Whitewater Photogs - favorite lens?

[22West]

Whats your favorite lens for shooting whitewater? I'm thinking a good telephoto is a must (something like a 70-200), but what else do you like to use?

Thx

[bkp]

I would tell you that lens choice has everything to do with what you are shooting, where you are shooting, the conditions you are shooting in and what your desired results are.

In my work I use everything from a 10.5mm all the way to a 600mm lens. It just depends on what kind of images you want to produce.

The 70-200mm lens is certainly a good all-around lens. And if you are looking to buy just one lens, a zoom is a good choice as it will give you the benefits of several lenses in one.

I am not sure if I helped you, but I would be happy to answer any questions you may still have and try to point you in the right direction for what you want to do.

Cheers,

-Bryan Kelsen
www.bryankelsen.com

[gapers]

THanks for the info,bkp. I just got a Rebel XTi and i'm tryin to figure out what lens to get.

[22West]

bkp-

First of all - nice website - theres some sweet shots in there.

Yes, I'm wondering what is a good all around lens for shooting whitewater. After looking at your portfolio, seems that a 70-200 would do the trick (and I'll start saving for a good wide angle).

I started shooting skiing this winter, mostly learning on my own, and I'm finally starting to produce some solid shots. I'd like to get into shooting whitewater, and I have an idea of how to do it(probably a lot like skiing), but are there any tips you could offer up on exposure, filters, flash, etc...

Thx

[Leland]

for taking the camera down the river, I really like my 24-135 f2.8-4.5 lens. It's versatile enough that lots of times I just carry that.

I also have an 80-200 f2.8 that I carry along when the light is low, or when I might shoot something from farther away.

Leland

tips for shooting whitewater:

if you're shooting digital, ramp the exposure to where just a tiny bit of the white parts of the water is blown out. you can bring the lows up in photoshop, but if you overexpose there's no getting that data back.

[22West]

Leland-

Thx for the tips - +1 over enough?

[Leland]

how much you push the exposure will depend on the camera and lens.

I use a d70, which allows you to view pictures with highlights (spots that are totally exposed) flashing on the screen. I take a shot of the frame before the boater runs the rapid, and look at the highlights (spots that are 100% exposed). Then I adjust the exposure, and take another shot. I keep doing this until I get the exposure to where just a bit of the whitewater is flashing as highlights. Then I signal the boater to come on through. It's tedious, but it beats guesswork and helps me get the shot almost every time.

note: sometimes on cloudy days, if there is sky in the picture the clouds will overexpose before the water. better to blow out the clouds and get it to where a little bit of the water is overexposed. better yet, zoom in and cut the sky out of the shot as much as possible at that point.

Leland

[bkp]

22,

Thanks for the kind words. The best advice that I can give you on improving your photography is to look at a lot of photographs. I still do it, and after 20-plus years of doing this for a living, I am still learning. If you have specific questions feel free to email me and I will be glad to give you some answers or suggestions. I also write a blog that may be of interest to you.

It is http://bryankelsenphotography.blogspot.com

Cheers,

-Bryan Kelsen
bryankelsen@msn.com

[raftus]

As other posters have said a lot of it depends on what shots you want to get and where you are shooting. I carry a 10-22 canon, a 28-75 Tamron f/2.8, and a 70-200 f/4L canon. Personally I haven't gotten into a situation where a bigger zoom was required, but the canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS is a well regarded lens and will give you extra reach for about the same price as the 70-200 f/4L. www.fredmiranda.com has a lot of reviews of various lenses.

Does anyone have experience using housings or bags while shooting in whitewater? Like these: http://www.keepitdrycase.com/35slrcamhous.html

One thing I haven't gotten very good at is being able to get to my camera quickly and stow it again - anyone have advise?

[bkp]

Raftus, go here for a few words on a housing...

http://bryankelsenphotography.blogsp...1_archive.html

I use one of the Uwe-Marine models.

-Bryan