rainforest photography

[Allmost]

Hello all,
what lens would u take to rainforest ?

I have a 100 mm macro, a regular 18-55 lens, and some extension tubes.

I wanted to get a zoom, 50-200mm I think, and the sales man told me that m macro would be just as good ?! and if I want something with more "zoom" I should go for a 500mm sigma lens.
SIGMA OS 150-500MM F5-6.3 CANON APO DG HSM

true ? or would u still take a zoom lens ? secondly, anyone used the sigma lens before ? its REALLY big and bulky, not sure how easy it would be to carry it around the forest.

thanks if you think of something else I might find usefull, please share

 

[Misled]

How you'll be traveling will have some baring on it, but I would want my macro, something long for birds and things and a nifty 50. This should keep things somewhat light for traveling and give you the ability to shoot pretty much anything.

 

[dputt88]

low aperature is important in the rainforest, its darker than you think.

 

[IPT]

Make sure you have a tripod! F stop won't matter really because hopefully you'll have overcast light and you will need a tripod for good shots. Dependng on the trail and where you'll be you'll want a pretty wide lens. Sometimes it's hard to get all you want in a scene without it. Also a Telephoto. Sometimes it's real nice to zoom out and compress stuff together off in the distance. It can a tricky place to shoot, but amazing as well.

I got some amazing images in the Hoh Rainforest years ago. Not one of my best ones but here is one I have my old website: http://www.greene-art.com/large_image_pages/northwest/northwest_3.html

 

[Allmost]

thank you everyone, amazing pics

I am going to look for a Zoom lens today.

 

[Allmost]

ha, you guys thought Im done asking questions lol

ok another question for macro experts.

I wanted to goto next level of macro, and also get an IS lens.

I was looking at teleconverters, 2x, and came to understanding that my 100MM macro is too short in focal lenght to be used with the teleconverter.

what would happen if I used extension tubes between the teleconverter and macro ? would I loose focus at infinity ?

if so, would be better off getting a 180mm IS lens, so I can use it with teleconverter too ?

second question, about Sigma lens, anyone used them ? the price is MUCH better than canon, does this mean quality of the glass is not as good ? is the difference noticable for my use ? [not printing posters or anything.]

I just dont want to buy a lens again and find out I dont have use for it or ....

like if I get the 180mm macro, then a 200 mm zoom lens would kinda be redundant right ? since it wont have much more reach than the macro ?

thirdly, anyone got a DIY instructions on how to reverse a lens ?

 

[Misled]

ha, you guys thought Im done asking questions lol

One could only hope!!!

I was looking at teleconverters, 2x, and came to understanding that my 100MM macro is too short in focal lenght to be used with the teleconverter.

That may be true, but I've used one with my 105 before, but see what is said below.

what would happen if I used extension tubes between the teleconverter and macro ? would I loose focus at infinity ?

Some aren't meant to be used that way and it's possible to damage the lens or the camera, or both.

if so, would be better off getting a 180mm IS lens, so I can use it with teleconverter too ?

I don't know bout Canon lenses, but you still need to research it. In Nikon some tele's work on some lenses and some don't.

second question, about Sigma lens, anyone used them ? the price is MUCH better than canon, does this mean quality of the glass is not as good ? is the difference noticable for my use ? [not printing posters or anything.

I just dont want to buy a lens again and find out I dont have use for it or ....

Some are fine, some suck. Be more specific on what lens you're talking about.

like if I get the 180mm macro, then a 200 mm zoom lens would kinda be redundant right ? since it wont have much more reach than the macro ?

Like, nope. You need to take your camera someplace and try the lenses to see the differences. There are also rental places you could use to help you make your choices.

thirdly, anyone got a DIY instructions on how to reverse a lens ?

Get a reversing ring.

 

[Patricklong]

I use a sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro DG....use it for almost everything from my Macro shots, to portraits and more and I love it...I would buy it again if this one was damaged.

 

[Alaskan]

2nd on the good quality tripod, I use mine alot in the woods around here. As for the macro 180 if you already have the 100mm macro than you should be covered for most macro work unless you are going to get really serious.

If you are looking for another longer lens something like the canon 70-200 f2.8L or the f4L to save a few bucks. They are a little pricer than alot of the regular canon or aftermarket lens but IMHO they are worth every extra penny.(and extra weight!! ) Then for the extra reach you can add on the 1.4x or 2x extenders and you only loose 2 f-stops. One other nice feature of the pro level lenses is they retain there value for a long time if well taken care of.

 

[Allmost]

you guys are the best

so I picked up a CANON EF-S 55-250MM 4-5.6 IS LENS, the price was REALLY good so couldnt pass ... the sharpness, not so much, but I also got them to let me try to take a pic with the sigma out side, and the noise it made tryign to focus just didnt work for me lol
plus it missed the tree I was taking pics of like 3 times ! canon was of course the better choice.

going to get a reversing ring online, the shops here dont carry it. but I tried holding the 18mm lens in reverse in front of my 68mm of extension tubes, and wow ! I think I got about 6-8 times magnification !!!