wide as otherwise you will get frustrated at not being able to fit everything in when you are in the fjord areas on the west coast. I use a Sigma 10-22, and the sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.4 and find this a good lens combo. If you are here in the fall, then you will get the beautiful fall colours, but also plenty of rain so protect your kit against the weather. I live in Bergen, so if you need any tips on where to go or what to see let me know. Here are a few pics from around Bergen.

http://thomasedwards.smugmug.com/Other/Bergen/Fana1/791992684_wRU4u-L.jpg

http://thomasedwards.smugmug.com/Nature/Hordaland/FanaFjell3/681905053_JCAmY-L.jpg

http://thomasedwards.smugmug.com/Other/Bergen/IMG7996/538710915_6gTSC-L.jpg

http://thomasedwards.smugmug.com/Nature/Hordaland/empty/681898846_c5hf6-L.jpg

[old timer]

Thomas ed thats for the reply we will be in Bergen in early to mid October so I am assuming warm clothes and a rain coat. Thanks for the lens suggestions. I am going to look into the sigma ulta wide. Have a good day...

[Marius B]

Things to see in Oslo http://www.visitnorway.com/

Opera house
website: http://www.operaen.no/Default.aspx?ID=27237
picture from flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/4840429336/

Holmenkollen ski jump (build 2009)
website: http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Articles/Theme/What-to-do/Attractions/Holmenkollen/
Picture from flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rennyba/4405215006/

Vigelandsparken
website: http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en/vigeland-park
Picture from flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/juanjofotos/4528242717/
Specially Sinnataggen (angry kid)
Picture from flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racingsquirrel/103455042/

[old timer]

Thanks Marius B.

[ThomasEd]

Thomas ed thats for the reply we will be in Bergen in early to mid October so I am assuming warm clothes and a rain coat. Thanks for the lens suggestions. I am going to look into the sigma ulta wide. Have a good day...

October can definitely be wet (as can any time here), so don't go anywhere without a rain coat. We very easily get all four seasons in a day, and it is not unusual at all. October can be a varied mix, and will probably be colder to what you are used to. Usually 10-15 degress centigrade would be normal, and probably not much colder until December. I guess it would be similar to the weather of the Alaskan coast at that time of year. As we say here "no bad weather, just bad clothes" - it sounds better in Norwegian! Your best scenery bang for buck though, would be to get on a boat and then you stay dry as well. Check out "Norway in a nutshell" and look at the boat trips. Many of the tourist ones will have stopped by then, but the coast is a huge network of small fast boats that operate year round. Check fjord1.no, as they are one of the main companies running all over the coast. You can make a nice day trip by just hopping on some regular passenger boats instead of the tourist ones. There are so many beautiful places all around this country, so you will have a treat whatever the weather, and very often the weather just enhances the scenery in my view.

[old timer]

Well I am starting to get things ready for my October 6 departure. We will go to Bergan and then Oslo (Sandvika). I have decided on a Sigma 10-20 and my canon 24-105. Thanks to all for your help. neil

[ObiDamnKenobi]

As a native Norwegian (currently in the US) I'll echo the wide angle suggestions. I've been home a few times the last few years and used mainly wide-normal lenses. Got some interesting landscapes with the 70-200, but hardly used it enough to justify the weight. I think your 10-20 and 24-105 will work great.

I'd also strongly suggest checking out the Opera house in Oslo! You don't need to sign up for a tour or anything (although you can), just go down and walk around (and on top of!) the building. At sunset I imagine you could get some great shots there. If you're there before they close entry to the lobby is free (at least is was when I was there 2 years ago).

Have a good trip!

[scotthidley]

I was in Oslo on Monday and the leaves are just starting to change. The Fortress is a good place to see some, and the museum area (Viking Ship, Tiki,...)can be good as well. You should stop in the National Art Museum as it has free admission.

In Bergen, be sure to take the cable car to the top of the hill/mountain. There are lots of trails up there, so it's a good idea to bring some snacks / drinks. Also try to find some fjords between visiting Bergen and Oslo as those are much more impressive than either town.

[old timer]

Thanks for the information Scotthidley. I am getting excited to get there.. neil

[Marius B]

Henie Onstad senter is an art gallery/museum close to Sandvika
http://www.hok.no/index.php?id=4661015

[old timer]

Thanks Marius... neil

[old timer]

I am in Bergen and all I can say is WOW thanks for the good advice on a wide angle lens. weather is great and I can't stop taking images. neil

[scotthidley]

Ask the hotel reception for additional sight seeing ideas. They will be able to tell you if there are any good ferry tours to take etc,... If you have a car, there's a Stave church nearby too.

[old timer]

My thanks to everyone for their help. I just returned and the lens worked out fine and the trip was Great.... Now to go through the images... neil