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thoramay

If you like I could send you some books on landscapes but only to borrow and i'm sure you would take good care of them (I'm a bit a**l about looking after books)

Last week I cut up one of my magazine for a forum member to scan and it went against every fibre in my body

James

MarkD. You have me drooling(but I hate whisky). The scenery should be a spiritual experience for me. How wide a wide angle would you suggest?
I have a few weeks yet and would be interested in a wide angle lens if not too expensive. I can take several lens with me and choose which from the car. It will be such a challenge.
I, too, have problems with the Tamrom 70-300. I would be interested in experimenting with ND filters but have no experience of these and would welcome guidance. Should I take my A50mm. 1.7 standard lens. I seem to be asking stupid questions. Bear with me please. I am so determined to get it right and left with no excuses.
regards Thoramay.

Your kit lens will be wide enough. Really wide angle lenses need practice to get good landscapes. If you don't have enough foreground with them they result in odd photos imho. I have the Sigma 10-20, but I really don't like it for landscapes.
Maybe you should consider the Pentax 50-300 to complement the kit lens if you can afford it. You then have a really good range for your holiday in just two lenses. You don't want to be constantly having to change lenses - it gets to be a pain after a while and you miss shots.
I never take my A50 1.7 away with me. I try to travel light, even when I go by car.

Try to get an ND grad so you can use it to save blowing skies, and for sunsets.

Have a look at www.luminous-landscape.com for lots of useful advice on filters and all sorts of stuff (and a lot of not so useful advice too :roll. The tutorials and techniques sections are pretty good. The Understanding section explains things like filters well.

I have not had my hands on anything in the 10-20 range but have seen some amazing results using them. After using my DA16-45 I will never go back to the kit lens, everything was brighter, sharper and those really dramatic skies are amazing.

Followwing advice, I have been looking at the 55-300 lens. The DA-L version can be bought for a huge premium to the DA version. I know that the L version has a plastic fitting and no hood. Is the lens itself comparable? I shall not use this lens much after the holiday and am thinking that, perhaps, the plastic mount would not be an issue. Has anyone experience of these lens, please

Thoramay,

I'm limited in what I can physically carry weightwise - 2 bad elbow injuries in the past with resultanlt nerve damage in both arms.

Gartmore was very helpful to me before I actually bought my camera - and let my try his with various lenses on. I found that his 50-300 was markedly heavy for me - the weight was very obvious and I realised that it could well give me problems.

I bought my K-x with just the 18-55 DA L and now have a Samsung 50-200 . I've used the Samsung and can cope with it without problems.

Is there anywhere you can actually go and try the lenses you are interested in and see if they are possible for your circumstances ?

Yes, I recently got a DA L 55-300 and it's really good. It almost certainly has the same glass as the more expensive version.

It is worth getting a hood for shading and protection. This one suits and is cheaper than the usual: http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/2301/Pentax-PH-RBH-58mm-Lens-Hood.html - free post to forum members (mention in comments box when ordering). Failing that, at least get a 58mm rubber screw-on hood from eBay.

Thanks for the comments. I am now experimenting with my 100-300 FA lens coupled with my 1.7 adapter. The acid test will be tomorrow in daylight. If I am happy it could leave me cash to go for the 16-45.
regards thoramay.

It would off been nice to of had a reply

James

Early on you said you mainly did macro and close up. I would keep half an eye on possibilities along those lines too as well as experimenting with more classic landscape shots. It is always good to build on what you are good at as well as trying new things. With landscapes, try and make sure there is something of interest in the foreground as well as the 'wow' of the big view. Dull featureless foregrounds generally kill landscape shots.

If you are planning to use your tripod --- a good plan in my view but it is a personal thing --- one of those little hotshoe mounted spirit levels are really worth the hassle/money. Nothing more annoying to find that in straightening the image you crop something you wanted to keep in the shot!

Most of all, have fun! My best pictures have always been when I am relaxed and am quietly enjoying taking photos.

K.

The Ring of Kerry is gods country, it's where my wife comes from. Not all of it, but Cahirciveen.

The last time we were there we drove from Dublin to Kerry and then anti clockwise around the coast.
The only lens I owned at the time was the kit 18-55 and that gave me some great memories.

James. I truely apologise. I did reply, honest, but I must have failed to hit the correct button because I see that it isn't there. That is careless and I am kicking myself for not checking. I have been given a video to watch on landscapes, so thanks for your very kind offer.
regards thoramay.

well if you need them they are as follows

Michael freeman: mastering hdr photography
Michael freeman: the complete guide to night and low light digital photography
The digital slr expert landscapes essential advice from top pros
John freeman: the photographers guide to landscapes
John freeman: The photographers guide to light
Ross Hoddinott :the digital photographer's guild to filters
David Noton: waiting for the light

Just some of the books I have


James

Kris. Thanks for the advice. I am new to landscapes. From what I have been researching I do understand that the horizon should be level. I have a bubble indicator on my tripod but have never seen the point of it, until now.
I am toying between taking the Tamron with macro facility as apposed to the Tamron 90mm macro. I guess that all the advice will not prepare me fully for the opportunities I will have.
I would suspect that the landscape shots will be memory shots rather than fitting into the technical aspects. It will be the unusual, the unfamiliar that I will mainly go for. Sea birds, flowers, unusual buildings and the natives, of course, and maybe a bar or two.
I live within five miles of sea but the coastline cannot be claimed to be inspiring, very different to the coast that I will be visiting.
It is a challenge and maybe the last real holiday. My mobility is a limiting factor. I could purchase new lens if needed. I just have to bear in mind that any purchase will be just for this one holiday. I am just grateful for all the advice that has been offered.
regards Thoramay.

Thoramay, do not underestimate your kit lens. It's close focussing is wonderful and you can get some great close up shots with it. If carrying a macro lens isn't a problem then you could take it, as there will be opportunities to use it.
We didn't get as far as the Ring of Kerry last August - we drove the Beara Head instead, which was just stunning.

I wouldn't fret too much about what kit you take. in my experience you always have too much stuff but have still managed to leave at home the one lens you need .

Have a wonderful time in Ireland. Don't spend all your time looking at it through a camera. Enjoy the scenery, the pubs and the music and the people. They really are so friendly and helpful.

We shall look forward to seeing a couple of shots when you return.