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Photographing cathedrals
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Feb 3, 2018 10:08:21   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
The lenses suggested are very good indeed. The OP has a D750, which is a full frame camera. However, you would have a different FOV using a crop sensor camera such as a D7200. The 1.5X factor won't be the same as the D750 ..A 10-20mm wide angle zoom would have a FOV of 15-30mm. Still OK. Just make sure you're aware of the difference. The 10-20mm is still a 10-20mm. Regardless, if on a crop sensor.

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Feb 3, 2018 10:17:20   #
srt101fan
 
Charles 46277 wrote:
That is interesting about prohibiting photos in cathedrals. I have never had any trouble taking pictures in churches (when nothing was going on there). I set up a tripod and use long shutter speeds with small apertures, with wide angle lens to get everything in. Your 24-70 lens should do everything except very wide angles, which I like for interiors (especially large ones). I would almost never choose the large apertures of fast lenses for architectural shots.

Maybe the cathedrals don't want photography because they are Catholic and pretty much always open for worship. They don't want people with cameras bothering the people worshipping. Protestants are also sometimes open all the time, but very few people go there to worship in the off hours. Churches that discourage photos might relent if you ask politely for an appropriate time.
That is interesting about prohibiting photos in ca... (show quote)



A church in London I visited charged you for taking pictures. You had to buy a "photographer pass" (I think that's what they called it.)

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Feb 3, 2018 10:37:48   #
Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire
 
John Battle wrote:
I'm fairly new to DSLR photography. My daughter and I plan to visit England for 3 weeks in June/July, and would like to get some great pictures of the splendid cathedrals there, both inside and out. I now have gotten a Nikon D750 and their 24-70 zoom lens. Would some of you who are more experienced suggest any other lens or lenses to get prior to our trip?


To me, your lens is going to get you what you want. Thats not the problem. The problem is, most churches do NOT want a flash going off inside. Be careful. When I was in Rome I got shots of the Sistine Chapel with NO flash. (Like everyone else was doing.) But, when a flash went off, the police were right on that person, escorting them out of the Vatican altogether. Again, be careful. NO Flash ever.
Rich...

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Feb 3, 2018 10:50:16   #
Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
 
Shutterbug57 wrote:
Why. Are they hiding something?


Durham used to allow photographs, but charged a fee for a camera 'pass'. The funds raised go towards maintenance of the building. They may have stopped that by now, though. Last time I was there, I was shooting on a Canon A1!

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Feb 3, 2018 11:02:40   #
Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY
 
suntouched wrote:
Something to think about- I noticed that carrying and setting up a regular sized tripod in the middle of a large mission church (similar to a cathedral) with many other tourists there besides me was awkward. If you set is up in the aisle you are in the way of others. And guaranteed someone will stand right in front of you! It you try to set it up in the pews often the tripod is too big to spread out to give an effective stable platform (to get the height you need) And yet with the traditionally low lighting some sort of stabilization is needed.
Something that clamps to the back of a pew would be the most helpful giving you a central position to take the photo. And it would be easier to transport than a regular tripod.
What do others do inside crowded areas?
Something to think about- I noticed that carrying ... (show quote)


Suntouched, you are right on all points. I would want low ISO (100) and high depth of field (11 for wide angle, 16 for normal or short tele), and in most cases I would want vertical rather than tilted angles. A tripod is an obvious answer where possible, as the shutter may be around a second, or for those who like HDR (several exposures, later blended). Ideally, wouldn't a ladder be nice? This would get you up away from the floor and pews just enough that they fall within the depth of field with the distant stained glass windows. You could set the camera on the top ladder platform, flat and steady (cable or time delay shutter). I could easily do this in churches around here--nobody around in the daytime during the week, but hardly a plan for travel.

On one trip I hired a college student ahead of time (photo major) to guide and assist me (head of department posted a note from my email), and he knew the ropes about all this--snuck me into places not open to the public (but not a problem if caught)--and he carried the camera case (no bigger than a briefcase). I carried a tripod. on my shoulder, sturdy enough to intimidate most muggers if used as a club (and he looked sturdy enough too). If I had some cathedral in mind, he could have set up time for it with the caretaker--who might have provided a ladder for a sawbuck or two. I was using a light field camera, 4x5 film, but the principles of photography do not all change with a small digital. Sure, I might take a shot inside a church at f1.4 or f2, but I would consider that a special effect picture--the style typical for sports action or photojournalism. What I would normally want is f11 or more, ISO 100.

Old journalists had a rule with their press cameras, usually fitted with a slightly wide angle lens--"f8 and be there," was the rule. Often they prefocused for people pictures, 8 to 12 feet, presetting the shutter for prevailing light. The film holder could be marked for push or pull developing as needed. With auto exposure and auto focus, the temptation is to think our minds (and skills) are no longer needed. But every consideration with a large format manual film camera is still at our disposal with digital cameras--except for the shifts, tilts, and swings on the camera body (and except when a special tilting lens is used--very expensive). A press camera can still give these, and they are cheap enough--a digital camera is easily attached to the back with an adapter from eBay, instead of the film holders, though admittedly using it can replace a workout at the spa.

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Feb 3, 2018 11:27:01   #
jwn Loc: SOUTHEAST GEORGIA USA
 
Go to Flicker, search the location you are going to visit. Check the photos and look at the cameras, lens and exposure data used by other to get the shot. don't try and reinvent the wheel

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Feb 3, 2018 11:45:40   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
Doddy wrote:
No..they probably want you to buy Photo's from the Cathedral shop to swell their coffers!!


When in Peru, they did not allow photography in most churches, BUT, they had photo booths and stalls outside every single church that offered photo's I could buy of the interior of the churches. And, if you took a photo of any resident, no matter who it was, they expected to be paid their equivalent of one dollar (.25 for me) . PER PERSON, PER PHOTO. If you took a picture of 12 people, they each expected to be paid. Not saying this was good or bad, just saying. SO, check with your travel agent before you go.

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Feb 3, 2018 11:48:00   #
revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson
 
Doddy wrote:
Hi John, I cant give you any help regards what lenses to take with you, but I can tell you Some Cathedrals over here don't allow photography inside. I went to Durham Cathedral (near to where I live) a couple of years ago and was told in no uncertain terms that no photography was allowed..just check before you go to one.
Really? Things must have changed. I was there 25-30 years ago and got lots of cathedral pics -- inside and outside. Not digital so I can't easily share.

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Feb 3, 2018 11:54:09   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
nikonbug wrote:
And that is why many tourists are called "Ugly Americans". Many venues consider that their property is copyrighted and do not want photos taken.


Exactly!!!!
No photos means no photos.
Thank you.

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Feb 3, 2018 11:57:54   #
Clapperboard
 
John Battle Don't get too hung up on the wide aperture/fast lens aspect. Cathedrals have usually been around for a while and they don't move a lot. Longer exposures are not usually a problem. Most permit tripod use but may make a small charge to help with maintenance. A lot don't charge. Using a 'not too wide' aperture will give a greater depth of field and may result in more detail as well. Your 24/70 is well capable. I would carry a wide lens as well for external shots, and maybe some internal ones. Perhaps 16/??? as cathedrals are usually quite large. Externally it isn't always possible to get far enough away to include it all without a wide lens. Without a 'tilt/shift lens it is sometimes an advantage to shoot wider than normal and crop in order to minimise the amount of tilt required to cover the full height of the building. Correcting the tilt in post doesn't always work perfectly as there are verticals at different distances from the viewpoint. That often (usually) leads to some distortion when correcting in post. Thus keeping the focal plane as vertical as possible is very worthwhile. Your 24/70 may be enough but I would recommend having a wider lens as well.

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Feb 3, 2018 12:18:56   #
Clapperboard
 
Wells Cathedral, fabulous building, no photos inside. No problem outside. Be sure to see the Black & White Knights Clock.
Ripon Cathedral, inside £3 & use a tripod (sensibly) where you like. No problem outside.
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, great friendly and helpful staff, shoot what you like with tripod, no charge. Two cathedrals in Liverpool, Anglican and 'Paddies Wigwam', the Roman Catholic Cathedral.
Most churches/cathedrals will try to help. Some sell postcards of internal shots and don't allow internal photography as they fear it will interfere with sales.
ALWAYS be sure to let the staff know you are aware it is a place of worship and not a film set. I always found that useful when making wedding videos.

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Feb 3, 2018 12:24:25   #
bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
John Battle wrote:
I'm fairly new to DSLR photography. My daughter and I plan to visit England for 3 weeks in June/July, and would like to get some great pictures of the splendid cathedrals there, both inside and out. I now have gotten a Nikon D750 and their 24-70 zoom lens. Would some of you who are more experienced suggest any other lens or lenses to get prior to our trip?


We are taking a British Isles cruise in May. Last year, we toured Spain, Morocco, and Gibraltar. When we were in Barcelona, we toured the Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, which gave me some real insight into what you will need.

Your 24-70, which I presume is the F2.8 version, will be your go to lens and you can probably get by with that lens alone alone for everything but cathedrals. Although I used a Nikon 10-24mm DX lens on my D800 for the Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, I would also consider a super-wide angle lens (over 90 degree angle of view) for both the exteriors and especially the interiors of the cathedrals on your trip. Look at the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G ED primary lens or the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G ED zoom. Both are on the heavy side and have F2.8 apertures which will facilitate hand holding where tripods or monopods are not allowed, but at 14mm have a 114 degree AOV you will especially need for interior pictures where the ceilings are over 100 feet high.

Since the D750 has a 24Mp sensor, you can dispense with a telephoto since you can crop in on the few long shots you will probably want. It will be very important to save weight and space on your trip, so travel lite and leave nonessentials, everything you may only possibly need, at home.

The attached photos will give you an idea of why you need a super-wide lens. I took them with my handheld (tripods not allowed) Nikon 10-24mm DX lens mounted on my D800. All these photos were taken at 10mm, which yields a 90 degree AOV.

Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia Exterior
Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia Exterior...


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Feb 3, 2018 12:25:45   #
Gaddysmom
 
As you see from the many recommendations you have received, there is no one perfect lens. You are the only person who can answer your question and, to do so, you must decide what kind of photography you are interested in. I like details, so, my go-to trip lens is a 28-300. Others prefer the whole scene and use wide-angles. You have written that you are new to this, so, spend some time online looking at the photos of others and try to identify those that appeal most to you. That will help you decide on lenses. My second bit of advice for you is to spend a lot of time practising low-light shooting. Carrying a tripod is going to be troublesome and its use will be prohibited in some places. Learn to find places where you can brace a camera— pews, walls, columns, friend’s shoulder, etc. Practice is the key here— the more you shoot, the better you will get. Read up on breath-control techniques and how to hold your camera. You can also use a “chain” tripod in places where a more traditional tripod is prohibited. Make one. And, as noted by another member, photography is not allowed at Durham Cathedral (exceptions may be made for academics— are you one?); do your research ahead of time— most, if not all, cathedrals have their photo policy online. Finally, remember that cathedrals are not the only interesting churches. There are parish churches that are nearly as large as some cathedrals (especially the so-called “wool” churches) and many, small parish churches have fantastic interiors replete with wonderful monuments, carvings, surviving wall-painting fragments, etc. You may want to do a little research not only into specific churches, but also into church architecture in general so that you will know what to look for.

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Feb 3, 2018 12:34:10   #
dukepresley
 
Been to Europe a # of times w/my D700 & 24-70 f/2.8. I am, at best, an "avid amateur" but that combo has served me well. In earlier years, carried a D90 & 16-85 f/3.5 and 70-300 f/4.5 (??) until I got tired of changing (& carrying) the 2nd lens. Never used flash for interior shots and only had one problem (read "scolding") when I could not resist an interior shot in the Jesuit church in Venice (Santa Maria Assunta). I admit that I now regret my imperious attitude -- the "rules don't apply to me" but at least I apologized when reminded of the rule.

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Feb 3, 2018 12:40:11   #
GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA
 
My only input for your trip is what I did on a trip to Europe. I only packed clothes I didn't want any more, and I got rid of them to make room in my suitcase for everything I bought.

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