Lens for Snow, Skiing & Snowboarding

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mameemonsters

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Hi everyone,

I'll be going for a skiing & snowboarding trip in Aviemore with my friends this weekend. I'm a beginner photographer, I don't have any specific style of shooting to be honest. So, I'm looking forward to take pictures of the landscape of the area and also snowbaorders or skiers in action. As I've never tried taking any photos of this kind of activities before, I'd like to ask which lens should I use with my Canon 40D to get the best out of the trip. These are the only lenses that I have, so basicall can you guys tell me which one (or maybe two) should I bring along with me?

1. Canon 50mm f1.8
2. Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6
3. Sigma 70-300mm APO DG f4-5.6

Many thanks :)
 
I would imagine that you will need the 70-300mm zoom for the skiers and boarders as I doubt that you will trust them enough to get close enough to use wither of the other two lenses.

For the landscapes, again the 70-300mm will allow you focus on an area of interest compared to an overall panorama.

Cheers,

Graham
 
Can't claim to know anything about Canon lenses, but on my Nikon I take my 18-200. It's not the best lens in the world (though it did capture my top shot in Flickr, which made it to Explore also. A skiing shot too), but it's fine enough as a lightweight all rounder that avoids having to swap lenses on the slopes. A little backpack with a bit of padding to put the camera and other little bits in and I get around fine. I'm so used to carrying the thing now it feels wrong to not have it with me :D.

Before I had the 18-200 I was carrying the stock 18-70 (a very good lens actually for what it is), and a 70-300. Both fairly lightweight.

Of what you've got the 10-20 would be great for the landscapes and the 70-300 for the action shots. Probably not much use for the 50 except around the town, portraits, etc. Fast lens but not long enough for the action shots.


Just remember to swing the backpack round to your front when you get on the chair lifts! (seriously, people either fall off because they are pushed too far forward or get the straps caught in the lift when they get off!). Though do they have chair lifts in Scotland? :D ;)
 
deffo take the Sigma 10-20, should be great for panoramic shots of the moutain tops!! :)
i dont suppose the nifty would be much use but if you've got space, then why not?
 
jerry12953 said:
Don't forget to add about 1.5 stops for a snowy scene, as the meter in your camera will underexpose. It will "think" the snow is grey.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I find it's rarely a problem these days. At least with my Nikon. I think the metering has got a lot better. It depends though. Sometimes it underexposes, quite often not though, but depends on the light conditions. If I adjust on camera I'll often end up blowing it as the camera got it right anyway. Bracketting may be worth it just in case, or you can just adjust post-process (more so if you shoot raw).

Biggest issue I find is the blue cast from the sky if it's a sunny day. Adjustable post process though.
 
jerry12953 said:
Don't forget to add about 1.5 stops for a snowy scene, as the meter in your camera will underexpose. It will "think" the snow is grey.
Click to expand...

Always had to add to the EV on my 40D. Keep an eye on it !
I'd be taking all three with me. Siggy for the breathtaking views, zoom for action and the nifty as a walk around. I'd imagine sunsets over the mountains would be great. Find somewhere to rest the camera for long exposures. If you don't have a cable or remote shutter release you could always use the self timer. This wil avoid any shake when you press the shutter. WISH I WAS THERE !! ENJOY and don't forget to post some of the results.
 
Also try to get a polarising filter for the 10-20 it will make the blue skies that you are bound to get in Scotland (who am I kidding) look that much more dramatic - some people hate the effect on a super wide angle, but I like it.
 
I was in Andorra a couple of weeks ago with my 40D

I took
50 1.8
17-85
70-200

my most used lens was the 17-85 because it covered such a wide variety.

the 50mm was used for portraits/facebook profile pics on the top of the mountains and the wide was used for pano shots.

i used the 70-200 a little but found there would always be people getting in the way of the shot if your subject is that far away.

remember to get a well padded bag, and i loosened my one so that when i fell the bag would ride up my back and my weight wouldnt fall on it.
 
50mm - smaller, lighter and less likely to get damaged in a fall.

I take my 80-200mm, 12-24 and mid-range zoom (was an 18-70mm before I moved to Tamron) and although you have a lot of options, carrying that much gear not only adds weight, you will be constantly be worried about a fall with all that gear. That fear goes after a few days but by then your trip will be over.

I say take a camera but enjoy the snowsports without too many distraction...
 
thanks guys for all the replies, really appreciate them..I think I'll just bring my 10-20mm and 50mm..Since it's my 1st time skiing, I think it's kinda risky to bring a telephoto lens and shoot people in action, maybe I'll try that next time. For this trip, I'll just take random shots using the 50mm and maybe some landscape shots too using the 10-20mm.

Thanks again for all your feedbacks! Have a great weekend! :)
 
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