Thanks Longshadow. Any recommended lenses for shots there?

My wife and I are planning about a week in Charleston, SC in mid June. She has been there once and I have never been. Looking for suggestions for photo opportunities, historical sites, breath taking scenery, etc.

Best sections of town to stay in for both quality of life and safety if we wander out, especially at night....

Interested in history of area both nautical and land based and photographing same. My experience with tour buses in other places is that I don't get good shooting opportunities--people in the way and the buses go too fast!

Walking tours ok if not too long. She is late 60's and I am 70 and it will be hot there so walking cannot be terribly far in the heat.

Wondering if horse drawn carriage rides would be good or if they are too crowded. Slower and smaller group I would hope than a bus, etc.

Also wondering about places to simply drive the rental car to and from, etc.

Suggestions as to what not to miss as well as any tourist traps to avoid would be most appreciated.

Primary interest is photographing the historical sites, landscapes, seascapes, etc.

Am planning to take my Canon 5DIII and three lenses: a 16-35 f4L, a 24-105 f4L and a 70-300 f4-5.6L. Probably throw in my f1.8 nifty-fifty for night time and a monopod. Is this overkill? If so which lenses to take and which to leave at home? All will be carried in quality Lowe Pro back pack with hip straps to transfer weight to my hips and off my shoulders. Will also likely take my Sony RX10 III (f2.5-4, 24mm-600mm) and as over all backup. Would not be carrying both cameras at the same time though. That way if the Canon gets too heavy, I could always fall back on the Sony.

I realize this has become long. If you are still with me, please give me your thoughts and the benefits of your experiences. Thanks to all!

Tom

I bought the Sony RX10 III for a cruise last year, to carry instead of my Canon 5DIII and various lenses. It does not replace the Canon body or glass for me but it takes great pics with only one lens, which can be great for travel.

It can take wonderful pictures but I have two complaints: Autofocus is very slow if trying to focus on birds anywhere near 600mm. And the Sony menu system is horrible (at least if you have years of experience with the Canon system which I am used to).

The III is a really good camera. I hear the IV focus is much better but have no experience there. Will I upgrade to the IV?? Not until Sony comes out with something "later and greater" so that the price on the IV comes way down, like it has on the III. I bought the III on ebay last fall used but just about "as new" for about $600. At that price, it is a GREAT camera in my opinion.

Not to hijack the threat, but I am currently considering purchasing a Lowpro Flipside 400 AW II. Can anyone with experience with this bag tell us whether it will fit under the seat in front of me on domestic flights? Small regional jets?

Great shots James! I see you are enjoying the move up to the Mark IV!

This we should all remember!

Mark, thanks for taking us there. I noticed you were wearing a short sleeve with snow on the ground. I could not do that! Nice scenery!

Tom

No problem. I misunderstood and thought they were the same shot except for settings. I have seen long exposures used to intentionally remove people from shots where they were walking through the area being shot and were not wanted in the shot etc. Since pants were not in second, I assumed she removed them immediately into your time exposure and that somehow they were not there long enough to register.......thought if you did that on purpose, I definitely wanted to understand the technique. Regardless, I enjoy yours and your models posts......especially this accidental long exposure shown here.

I like it a lot. Very interesting. No idea she had panties on until exposure 2. Can you explain how that happened?

I like it too. Very nice.

Breakthrough Photography's website gives advice as to which filter to use for specific situations.

Great shots Paul! I enjoyed our trip there via these shots.

Back in the 60's a friend wanted one of those Instamatic jobs and did not have the $20 or so to purchase. He did have a Zeiss Icon Contessa, a small travel sized range finder camera with a 45mm Tessar 2.8 mm fixed lens. The camera folds compactly or opens with a short bellows design. These high quality cameras were made in Stutgart, Germany between 1950 and 1955. His father had brought it back from Korea. My friend had no interest or idea how to use it.

I had no idea how to use it but gave him the $20 he wanted, went to the library checked out a book and was on my way! I still have that camera and it still takes very nice shots! For fun I looked on ebay a minute ago........value appears to be between $100 and $150. I would not sell mine for that!

Quite a difference! Thank you for showing us that difference.

Yes, I would also! Great shots!