I have never been to a Botanical Garden: I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can remember visiting a BG was when I lived in Chicago, pre 1975. Taking a visit to the Atlanta...

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can remember visiting a BG was when I lived in Chicago, pre 1975.
Taking a visit to the Atlanta Gardens this Saturday. I don't want to carry a lot of lenses with me. I have a Sony alpha MK 7, II. I have the kit lens, FE 28-70, 3.5-5.6. And a Samyang 35mm 2.8. Should that cover the range? Also a Canon FD 28mm 2.8 with adaptor.
I have been thinking about plant photography and the Gardens would be my first stop. So, for the $22 admission fee, I want the proper lenses. Have hoods and filters.
I do have some other Canon EF lenses, 50mm, 85mm both 1.8, but the latter being heavy.
Appreciate any suggestions.
Of course, I could just take an iPhone!

Boris77

Bike guy wrote:

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)

I regularly go to the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis (and have been to many others when traveling).
Key thing for me has become close focusing with enough lens magnification to keep me from stepping into the flower beds. Second need has been high quality wide angle for the overall shots, I do not worry about distortion in those locations. I use the 16 to 85mm on the Nikon APS-C (half frame) and carry nothing else. It reaches over 90% of what I want.

You have (only) the 28-70 zoom? I know nothing about Sony lenses, but I do not think any of the faster lens you have will be of any advantage. The Gardens grow plants, and the plants thrive on light; they are generally one of the brightest places I go!
If either of the single focal length wide angle lens are a notable step up in quality over the zoom, I would carry it for a back up (with a polarizing filter on it).
Boris

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Boris77 wrote:

I regularly go to the Missouri Botanical Garden in... (show quote)

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

After a couple of times, I started taking a 12-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, and my 60mm f/2.8 macro along with a travel tripod (Manfrotto befree). So your 28-70mm should get you through, but still recommend a macro lens, but maybe your smartphone camera can do the macro work.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Strodav wrote:

After a couple of times, I started taking a 12-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, and my 60mm f/2.8 macro along with a travel tripod (Manfrotto befree). So your 28-70mm should get you through, but still recommend a macro lens, but maybe your smartphone camera can do the macro work.

Don’t have a macro yet. Thanks

Boris77

Strodav wrote:

After a couple of times, I started taking a 12-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, and my 60mm f/2.8 macro along with a travel tripod (Manfrotto befree). So your 28-70mm should get you through, but still recommend a macro lens, but maybe your smartphone camera can do the macro work.

I think that a Macro lens is way too limiting for a first time visitor if they have a zoom that will focus reasonably close. My regular zoom lens will get me the bee on the flower with a small amount of foliage. The advantage of the macro is to get the bee in the flower with no foliage, impressive but less interesting to friends who like flowers.
For general photography the modern stabilization systems have replaced the tripod, especially in daylight.
Boris

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Bike guy wrote:

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)

I shoot hundreds of botanical subjects every season and use a wide variety of lenses, but 100mm and 180mm are the workhorses. I would absolutely use an 85mm or 100mm for botanical gardens, and maybe stick a 50mm in the bag in case I want to shoot something other than the plants.

Mike

toxdoc42

Boris77 wrote:

I regularly go to the Missouri Botanical Garden in... (show quote)

I totally agree that one will probably want to have a longer lens So you can get close without being close! On my recent visit to the Bronx Botanical Gardens, I often found use for my 55-200 mm Nikon on my D3400. I posted some photos from that experience.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Thanks

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

toxdoc42 wrote:

I totally agree that one will probably want to have a longer lens So you can get close without being close! On my recent visit to the Bronx Botanical Gardens, I often found use for my 55-200 mm Nikon on my D3400. I posted some photos from that experience.

I am partial to primes, but a 55-200 zoom is a good recommendation, too. Some interesting shots of plants can be done with wide angle lenses, but that requires getting close and in a garden situation that may not be possible.

Mike

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Bike guy wrote:

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)

Do you take photo's of flowers? If you do, what do you use? If you do take images of flowers, then you will know what to use.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Bike guy wrote:

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)

I go to the San Diego Botanic Gardens, the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park (both internationally recognized botanic gardens as well as zoos), the Cuyamaca College Water Conservation Gardens, the Los Angeles Arboretum, and The Huntington Botanical Gardens on a regular basis, making at least one of those each week. Today, as a matter of fact, I'm heading up to Los Angeles to The Huntington.

I take three lenses with me in my car: Tamron 90mm macro, Tamron 18-300, and Tamron 150-600. I don't always use all three on any specific trip. While the 90mm macro is my workhorse lens for botanical gardens, the 18-300 is useful when special events are going on that I want to record, and the 150-600 is useful when the birds are nesting high up in the trees, or I need to get through the wire mesh at the aviaries and other exhibits at zoos, aquariums, and other animal sanctuaries that I visit regularly.

Collhar Loc: New York City.

Bike guy wrote:

I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)

take the 28-70 and your cell phone. Oh, is the 28-70 "kit" any different than if you were to purchase the same lens without a camera?

Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL

Remember that some botanical gardens and zoos and public places like that have requirements for photography. You may want to check out if where you are going has some requirements. For instance, some will not allow tripods.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Don't overdo it with gear. A wide-to-moderate zoom will be sufficient. You will probably take more close shots than distant ones. I've been to the NY garden many times, and I never changed lenses, nor did I see anyone else changing them. It could be crowded, depending on when you go, and people getting in the way could be an issue. Shoot fast!