 BetterPhoto Member |
Lens and Film for Trip to Costa Rica Rainforest Going to Costa Rica in September, and I would like to know what film speed should I use with color and black and white? Also, what types of lenses would you recommend I carry. My camera is a Canon EOS Elan7e.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jeff S. Kennedy |
Without knowing what you want to photograph, how you want to photograph it, and what your style is I (or anyone else) could not possibly tell you what film and lenses you should use. There are just too many variables in the equation.
|
|
|
|
||
|
John A. Lind |
This is a question I've seen here and elsewhere. Jeff's right about too many variables related to your style and typical choice of subject material. These will answer your question more than the specific location of the photography. There's nothing about Costa Rica as a location (extreme weather or climate) that would affect film and equipment considerations. From a pro and semi-pro perspective, different film and new equipment are not something used the first time for "critical work" at a location that cannot be revisited easily, or an event that will not (cannot) be repeated. New equipment and film is used first with familiar, non-critical subject material to gain experience with it. Then it's incorporated into the photographer's style, methods and subject material with known capabilities and limitations. Think about what you normally use in equipment and film for the type of photography you would typically do away from home, indoor and outdoor. For quantity of film, what is your normal usage rate away from home on a trip or vacation? Then take a little extra. Ensure you have extra batteries for anything that requires them. -- John
|
|
|
|
||
|
Dave Richardson |
Surely the Question is Really: Wow, I'm going to Costa Rica soon! I don't know too much about the place. What sort of Fantastic Things will I see? What sort of advice can you wiser and more experienced photographers offer me to capture these Fantastic Things? Admittedly a quick Web Search would have answered a lot of these questions, so no points for expecting someone else to do the legwork.
|
|
|
|
||
|
John A. Lind |
Dave, I'm sorry you feel my response is sarcastic; it isn't. It's based on personal experience with incorporating new equipment and film into my photography for 25 years. Using new film and equipment in familiar locations with familiar subject material before relying on them for unfamiliar material in unfamiliar venues is a personal rule. I wouldn't have suggested it unless it's self-imposed, and 25 years of experience tells me it's an important one. My remarks were intended to give "fuzzy" the best probability for success, not to denigrate his question. The rationale behind my reply: Again, from my 2-1/2 decades of personal experience, there is nothing magical about any particular film being "better" or "best" for a specific geographic location. My film selection is based on what I do and the subject material I do it with, not what state or country it's done in. In the absence of "perfect information" I take what I would for anywhere else, for the type of photography I normally do when traveling. -- John
|
|
|
|
||
|
Dave Richardson |
John, Firstly an Apology. I didn't think your reply was sarcastic. I'm sorry if it came out that way. The question would have received a far more sarcastic response anywhere else on the internet. And my answer was sarcasm to the n-th degree. (I'm a Brit, we're naturally sarky.) My point was that 'fuzzy' should have done more research and asked some specific questions, then he'd have received some great answers. I'm going to ask a Hall of Shame candidate question soon, about a trip to Hawaii and Mexico. I'll go formulate a question (and think before I exercise my typing fingers). Dave
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Freeman |
Mmmm... I only have been a member here for less then an hour. What I have found is a great website until I noticed the "Hall of Shame" The shame is that a website can have a such a section. The first question was a typical one asked by a beginner. To have his or her question placed into a "hall of shame" is in my view not very nice. As the president of a local Camera club I get this type of question all the time and I try and help by asking more questions to obtain details on how I can help the person. NOT try and show them up as a fool or as a total beginner to poke fun at. And how does one know if a question has been asked before too many times? I guess at the time the person asked the question with good faith that someone would help in some way, not place their question into a "Hall of Shame" I wonder if the members that have questions here in this section still come back here or tell others about the website? ...Most likely not and thats a shame !!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Freeman |
And Im just tired and have had a bad day and to see this section on such a great website .. well I thought I would add my bit and let of some steam. :)
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bunny Snow |
Check out http://www.deepgreenphotography.com to see what this talented photographer used to do his amazing pictures of the Costa Rican rainforest. My pictures are nothing like his. Nor is my equipment, although this man really inspired me. He uses a Canon 10D, but had used film before. It depends what and how you want to photograph, as to what equipment you should take. Also, how much you want to carry. I took 100, 200, and 400 Provia slide film by Fugi --most of which was 100. I almost always used a tripod, except was when I was on the aerial tram over the rainforest. Be certain you take a lot of silicon gel for your equipment and film, to keep out the moisture. Also, take, or make a heavy duty camera raincoat. You'll need one with the fragile electronic Caon Elan. I made one for my Nikon FM3A (which is built like a tank). I used the lens hood as a hood and to keep the raincoat in place and the water away from the lens. I took a: I also took a Sekonic flash meter so I could measure my flash (and create lighting ratios), a long extension cord for my sync. (Which you won't need with Canon equipment, and I wouldn't have needed if I had a Nikon flash.) But my tripod was of critical importance. I needed something sturdy enough, yet light enough for me to carry, as I did not have a helper, and had plantar fasciaitis and no cartilage in my knee. Hence, I could not carry a heavy backpack full of equipment. I took UV and polarizing filters. Again, that's all I had. I now have 2 and 3 grad filters by Singh-ray. I had a need for them before, but didn't own any until after the Costa Rica trip. They would have come in very handy. Hence, this is what I did with what I had.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||