Lenses for Skomer

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

Hi Folks,

I am looking at doing a 10 day stint at Skomer with 3 days hopefully on the Island depending on avilability - golden hour on the Island looks insane... I want to do a mixture of video and photos but I am arguing with myself which lenses to rent/buy - so I can start budgeting and saving.

Anyone that's been, what are your views on the below?

I was thinking of investing/buying/renting :-

Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS USM

Who doesn't want an obscenely long telephoto lens. I have seen youtube videos where the puffins do get quite close, is this focal length needed? 1.6x crop so it's 800mm.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM

I think this is pretty much the god of all usable telephoto lenses right? Worth putting money into a decent second hand one, rather than the above??

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro USM

I do want to venture into Macro but I also want to go to Thailand in a few years to photograph reptiles.

I already plan to take and own:

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens.
Canon EF-S 10-18mm
Canon EF 24-105mm L

Camera wise I am going to photograph on my Canon EOS 80D and film on my Canon EOS M50mkii.

Thanks in advanced.

#allthegearnoidea

GeeJay57 · 24 Dec 2022

I took my 7Dii, EF-S 15-85mm, EF 100-400mm II and an EF 1.4x III TC (didn’t use that much) to Zambia in 2017 and Costa Rica in 2020. Covered everything I needed. Left my EF 100 f/2.8 IS L Macro at home for both trips, didn’t miss it to be honest.

Used the 7Dii and 100-400mm for a day trip to the Farne Islands a few years ago and was quite happy. But, I would have liked a crack with a super telephoto like the 500mm f/4 as well, so would consider hiring one for a 3-day trip.

gramps · 24 Dec 2022

JDP said:
I already plan to take and own:

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens.

Canon EF-S 10-18mm

Canon EF 24-105mm L

That'll do you for Skomer really, on my last visit I took a 24-120 & 70-200 ... they do come close. )

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

GeeJay57 said:
I took my 7Dii, EF-S 15-85mm, EF 100-400mm II and an EF 1.4x III TC (didn’t use that much) to Zambia in 2017 and Costa Rica in 2020. Covered everything I needed. Left my EF 100 f/2.8 IS L Macro at home for both trips, didn’t miss it to be honest.

Used the 7Dii and 100-400mm for a day trip to the Farne Islands a few years ago and was quite happy. But, I would have liked a crack with a super telephoto like the 500mm f/4 as well, so would consider hiring one for a 3-day trip.

That's awesome, I completely forgot about TC's. Zambia and Costa Rica sound like an insane experence. Do you find the 100 macro useful for really only macroesque shots? When I was doing my research for Thailand reptile photography they mentioned that due to it's insane sharpness and a wide angle lens to get nicely composed images.

That's awesome, the 100-400mm sounds like the best all rounder really then? The super tele does sound fun, and I'd rent it for the whole 10 days but that would be £500ish. Not sure how I will post it back to them if I am doing 10 days. I guess I could find a post office in Wales, I am sure there's one - Right? haha.

Thank you

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

gramps said:
That'll do you for Skomer really, on my last visit I took a 24-120 & 70-200 ... they do come close. )

Really? that's awesome, thank you. How did you find the 200mm? I forgot about my 70-200mm lens...
Would the 500mm just be really annoying due to how close they get then? more for shooting the Puffins at Bempton?

Thanks mate!

gramps · 24 Dec 2022

JDP said:
Really? that's awesome, thank you. How did you find the 200mm? I forgot about my 70-200mm lens...
Would the 500mm just be really annoying due to how close they get then? more for shooting the Puffins at Bempton?

Thanks mate!

500mm for the Bempton would be good, there’s some great close ups to be had as well as flight shots.
When I was on Skomer I has Puffins crossing my path, in effect telling me to get out of the way!

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

gramps said:
500mm for the Bempton would be good, there’s some great close ups to be had as well as flight shots.
When I was on Skomer I has Puffins crossing my path, in effect telling me to get out of the way!

Legend, thank you mate. I will hold fire with the 500mm lens then and do some more research as I saw there's a post office in Marloes where I plan to get the Airbnb. The 100-400mm is still tempting though, I am not going to lie. Especially as there's a decent one on MPB.

Bempton is a great place too. But thanks you!

and that sounds incredible haha - I love it when wildlife has the balls to tell us to get out the way. They are such bumbling little sweet birds.

My Grandad gave me his Canon AE-1 before he died, which has a few 200mm telephoto lenses, so I need to remember to get some film for that! Be interesting to see how that comes out / remember how to use film.

rob-nikon · 24 Dec 2022

With what you already own I’d suggest a 70-200 or maybe a 100-400 just to be more versatile. I definitely wouldn’t take a 500mm f4 lens. I was staying on Skomer whilst a photography tour group was there too. A lady in the group had hired a 500mm f4 and it was the mostly useless as it’s far too big for puffin shots. It may be more useful for in flight puffins further back or photographing the little owls if you can find them, but for Skomer it’s not worth the hire cost.

The main area you’re photographing at will likely be the wick. There’s a 1.5 to 2 foot wide path area you have access to. All other areas are out of bounds due to puffin burrows. You will very likely be laying on the ground to get to a puffins head height otherwise you’re photographing them looking downwards which isn’t a great perspective. Once a few photographers get together on the Wick there isn’t much room to swing around big lenses.

I’ve stayed on Skomer a few times and it’s a great experience. I’d definitely recommend going out early hours to hear thd manx shearwaters come back in. That’s a great experience.

If I was going again I’d probably take a 24-105 f4 and 70-200 f4 as my main lenses. I have a 100-500 so I’d take that too as I already have it and it’s not a huge lens to fit in the bag. The longer focal length would be good for boating puffins or the owls but most photography is done at the wick close up. The puffins will be feet away from you, or even standing on you if you’re not careful! It’s literally like shooting puffins in a barrel at sunset on the wick. There are hundreds of them everywhere you look!

Most of the photos I took in the link below would have been between 24mm to 300mm with a mixture of 24-105, 70-200, 300mm prime lens.

Rob Cain- Wildlife & Landscape Photography - Atlantic Puffins: Skomer Island

robcain.photography

Stays on Skomer get booked up pretty fast. Booking usually opening at the start of October for members and the best weeks usually get booked up in hours. If you’ve not booked yet for this year I’d definitely get that done asap.

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

rob-nikon said:
With what you already own I’d suggest a 70-200 or maybe a 100-400 just to be more versatile. I definitely wouldn’t take a 500mm f4 lens. I was staying on Skomer whilst a photography tour group was there too. A lady in the group had hired a 500mm f4 and it was the mostly useless as it’s far too big for puffin shots. It may be more useful for in flight puffins further back or photographing the little owls if you can find them, but for Skomer it’s not worth the hire cost.

The main area you’re photographing at will likely be the wick. There’s a 1.5 to 2 foot wide path area you have access to. All other areas are out of bounds due to puffin burrows. You will very likely be laying on the ground to get to a puffins head height otherwise you’re photographing them looking downwards which isn’t a great perspective. Once a few photographers get together on the Wick there isn’t much room to swing around big lenses.

I’ve stayed on Skomer a few times and it’s a great experience. I’d definitely recommend going out early hours to hear thd manx shearwaters come back in. That’s a great experience.

If I was going again I’d probably take a 24-105 f4 and 70-200 f4 as my main lenses. I have a 100-500 so I’d take that too as I already have it and it’s not a huge lens to fit in the bag. The longer focal length would be good for boating puffins or the owls but most photography is done at the wick close up. The puffins will be feet away from you, or even standing on you if you’re not careful! It’s literally like shooting puffins in a barrel at sunset on the wick. There are hundreds of them everywhere you look!

Most of the photos I took in the link below would have been between 24mm to 300mm with a mixture of 24-105, 70-200, 300mm prime lens.

Rob Cain- Wildlife & Landscape Photography - Atlantic Puffins: Skomer Island

Wildlife and Landscape Photography by Bedfordshire based photographer Rob Cain. All images Copyright © Rob Cain Photography 2018

robcain.photography

Stays on Skomer get booked up pretty fast. Booking usually opening at the start of October for members and the best weeks usually get booked up in hours. If you’ve not booked yet for this year I’d definitely get that done asap.

Thank you for that detailed low down. I guess the 500mm was tempting because I can afford one right now .... but the 100-400 sounds good especially as the versilitiy! I can also squeeze in a decent ND filter set too.

I am loving the sound of the wick, it'd be an honour to get pooed on by one!

Your photos are amazing, a great insperation thank you so much for sharing!

That's a really good point about staying on Skomer, I have emailed them but (quite rightly) they're now off for Christmas until the 3rd so hopefully I can get something in June. At least the boat trips are regular and appear not to be too booked up as of yet. But if I miss it next year, then I can just book for the year after, not like they are going anywhere!. I live in Sussex so it's not even that far!

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

Also, the 100-400 will act as a 160-640mm as I have a 1.6x crop frame on the 80D

rob-nikon · 24 Dec 2022

JDP said:
Thank you for that detailed low down. I guess the 500mm was tempting because I can afford one right now .... but the 100-400 sounds good especially as the versilitiy! I can also squeeze in a decent ND filter set too.

I am loving the sound of the wick, it'd be an honour to get pooed on by one!

Your photos are amazing, a great insperation thank you so much for sharing!

That's a really good point about staying on Skomer, I have emailed them but (quite rightly) they're now off for Christmas until the 3rd so hopefully I can get something in June. At least the boat trips are regular and appear not to be too booked up as of yet.

The biggest problems I encountered were the puffins getting so close that the lens wouldn’t focus due to them being within minimum focus distance! The other other was trying to isolate a puffin without another being in the background.

I’ve not kept up to date on skomer booking this year. I gather 2023 will be the first recent year of new booking as the island was closed to overnight stays in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID and 2022 was mainly a backlog of 2020 bookings moved forward. It could be pretty busy as no one has really had a chance to book stays since 2019.

I gather day boats are now booked online in advance. That’s a much better system. Pre COVID it was a case of getting there really early and queuing for tickets. There would often be a big queue by 6-7am.

JDP · 24 Dec 2022

rob-nikon said:
The biggest problems I encountered were the puffins getting so close that the lens wouldn’t focus due to them being within minimum focus distance! The other other was trying to isolate a puffin without another being in the background.

I’ve not kept up to date on skomer booking this year. I gather 2023 will be the first recent year of new booking as the island was closed to overnight stays in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID and 2022 was mainly a backlog of 2020 bookings moved forward. It could be pretty busy as no one has really had a chance to book stays since 2019.

I gather day boats are now booked online in advance. That’s a much better system. Pre COVID it was a case of getting there really early and queuing for tickets. There would often be a big queue by 6-7am.

Something to think about then! Maybe sticking an extention tube would help? Albeit deteriate quality. It does sound like a fun trip - I have 10 days so plenty of time to get it right (as long as weather holds, im hoping it'll be OK in June).

You know I didn't even think about the COVID backlog - b****r. I think you're right it's going to be super buy. Ah well, I'll still ask, but maybe 2024 for booking online as I will have planned better. I have saved loads for holiday as I was going to do a 10 day trip to Ukraine this year: back to Chernobyl and urban exploring but obviously that hasn't happened so I didn't think far enough ahead until this month on what I want to do next year! It was a toss up between Skomer or Thailand Reptile Holiday but cost of Thailand... I need to do a bit more saving, but I also need to get away!

Yeah you can book them online now which makes it so much eaiser! Oh wow, I guess at some point you couldn't even get tickets to the Island.

ecoleman · 24 Dec 2022

Last time I went to Skomer I had a 70-200 f2.8 and my sigma 150-600 f:slow.

I found the sigma a bit slow on the auto focus front so switched to the 70-200 but did feel that 200 was a too short. The 100-400 will be fine.

You do get pretty close to them too so any normal focal length would be a good idea to pack as well

pooley · 24 Dec 2022

I’ve been a few times, one of my favourite places to shoot on a warm early morning or late evening when you all but have the place to yourself.

The go to lens for most of the standard shots will undoubtedly be the 100-400ii. It’s an incredible lens for the money and focuses to just under 1 metre. The 400 prime is quality but the close focus is poor and the zoom really knocks spots off it. It really is that good.

I’ve always taken a supertele for the flight shots where you may be cropping with the 100-400. The extra stop will help with your focussing as they are unbelievably quick

I love the incoming backlit landing shots at the wick on a sunny evening but fill your cards as your hit rate will be frustratingly low but well worth it when you get that one keeper.

At the wick you’ll often get birds circling behind you and they give the best chances for flight shots with eels.

Pre focus your lens close to where you want to take the shot. Pick the bird up as early in your viewfinder as you can and let it come towards you getting closer to being in focus. Just before it gets in focus activate the continuous af and smoothly pan taking a short burst.

If you keep watching you’ll likely see the flight pattern repeat itself.

There’s a couple of Skomer folders In my website below

Mike

rob-nikon · 24 Dec 2022

I thought I’d post this as you may not seem this thread. The canon 100-400 is £1599 at John Lewis with £110 cashback on top of that.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/canon-100-400-for-£1599-at-johnlewis.744926/

Sorry I’ve just checked and they are now sold out

nandbytes · 24 Dec 2022

You can't catch sun rise/set on the day boat trips

You'll have to stay on the island for that and if you haven't already booked you may find is hard to stay over this year.

Lenses wise I have taken 100-400mm and 20-600mm in the past. But looks like you are shooting on APS-C. So I'd probably suggest 70-200mm f2.8 with 1.4x.
I'd definitely want a zoom lens for this place since there's birds literally everywhere. So you might at one point be shooting up close and at other points try picking something flying further away.

Also consider a sigma 120-300mm F2.8 sport.

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

ecoleman said:
Last time I went to Skomer I had a 70-200 f2.8 and my sigma 150-600 f:slow.

I found the sigma a bit slow on the auto focus front so switched to the 70-200 but did feel that 200 was a too short. The 100-400 will be fine.

You do get pretty close to them too so any normal focal length would be a good idea to pack as well

Perfect, thank you for that. I have done some youtube research and it gets super busy with photographers. Going over 10 sessions might be the key to getting a good shot or two.

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

pooley said:
I’ve been a few times, one of my favourite places to shoot on a warm early morning or late evening when you all but have the place to yourself.

The go to lens for most of the standard shots will undoubtedly be the 100-400ii. It’s an incredible lens for the money and focuses to just under 1 metre. The 400 prime is quality but the close focus is poor and the zoom really knocks spots off it. It really is that good.

I’ve always taken a supertele for the flight shots where you may be cropping with the 100-400. The extra stop will help with your focussing as they are unbelievably quick

I love the incoming backlit landing shots at the wick on a sunny evening but fill your cards as your hit rate will be frustratingly low but well worth it when you get that one keeper.

At the wick you’ll often get birds circling behind you and they give the best chances for flight shots with eels.

Pre focus your lens close to where you want to take the shot. Pick the bird up as early in your viewfinder as you can and let it come towards you getting closer to being in focus. Just before it gets in focus activate the continuous af and smoothly pan taking a short burst.

If you keep watching you’ll likely see the flight pattern repeat itself.

There’s a couple of Skomer folders In my website below

Mike

That's what I was hoping for, but as others have mentioned I might be a bit late to book - but 2024 season might be the one, I will be more on it next time.

Amazing thank you too for that. I will stick what you have written into my Notion notes. I have noticed that on the 80D I can only fire off around 8-10 shots before the camera s***s itself, it's really annoying but the R-series are way too expensive.

Thanks again, and your photos are awesome, very jealous.

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

rob-nikon said:
I thought I’d post this as you may not seem this thread. The canon 100-400 is £1599 at John Lewis with £110 cashback on top of that.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/canon-100-400-for-£1599-at-johnlewis.744926/

Sorry I’ve just checked and they are now sold out

Thanks for letting me know still! I hadn't seen it, I checked on camera price buster and Amazon are doing the same price but without the cash back, so i am going to be researching that today!

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

nandbytes said:
You can't catch sun rise/set on the day boat trips
You'll have to stay on the island for that and if you haven't already booked you may find is hard to stay over this year.

Lenses wise I have taken 100-400mm and 20-600mm in the past. But looks like you are shooting on APS-C. So I'd probably suggest 70-200mm f2.8 with 1.4x.
I'd definitely want a zoom lens for this place since there's birds literally everywhere. So you might at one point be shooting up close and at other points try picking something flying further away.

Also consider a sigma 120-300mm F2.8 sport.

Yeah, thats the common theme unfortunetly. But the puffins will be back and Skomer isn't going anywhere I will be hot on the tail for next year. Might even join the Welsh National Trust to get booking sligtly sooner than 'public' booking! Wales and Brighton are close, right?

Thanks for leting me know. I do have the 70-200mm f4 - but will look into the 1.4x converter too. But I think this is my time to invest in the 100-400. I've been wanting it for honestly years anyways. So migt as well!

Looking at the price of the Sigma lens, I think I would be better off with the 100-400mm now and then in the future buy the 500mm lens of MPB.

nandbytes · 25 Dec 2022

JDP said:
Yeah, thats the common theme unfortunetly. But the puffins will be back and Skomer isn't going anywhere I will be hot on the tail for next year. Might even join the Welsh National Trust to get booking sligtly sooner than 'public' booking! Wales and Brighton are close, right?

Thanks for leting me know. I do have the 70-200mm f4 - but will look into the 1.4x converter too. But I think this is my time to invest in the 100-400. I've been wanting it for honestly years anyways. So migt as well!

Looking at the price of the Sigma lens, I think I would be better off with the 100-400mm now and then in the future buy the 500mm lens of MPB.

Well the sigma is a constant f2.8 while 100-400mm is f5.6. Even with 1.4x TC the sigma will be a 420mm F4 at the long end.

I can't comment on the AF performance of both lenses. I imagine canon to be slightly better because it's first party.

They are different kind of lenses at the end of the day, one is more portable and other is heavy by gives you that f2.8 aperture at 300mm.

If you catch a sunny day f5.6 won't be an issue.

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

nandbytes said:
Well the sigma is a constant f2.8 while 100-400mm is f5.6. Even with 1.4x TC the sigma will be a 420mm F4 at the long end.

I can't comment on the AF performance of both lenses. I imagine canon to be slightly better because it's first party.

They are different kind of lenses at the end of the day, one is more portable and other is heavy by gives you that f2.8 aperture at 300mm.

If you catch a sunny day f5.6 won't be an issue.

That is very true, and something to think about. I will be using it on my 80D anyway so either lens would be 640mm at the long end.

Hopefully June should give good weather and good light, I'll probably get it wrong for the first few days anyways. But giving myself 10 chances to get it right - one day will be perfect - hopefully!

hunnymonster · 25 Dec 2022

Make sure you take at least one spare memory card (I didn't for Isle of May a couple of years back, card got corrupted and although I had 2 bodies it made it a faff swapping between)

JDP · 25 Dec 2022

hunnymonster said:
Make sure you take at least one spare memory card (I didn't for Isle of May a couple of years back, card got corrupted and although I had 2 bodies it made it a faff swapping between)

That's a good shout!.... I never leave the house on a photography trip without at least 3 memory cards! I gathered them together today and I have 25 32GB cards.... I got a bit carried away when I did my road trip to Albania.

rob-nikon · 25 Dec 2022

JDP said:
That's a good shout!.... I never leave the house on a photography trip without at least 3 memory cards! I gathered them together today and I have 25 32GB cards.... I got a bit carried away when I did my road trip to Albania.

Battery power will likely be the best issue. Whilst there is power in the accommodation its provided by solar and there are limited electrical sockets available to use. When I've stayed there has always been a long queue of camera battery chargers waiting for the limited sockets. Its always good to have a few spare batteries with you.

pooley · 26 Dec 2022

rob-nikon said:
Battery power will likely be the best issue. Whilst there is power in the accommodation its provided by solar and there are limited electrical sockets available to use. When I've stayed there has always been a long queue of camera battery chargers waiting for the limited sockets. Its always good to have a few spare batteries with you.

Top advice - couldn't agree more

JDP · 26 Dec 2022

rob-nikon said:
Battery power will likely be the best issue. Whilst there is power in the accommodation its provided by solar and there are limited electrical sockets available to use. When I've stayed there has always been a long queue of camera battery chargers waiting for the limited sockets. Its always good to have a few spare batteries with you.

That's a good shout too, I have 4 80D batteries and 3 M50mkii

.
I also have a Jackery Explorer 240 portable power station, which should manage the small camera batteries and my mobile

- If I am able to get space on the Island i'll take it along with me.

That powerstation has been invaluble - especially on random car adventures where your car is where you live for a week!

Thank you all for your advice so far, it's been so helpful - I just hope I am able to get into the accomodation for 2023. If not I will spend time in an airbnb at Marloes as that looks like the closest village. I could camp but that's effort. Then drive too and from the car park daily.

JDP · 26 Dec 2022

Something that's come to mind, in your exprence what is the best time to get there to be in the best chance of the Puffins with eels? I am trying to find it but I think I am googling wrong.

Thanks again for the help

nandbytes · 26 Dec 2022

JDP said:
Something that's come to mind, in your exprence what is the best time to get there to be in the best chance of the Puffins with eels? I am trying to find it but I think I am googling wrong.

Thanks again for the help

Staying there all day is obviously the best but for day trips i have been on the very first boat and very last boat.
I had more luck with the first morning boat.

I personally avoided the middle boats because that will be the most crowded on the island. If you take the first morning boat then you have 30min-1 hour of just the people who arrived with you on the boat before the next one arrives. Alternatively if you take the last boat the last 30min - 1 hour will be less crowded since others will have left the island.

Though I think logically speaking last boat should be better than first boat i think and I just had better luck first time (no two days will be the same)

So in order of (my) preference:
1. Island stay
2. Last boat
3. First boat
4. Middle boat(s)

But if it's a particularly busy day hard to get tickets for I'd take any seat i get. If you can choose then I'd pick in the above fashion.

JDP · 26 Dec 2022

nandbytes said:
Staying there all day is obviously the best but for day trips i have been on the very first boat and very last boat.
I had more luck with the first morning boat.

I personally avoided the middle boats because that will be the most crowded on the island. If you take the first morning boat then you have 30min-1 hour of just the people who arrived with you on the boat before the next one arrives. Alternatively if you take the last boat the last 30min - 1 hour will be less crowded since others will have left the island.

Though I think logically speaking last boat should be better than first boat i think and I just had better luck first time (no two days will be the same)

So in order of (my) preference:
1. Island stay
2. Last boat
3. First boat
4. Middle boat(s)

But if it's a particularly busy day hard to get tickets for I'd take any seat i get. If you can choose then I'd pick in the above fashion.

You're a legend thank you mate. I'll do a mixture of last and firsts then!
Though first choice is staying on the Island but as mentioned earlier maybe not possible this year.

Thank you again!

JDP · 13 Jan 2023

Good News... lots of overthinking and research has allowed me to find space on a 3 day Skomer photography workshop. Just in talks and getting everything sorted. I am so excited. It will be mid June, so the 5hrs of afternoon sun will be ideal when day trippers are gone!

No signal, no electricity, just puffins, manx and the sound of wind and waves.... I don't think you can get more perfect than that. A much needed digital detox coming up. Although I probably will still take my Jackery power block and a laptop. Not a fan of the accommodation as I am a massive snorer, so god speed to whomever I share with. haha.

Also, decided I am buying a second hand 100-400mm L, probably from MPB, even though Park Cameras is down the road they're more expensive even after delivery (I live in Sussex, annoying I can't pick up from MPB).

Brentor · 13 Jan 2023

I’m jealous!

let us know how how get on with the snoring as that is the main reason I will not book the accommodation. I would clear the whole dormitory.

Is that the mark 1 or 2 lens?

JDP · 13 Jan 2023

Haha I am super lucky!

and will do. I am the same, It's probably the only thing I worry about. When I did my road trip to Albania from the UK I slept in my car pretty much the whole way. When I drove across Ukraine I too slept in the car as I couldn't bare the hostles. I woke up in the centre of Kyiv with people peering into the car. Good times. :LOL:

Also, most evenings are mild, so I am more than happy to kip outdoors if it gets too much!

It'll be the mk2

hunnymonster · 14 Jan 2023

JDP said:
No signal, no electricity, just puffins, manx and the sound of wind and waves.... I don't think you can get more perfect than that. A much needed digital detox coming up. Although I probably will still take my Jackery power block and a laptop. Not a fan of the accommodation as I am a massive snorer, so god speed to whomever I share with. haha.

So you now need to invest in enough batteries to last you

and make sure your power bank can charge the batteries in the time you need it to

jerry12953 · 14 Jan 2023

Just a thought - with black and white birds like the puffin you don't really want bright sunshine as the contrast levels will be too high. Hope and pray that you get plenty of thin high cloud to diffuse the sunlight....

Have a nice few days......

JDP · 14 Jan 2023

hunnymonster said:
So you now need to invest in enough batteries to last you and make sure your power bank can charge the batteries in the time you need it to

Yeah, I have 3 for my 80D and 3 for my M50. I might get another 3 of each... 1st day is a mid-morning start until sun down, 2nd day is a full photography day, and 3rd is an early morning shoot before ferry departs. So I am going up fully charged with the batteries, a fully charged Jackery Explorer 240 and 2 Jackery Titans and 1 Anker powerbank I should be covered... I also have a small solar charger that I can attach to the backpack so I can have a battery charging on each.

I am good at over thinking, probably the only thing I do best. Who needs to budget for a holiday when I need to make sure how to keep everything charged! ha.

JDP · 14 Jan 2023

jerry12953 said:
Just a thought - with black and white birds like the puffin you don't really want bright sunshine as the contrast levels will be too high. Hope and pray that you get plenty of thin high cloud to diffuse the sunlight.... Have a nice few days......

Yeah, that's very true. Hopefully it will be alright. Will have to see -- if weather isn't playing ball, I just hope my post-processing skills are good enough.

Brentor · 14 Jan 2023

Hopefully the weather will be fine. It’s can get quite choppy in the short stretch of water between the mainland and the island and the boat will not sail in certain conditions. I have been caught out on a couple of occasions but managed to extend my accommodation booking and all worked out well.

You may only want to photograph birds but the flowers and coastline are well worth consideration as are the rabbits.

rob-nikon · 14 Jan 2023

JDP said:
Yeah, I have 3 for my 80D and 3 for my M50. I might get another 3 of each... 1st day is a mid-morning start until sun down, 2nd day is a full photography day, and 3rd is an early morning shoot before ferry departs. So I am going up fully charged with the batteries, a fully charged Jackery Explorer 240 and 2 Jackery Titans and 1 Anker powerbank I should be covered... I also have a small solar charger that I can attach to the backpack so I can have a battery charging on each.

I am good at over thinking, probably the only thing I do best. Who needs to budget for a holiday when I need to make sure how to keep everything charged! ha.

Having a few spare batteries would be useful rather than relying on just one. If I remember correctly are two double power sockets powered by solar panels so there is power, but there’s usually a queue of chargers. If everyone plays nicely it should fine. As you’re in the photography tour group it should be ok as you’d know most of the photographers who will be charging batteries. I’d say taking a jackery is a bit overkill as there should be plenty of solar. Don’t forget everything has to be carried off the boat and up the steps and back again. There’s a tractor that can take bags to the accommodation but if that’s not working then you have to carry it all yourself to the accommodation in the centre of the island. You’ll have clothes, food and photography kit so will have quite a bit to carry anyway.

I’ve never gone in an organised photography group trip as I’ve always booked our own stays with friends. Days are very long in June as sunrise is around 4am and sunset 10pm. We prioritised early morning (sunrise) and evening (sunset) outings. We mainly went out once the day trippers had gone home. Light in the day time can be a bit harsh if it’s a bright day. The best bit of staying on the island is that you can go out in the best light which you can’t do as a day tripper.

JDP · 14 Jan 2023

Brentor said:
Hopefully the weather will be fine. It’s can get quite choppy in the short stretch of water between the mainland and the island and the boat will not sail in certain conditions. I have been caught out on a couple of occasions but managed to extend my accommodation booking and all worked out well.

You may only want to photograph birds but the flowers and coastline are well worth consideration as are the rabbits.

Fingers crossed. I hope that the weather does play ball - I can imagine how fustrating that will be. Glad you were able to get it sorted and everything worked well!

My plan is to shoot the entire island, both fauna and flora

. Both have a close space in my heart - I am a trained ecologist and animal biologist but due to wanting to actually move out of my parents house and start my own life, I have moved into trying to break into cyber security so I miss nature, bigtime.