Travel lenses OM-1: Later this month I get a chance to take the VIA ‘Canadian’ from Toronto Ontario to Vancouver British Columbia. While the train does not stop for long at any...

rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

Later this month I get a chance to take the VIA ‘Canadian’ from Toronto Ontario to Vancouver British Columbia.

While the train does not stop for long at any particular place it does have those ‘dome’ cars allowing you to capture some of the scenery as you travel across the country. I will spend time in Vancouver and then on Vancouver island in Victoria.

I could really appreciate some advice on the lenses I should take with me. One lens people suggest is the 12-200 but I do not own that lens. I would consider buying it but stock is such that it would arrive too late for my trip.

Thanks,
Ron

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45-150 or 45-200.

Hip Coyote

What lenses do you have now?

rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

Photography is my only vice so... 100-400, 8mm, 12-100, 40-150, 17mm, 45, 12-40, 300, 60mm macro, 7-14. The earlier post suggested 45-150. I think that might have been a typo, I have not seen that lens.

Hip Coyote

rappar wrote:

Photography is my only vice so... 100-400, 8mm, 12-100, 40-150, 17mm, 45, 12-40, 300, 60mm macro, 7-14. The earlier post suggested 45-150. I think that might have been a typo, I have not seen that lens.

Id probably take the 12-100. (I have that as my usual travel lens), the 100-400 for critters along the way and maybe the 7-14. I don’t like carrying the brick 7-14 but usually find some need for it every time! If the 17 is the smaller version I might take that as for shots in the train. No macro, no fixed 300.

This way you have 7 -400 covered or 14 to 800 ff equivalent.

rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

Is it worth bringing the 1.4 converter I have? And, thank you very much for your input.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

If I get this correctly, you plan to take pictures from a running train. Because of the motion, I do not think that a telephoto lens will be that useful. It is unlikely that you will see animals, and if you do you will have little time getting the shot. I have taken many shots from running trains (and buses), and I find a standard zoom most useful, like a 24-70mm full-frame equivalent.

Try to get as close to the window glass as possible to reduce reflections. You might consider a rubber hood that you can press against the window to eliminate glare. I would also consider booking a seat on the right-hand side in the running direction, which is going to be the shady side as you are traveling west. This helps you eliminate glare as the sun will not shine on the glass and into your compartment. Also reduce the exposure time as much as you can to reduce motion blur--1/1000 of a second would be ideal.

rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

Thank you for this. I hah looked into those rubber lens hoods but it looked like I would have to buy a few to cover the various lenses.

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rappar wrote:

Photography is my only vice so... 100-400, 8mm, 12-100, 40-150, 17mm, 45, 12-40, 300, 60mm macro, 7-14. The earlier post suggested 45-150. I think that might have been a typo, I have not seen that lens.

Not most common but not hard to find.

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Early OIS but on Olympus just turn it off.

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rappar Loc: Kingston Ontario

Thank you, I have never seen that lens.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

rappar wrote:

Later this month I get a chance to take the VIA ‘C... (show quote)

You could rent the 12-200 for your trip. Otherwise, the 17mm and 40-150 should cover anything you want landscape-wise.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

zug55 wrote:

If I get this correctly, you plan to take pictures from a running train. Because of the motion, I do not think that a telephoto lens will be that useful.

Don’t think in terms of a moving train. I rode from Chicago to Los Angeles in Nov 2016, and shooting from a moving train was often like standing on the ground, except that you will have a limited time to take a photo. The farther away you are from something, the more slowly it will seem to move.

foconno2

12-40 2.8, 40-150 2.8, 2x converter for the 40-150.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Stick with Pro lenses. The 12-100 (24-200 FF equivalent) would be my first choice. That lens has image stabilization (ILIS) which is incredible, and will make a big difference if you’re shooting from a moving train. If you need more reach, use a converter.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Peteso wrote:

Stick with Pro lenses. The 12-100 (24-200 FF equivalent) would be my first choice. That lens has image stabilization (ILIS) which is incredible, and will make a big difference if you’re shooting from a moving train. If you need more reach, use a converter.

I’m not sure how good the track will be. Image Stabilization will help with rough track and with your moving.