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Ski Photography

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Flacker
Posts: 604 - Karma: 1,514
Yo guys I just got a sick new digital SLR and plan to do some shooting and filming this season but I'm stuck on what direction I should be going when it comes to lenses. So i figure i better ask you guys should i invest in a nice wide angle lens or focus more to a telephoto for those far away shots?

Nov 3 2011 12:42AM
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why
Posts: 2064 - Karma: 65
Media and Arts
Nov 3 2011 12:42AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,403
What lenses you should get are completely dependent on what your style of shooting is like. It is something you should figure out for your self at first, then ask for advice on specifics.
Nov 3 2011 12:51AM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
LOL, you didn't even tell us which DSLR you own, let alone which brand.
Nov 3 2011 12:52AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Both!

We don't care which one you choose. It's mainly what would you rather shoot with.

My only suggestion would be that you don't wanna cheap out on glass.
Nov 3 2011 1:07AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
http://theskiphotographer.com/category/ski-and-snowboard-photos-101/
Nov 3 2011 1:40AM
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SkiersRealm
Posts: 111 - Karma: 105

That's some truth right there.

Nov 3 2011 4:12PM
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Orrin
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 1,114
Camera name + specs would be useful...

It might be also useful to post in Media & Arts.
Nov 3 2011 4:49PM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,656
Well, if you're going for an either/or choice between wide-angle and telephoto, you're not going to be happy down the line because those are lenses with very specific uses.

The first lens you should have is something that covers a "normal" range, like 18-55. There are also some good lenses out now with a very large range, for example the Nikon 18-200mm. Now I'm not saying the optics are the best on a lens with such a big zoom, but if you're just looking to get ONE lens, you should consider something like that.

Just don't go out and buy a fisheye, or a telephoto, and think you've got your bases covered. Those are lenses that are great to have, but you're not going to use them all the time.
Nov 4 2011 5:35PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Best investment = Yellow filter.
Nov 4 2011 5:44PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Although I suppose you can probably just do that in photoshop now.
Nov 4 2011 5:44PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Do get most things done you need a wide (18-55) a fast standard prime (IE 50mm F1.8) and then a big zoom (70-200 or a 55-250). That will pretty much get you covered for most things, add a flash and your good.
Nov 4 2011 6:08PM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,656
Amen. My kit for a Nikon D90 looks like this right now:

10.5mm fisheye
35mm f/1.8 prime
70-200mm telephoto

I sold my 18-55mm and bought the 35mm prime for low-light shooting and the crispness of a prime lens. I definitely miss having a zoom in the middle range, but usually I can just take a few steps forward or backward - or crop the image if need be.

Nov 6 2011 8:04AM
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blakroc
Posts: 2323 - Karma: 28
tamron 17-50 2.8
Nov 6 2011 8:29AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Whatever you do, DO NOT GET THE 55-250. Hands down the WORST lens I've ever used.

In my opinion, the ideal setup is a wide angle (I like my tokina 11-16 a lot), 2 primes that cover that standard range (investing in a 35 f/2 and 50 f/1.4 very soon!) and then a nice tele zoom (nikon and canon both make a good version of the 70-200, but I believe nikon uses an 80-200). Unless you're using a $15k cine lens, there is no such thing a good "do-it-all" lens. You gotta buy multiple lenses that all serve different purposes, and if you want good glass, it will cost a solid $2k for everything. But in my opinion, the cost of good glass is worth it based on the output you get.

Hope that helps, I shoot video but I think it will transfer over to general photography well.
Nov 6 2011 2:48PM
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