Lens for the Shard...

Bobsp

Bobsp

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We are going up the Shard in a few weeks to the viewing point. I have a 7d and the Mrs a 600D

We only have basic lens's, one is a 70-300 f4/5.6.

Does anybody have any suggestions on a good lens to hire, I am a bit concerned about the reflection on the glass as well.
Thanks
 
A nice wide angle lens so you can soak in all the landscape.

Polarizer but as the weather forecast stands you will need waterproof shell as opposed to somethung blocking out the sun.

Also if you are hiring, get a high powered tele with wide aperture so you can zoom into a building at distance - St Pauls/London bridge/London assembly/the roof of the dome etc and isolate them :). You need something that's more than 300mm maybe as long as 500mm.

One of you should be in charge of doing the distance shot and the other doing the wife angle to save time and the hassel of swapping lens in and out.

If you are going during the golden hours. Ie dusk, then bring a 10 stop filter for some long exposure shots down the river as there will be some cool effects from the lights of the car as well as the river boats. So a tripod will be required.
 
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Thanks guys, suggestions noted and I will look into maybe a couple of lens's. Going at noon..

Tripods not allowed???? Really, we have every intention of taking ours...
 
The Mrs isn't too happy about that. We are going to call tomorrow and see what they have to say. Might not bother if that's the case...
 
You could try looking on flickr at shots taken from where you going and see what lens they used perhaps? a lot of places can be funny about tripods sadly, health and safty issues they have, hope you get some decent shots either way
 
Haha H&S. I think they are probably afraid that you are doing recon work for the terrorists ;)
 
4737carlin said:
You could try looking on flickr at shots taken from where you going and see what lens they used perhaps? a lot of places can be funny about tripods sadly, health and safty issues they have, hope you get some decent shots either way
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The Shard isn't open yet (Feb 1st).

Am watching with interest, I think it'd be an interesting place to shoot from, not as dramatic as the skyscrapers in NYC though :)
 
I wonder with a wide angle lens you would end up being disappointed as you would have such a large part of London in your picture the landmarks would be tiny and so not have any impact. I would be considering using a lens of not more than 18mm on a crop body and I think that a standard or short telephoto would work for the view shots. Plus a long telephoto to pick details or individual buildings.

If you are not going to be up there on the opening day I would say look at the shots posted on Flickr
 
Craft said:
The Shard isn't open yet (Feb 1st).

Am watching with interest, I think it'd be an interesting place to shoot from, not as dramatic as the skyscrapers in NYC though :)
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It has been open for previews for weeks - thousands of people have gone up.

No tripods is pretty common in many high buildings with viewing platforms, not great but there we are.
 
To be fair tripods would get in the way of other people, block views and spoil their enjoyment! If I was a tourist a gaggle of togs with big lenses and tripods would get in the way!
 
I will take my monopod as well, can't see that getting in the way, it fits in my bag as well.
 
According to t&c's on website monopods aren't allowed either. An airport style scanner will no doubt spoil the fun!
 
huffy said:
I wonder with a wide angle lens you would end up being disappointed as you would have such a large part of London in your picture the landmarks would be tiny and so not have any impact. I would be considering using a lens of not more than 18mm on a crop body and I think that a standard or short telephoto would work for the view shots. Plus a long telephoto to pick details or individual buildings.

If you are not going to be up there on the opening day I would say look at the shots posted on Flickr
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London Headshots said:
Wide angle will be a bad idea. It'll push way too much of the image away.
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I agree. Other than a few "ooh look, we're in The Shard" shots, telephoto will be the way forward.
 
Rather than a tri/mono pod, seek out a Pod - a beanbag with a tripod screw on it. can be used with a compact or bridge as freestanding or with an SLR, the camera can be held down onto it to stop it tipping.

Don't try to slip anything past security - you're unlikely to get away with it and could prejudice them even more against photographers!
 
to get round the no tripods rule you might like to try one of the mini stands - like this little manfrotto one I use:


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It can hold a reasonable size lens - above shows it on an 80-200/2.8 - ideally you'd find a shelf or table to use it on. Because it folds up you can leave it on the camera when going through any security checks.
 
Totally agree about all the comments regarding using a mid range telephoto, we spent some time earlier in the year in Paris and I took loads of shots from the top of the Eiffel tower and al my favourites were taken with a telephoto lens like the one below!


The Louvre by a1ex2001, on Flickr

Can't believe people are surprised by the no tripods rule, it's been the same on every tal building I've been up and is incredbily common in tourist hot spots all over the world just keep you shutter speed up and enjoy yourself.
 
you can take tripods up Eiffel tower. when I was there last time, thinking you can't, there were loads people with tripods.
 
Yes you can take tripods up the Eiffel Tower, my boss was up there a few months ago with his, he got some great pics....
 
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The whole point is to do the shoot at around dusk when the place lits up, and perhaps the Golden hour for more dramatic natural light view. No tripod kills that completely so IMHO that constitutes both a waste of time and money.
No commercial use btw, so guess who isn't going
 
Bobsp said:
Yes you can take tripods up the Eiffel Tower, my boss was up there a few months ago with his, he got some great pics....
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I had assumed tripods were banned as they are everywhere else and I didn't see any up there, but a quick check of the website doesn't show them on the banned list although it was so busy when we were there I'm not sure you would have got one setup!
 
And, yes, that's over-processed. :-)

Tbh, dirty windows are the real problem. Take a cloth!
 
Having been up on the London Eye quite a bit i find a rubber lens hood can be helpful for shooting through glass. These only cost about £5 and when pressed against the glass will cut out all reflections (more or less).

I cant see why no tripod is a issue for some though, unless you are planning on doing long exposures.

As for lens, i'd take a 15-85IS with me if i still had it. That way you can get both wide and mid range from it, but thats just me.
 
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dave_bass5 said:
Have fun and be sure to post some shots. I can tell you its pretty cloudy here in central London at the moment, although they are blowing over so might be gone by this afternoon, but IMO clouds make for interesting skies so maybe not a bad thing.
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Had a great time there. The predicted weather didn't materialise and although it was variable the light was quite good.
The 70-200 was a good choice, thanks for the advice here.
Photos in this thread:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=5341458#post5341458
 
Yeah, the weather was on your side today.

The shots look great. I think we've all seen the London landmarks shot from the same directions so many times, its nice seeing a new perspective on them.
I cant wait to get up there myself. Personally i'd prefer a dull day, so might go sooner rather than later.
 
dave_bass5 said:
Yeah, the weather was on your side today.

The shots look great. I think we've all seen the London landmarks shot from the same directions so many times, its nice seeing a new perspective on them.
I cant wait to get up there myself. Personally i'd prefer a dull day, so might go sooner rather than later.
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You'll enjoy it I'm sure, the 5DIII will be outstanding up there.
 
Dave, if you decide to go on a Monday and before the 24th, let me know and we can go together =) Bought my father in law a 100-400L but it goes to china on the 24th :p
 
Chee said:
Dave, if you decide to go on a Monday and before the 24th, let me know and we can go together =) Bought my father in law a 100-400L but it goes to china on the 24th :p
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Unfortunately i wont be able to go until at least next month, probably more like April. Ive promised a mate who is laid up with a plaster cast on that ill wait for him to be able to go.
 
Guys, could somebody who has already been there describe how photo-friendly conditions are there?

So far we know that we can't bring tripods. That's unfortunate.

Is there a glass or something or it is open? How difficult is to get unobstructed view?
 
You're surrounded by glass at all times and the glass is not totally clean, there are some streaks to be seen. Of course you also have to contend with reflections.

Having said that, although it was busy there were plenty chances to get an unobstructed view to take shots.
 
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