I have never been to a Botanical Garden
Jul 26, 2019 08:09:09 #
Jul 26, 2019 08:14:38 #
Jul 26, 2019 08:37:53 #
I was at the San Diego Botanical Gardens last week and took my 28-105 F3.5/4.5 Nikkor as it goes to half life-size and got some nice closeups. That said, I do wish I'd have taken one of my macro lenses too.
Jul 26, 2019 09:42:26 #
Dwiggy wrote:
I'm not sure why you'd need a tripod, certainly not if you use a standard telephoto lens {and include some context} instead of a macro lens.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.
Jul 26, 2019 09:48:48 #
rehess wrote:
I'm not sure why you'd need a tripod, certainly not if you use a standard telephoto lens {and include some context} instead of a macro lens.
The only time I use a tripod is with long exposures or stacking.... I shoot 99% of my macro handheld...
Jul 26, 2019 09:55:48 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
The only time I use a tripod is with long exposures or stacking.... I shoot 99% of my macro handheld...
I wasn't sure of that - since I seldom use macro capabilities of my few macro-capable lenses, I wasn't sure what kind of DOF you are working with, so I could see why you might have to avoid "rocking" back and forth. Thank you for commenting.
Jul 26, 2019 09:58:26 #
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.
Ditto on the macro lens :-)
Jul 26, 2019 10:00:35 #
Last spring I took my a7ii with 28-70 kit lens and Samyang 24 f2.8 to Kingwood Center in Mansfield, OH. Ended up using the 24mm most of the time. It's great for wide angle shots and creative close ups. Were I you I would put the 35 on the camera and carry the 28-70 as backup.
Jul 26, 2019 10:05:55 #
I have been to the Atlanta BG several times and have not encountered any restrictions, other than not walking in the plant beds. However, there are both outdoor and indoor plants. The indoor plants can be a challenge due to the lower light.
Jul 26, 2019 10:18:34 #
Bike guy wrote:
I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)
Wow, I can't imagine not going to Botanical Gardens. My local favorites where I live are the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, CA; the H.E. Huntington Library, Art Galleries, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA; and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont, CA. I also know of several nice smaller ones. I could not avoid the Huntington as I used to work there at one time. Probably my favorite photo subject is flowers! Since I plan to photograph flowers I usually bring a Macro Lens and a WA Lens for landscapes at a minimum. I'm partial to prime lenses, but I still often use a zoom lens. Orchids, Roses, Lilies, Irises, and Hibiscus are great to photograph.
Jul 26, 2019 10:27:03 #
Bike guy wrote:
I know; sounds stupid. But the last time I can rem... (show quote)
So you are anticipating great things, but not sure of the kit you will require....also time of day and season.
Have you checked the internet for images - which should at least get the grey cells working....on composition/angle/ as well as lenses and settings. Where is the sun going to be and can you take advantage of that ? What is the lighting like in glass houses? how are you going to record the names of the particular species you see (Latin or common)
would a card 'background' enable you to isolate a single flower, or a circular reflector bring light in rather than using flash and/or Double as a blank background.
It might be that you take the cell phone only.....talk to the staff and guides and arrange another visit when you have created a shooting list? Most gardens are quite large so being burdened with kit whilst exploring the whole area will be tiring. search online for the current 'highlights' at the time and then create a shorter/better shooting list. It may double the entry price but improve the final results.
have fun
Jul 26, 2019 11:13:23 #
zug55
Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas
I agree that a macro lens would be great--but also expensive. You also could get a set of extension tubes so you can use your 28-70 for macro shots. The Vello Deluxe Auto Focus Extension Tube Set is less than $100. As an occasional macro shooter, I am happy with this set-up.
Jul 26, 2019 11:25:43 #
Here is what is on the Atlanta Botanical Gardens web page:
"Imaginary Worlds:
Alice's Wonderland
SEE IT TODAY: The exhibition of giant topiary-like plant sculptures at both the Midtown and Gainesville gardens, is back by popular demand, this year featuring the world premiere of works inspired by Alice in Wonderland."
I have been to the Gardens several times. Their productions are amazing! The Gardens are about 30 acres, and there will be a lot for you, and several thousand of your closet friends, to see.
Take the FE 28-70 and your cell phone. If you are going to be there at night, also take the 35mm 2.8.
You will enjoy the Atlanta Botanical Gardens! You probably thought you would spend the day getting up close and taking definitive photo of many types of plants and flowers, in just the right lightning. You will have opportunities.
After you get home, look through your saved photos. I predict over 50% will be topiary.
Have a great "Alice in Wonderland" adventure.
"Imaginary Worlds:
Alice's Wonderland
SEE IT TODAY: The exhibition of giant topiary-like plant sculptures at both the Midtown and Gainesville gardens, is back by popular demand, this year featuring the world premiere of works inspired by Alice in Wonderland."
I have been to the Gardens several times. Their productions are amazing! The Gardens are about 30 acres, and there will be a lot for you, and several thousand of your closet friends, to see.
Take the FE 28-70 and your cell phone. If you are going to be there at night, also take the 35mm 2.8.
You will enjoy the Atlanta Botanical Gardens! You probably thought you would spend the day getting up close and taking definitive photo of many types of plants and flowers, in just the right lightning. You will have opportunities.
After you get home, look through your saved photos. I predict over 50% will be topiary.
Have a great "Alice in Wonderland" adventure.
Jul 26, 2019 12:24:33 #
hogesinwa
Loc: Dalyellup Western Australia
My wife and I travelled extensively on our yacht and when visiting any city it was always 1. Museum 2. Art Gallery then 3. Gardens. I took a zoom and my 90mm macro. The zoom is my 18-400 Tamron, for its light weight, not my 28-300 Canon.
Many gardens give you the opportunity to get up close, like the orchid room of Marie Selby in Sarasota, or the cactii hothouse in the Jardin Real in Madrid. I'm sure there are many more. Those 2 lenses were sufficient. No tripod (many places do not permit)
Gardens everywhere! I can't get enough of them. Last year I went all the way to northern Portugal to visit the gardens of the Mateus Rose Estate.
Many gardens give you the opportunity to get up close, like the orchid room of Marie Selby in Sarasota, or the cactii hothouse in the Jardin Real in Madrid. I'm sure there are many more. Those 2 lenses were sufficient. No tripod (many places do not permit)
Gardens everywhere! I can't get enough of them. Last year I went all the way to northern Portugal to visit the gardens of the Mateus Rose Estate.
Jul 26, 2019 12:44:59 #
The focal length is always a concern in gardens. Most of the time you do not have the space needed for the focal length for a long zoom lens. Even some longer primes have longer focal lengths. Space in gardens has two limitations, the width of rows and other people. To allow you to be close to the flowers macro lenses are usually the lenses preferred by photographers.
The 28-70 lens should be OK. The 35mm might be better as you only have one focal length to know.
The 28-70 lens should be OK. The 35mm might be better as you only have one focal length to know.
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