Iceland (Page 5): I have done several guided tours and always take my monopod. Tripods are bulky and take time to set up. My carbon fiber monopod allows me to stabilize my camera for...

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

I have done several guided tours and always take my monopod. Tripods are bulky and take time to set up. My carbon fiber monopod allows me to stabilize my camera for many shots I could not get handheld. Small size, light weight, airplane friendly, crowd friendly, etc.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

An old trick to help stabilize camera
A lenght (4-5') of thin chain secured to short screw that fits tripod socket
Let chain drop, step on it, pull up while shooting; not as good as monopod, people will look at you funny but may save a shot

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Rgandel wrote:

I'm going to Iceland on a photography trip for 11 days with Natural Habitat. We'll be there in July. I have a Nikon D600 and a D5500. Any suggestions as to lenses I should bring and do I need a tripod?

Thanks

I use a full frame camera with a 24-240mm zoom as well as a bridge camera with a 24-600mm zoom. Most of my pictures were in the 50-100mm range; however, the 600mm came in handy for birds and other wildies.

bwa

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Rgandel wrote:

I'm going to Iceland on a photography trip for 11 days with Natural Habitat. We'll be there in July. I have a Nikon D600 and a D5500. Any suggestions as to lenses I should bring and do I need a tripod?

Thanks

Someone else posted this same question a few days ago -- you may want to look up that post as it also had a lot of good suggestions. One thing almost everyone posted was the need of a tripod. I suggested a variable neutral density filter since there were many great waterfalls and that filter will help capture water flow at a slower shutter speed giving it a more "milky" appearance. Also if someone hasn't mentioned it, a lens/camera bonnet since the waterfalls sometimes will produce a lot of mist.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Bridges wrote:

While I haven't been there yet, I have a friend who lives there and I have seen numerous photos of Iceland. It is on my bucket list of places to travel to. One impression I have of the place is they have numerous waterfalls. With this in mind, I would take a variable neutral density filter which could come in handy to photograph waterfalls in bright sunlight or to extend the shutter speed to give them a smoother, milky appearance.

Thanks

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Bridges wrote:

Someone else posted this same question a few days ... (show quote)

Thanks for the suggestions.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Ichiban365 wrote:

It is good that you have two cameras. Around the waterfalls there is so much spray in the air, it is not a good idea to be changing lenses. Change the lens inside the tour bus. I would suggest an 18-140mm for the D5500, and a 10-20 and 70-300 for scenics and birds.

I suggest a lens blower brush, or better, a small vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning cameras. The dust in Iceland is pumice, which is used for grinding lenses, and it is everywhere.

Great suggestions.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

bwana wrote:

I use a full frame camera with a 24-240mm zoom as well as a bridge camera with a 24-600mm zoom. Most of my pictures were in the 50-100mm range; however, the 600mm came in handy for birds and other wildies.

bwa

Thanks, good suggestions

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Bridges wrote:

Someone else posted this same question a few days ... (show quote)

Will get the filter. Good idea.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Bridges wrote:

Someone else posted this same question a few days ... (show quote)

Thanks

peter.zimmerman

I remember an August day on the north coast of Iceland (Myvatn area). In the AM I was in a short-sleeved shirt. By mid-day it was raining. In the early evening it was snowing. And the night sky was crystal clear with a faint aurora. So be prepared for any, and I mean ANY weather.

Let me add a lens suggestion. Bring something fast, as fast as you can afford and can stand to carry for twilight and bad weather shots. Whatever pleases you between 28mm and 75mm, but at least f/2.0 and preferably faster yet.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Rgandel wrote:

I'm going to Iceland on a photography trip for 11 days with Natural Habitat. We'll be there in July. I have a Nikon D600 and a D5500. Any suggestions as to lenses I should bring and do I need a tripod?

Thanks

Just about everyone so far has talked about the weather and protecting your equipment. Since I own Olympus equipment, that never crosses my mind. My camera system is weatherproof.

This got me thinking you might benefit from renting equipment for your trip. It is my suggestion that maybe you might want to rent a weatherproof Nikon 24-200 lens, polarizer, and body and then all else you would need is a soft artificial chamois, small microfiber towel, and microfiber cloth. Just take out insurance for what you rent if you feel you need to. Then you don't have to worry about rain gear - except for yourself and your extra batteries and chips.

I was timid with my Olympus gear at first. But now go out in the wind, dust, rain, snow, salt spray, and any other weather and clean up my camera under a gently running faucet and towel dry as necessary. Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Sony, and others are not going to let their weatherproof be any less than my Olympus system.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

peter.zimmerman wrote:

I remember an August day on the north coast of Ice... (show quote)

Thanks, I have a 50mm 1.8. I'll bring it.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

wdross wrote:

Just about everyone so far has talked about the we... (show quote)

Thanks, I have protective covers for my cameras.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

kvanhook wrote:

I have done several guided tours and always take my monopod. Tripods are bulky and take time to set up. My carbon fiber monopod allows me to stabilize my camera for many shots I could not get handheld. Small size, light weight, airplane friendly, crowd friendly, etc.

Thanks