lens for alaskan trip

[matoriv]

Hi all,

probably going to alaska next yr september for a vacation.
will be hiking around and try to take pics of the northern lights.

I am using a d80 now and trying to reduce the number of lens to bring.

thinking of bring a 17-50mm f/2.8 and a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
but a friend suggested that i bring the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and an ultra wide lens like 12-24mm or a 16mm f/2.8 prime lens for the night shots...

anyone been to alaska and give some feedback?

Thanks.

 

[matoriv]

anyone can help?

 

[An drew]

You suggested setup is good.
A 17-50mm 2.8 usually produce very good quality images. A 70-300 is light and will give you the reach for wildlife if the opportunity arises.

A 18-200 (especially those with VR or OS) is also very good in terms of grabbing a shot under different situations, but the quality will be inferior to your 17-50.

Ultra-wide is only necessary if you want ultra-wide, otherwise 17mm should be sufficient. 16mm f2.8 is not particularly fast nor wide, so it is not versatile and I would give it a miss.

I typically travel with just an 18-200 but if I want better quality, I will also bring an f2.8 zoom. I might bring a prime or two if there is a special need, e.g. macro, low-light, birds, etc

 

[ArcticFox]

Same as above, A f2.8 zoom, perhaps a 70-200/80-200 f2.8. Also, bring along a prime lens. And, you shall be fine.

 

[matoriv]

thanks for the advice guys!

I have a 80-200mm f/2.8 (my dad's) but i think its too big and bulky to carry around.

wat kind of prime lens? 50mm f/1.8?

would a 17-50mm f/2.8 be sufficient to get in a good view of the northern lights or a 12-24mm would be significantly better?

 

[giantcanopy]

A wider zoom can take a greater expanse of the skies. I went through flickr and most of the first few are taken with lenses on the wider end on a 35mm format. I would bring along a 12-24mm ( but then again I have never taken these lights. )

Here are some articles regarding taking these awesome lights with several other tips other than the focal length to be used.

How to Photograph the Aurora Borealis - Northern lights

Photographing Northern Lights with Your Digital SLR

There is a great amount of data on capturing these lights on film media as well.

Ryan

 

[chalib]

would a 17-50mm f/2.8 be sufficient to get in a good view of the northern lights or a 12-24mm would be significantly better?

Faster lens is better..........

UWA or WA prime is preferred.

 

[matoriv]

cool, thanks for the links, giantcanopy!

really informative and helpful