Eastern State Pen, which lens?

[mishele]

Eastern state is a great place to visit, even if you don't bring your camera! I've done the tour a couple times, it's a 20 minute drive in traffic from me. If you want suggestions on other places to shoot around the city, I know them all!

I might hit you up on some suggestions!!

 

[bogeyguy]

I am going to the Eastern State Penitentiary next week, was going to rent a nice lens since its a once in a lifetime deal, what lens would you rent? I was thinking the 24-70 2.8 II.

preferably a lens that can hold contraband inside of it for the inmates. LOL!

 

[usayit]

I made a few trips there.... its fun. Go very early on not-so-busy days. You will be working long exposures most of the time.... its dark. Sometimes the most interesting places are almost pitch dark.

What I used most of the time.

* Heavy tripod
* 24mm, 50mm focal lengths.
* Flashlight w/ some gels to put in front. Used to "paint" in dark areas.
* Remote release
* Second camera with 90mm macro. Lots of small interesting things to shoot.
* Knee pads (I shot low most of the time)
* Old cloths (its an old dusty place). Its not heated either. So dress warm if cold season.
* If you are sensitive to dust, maybe a painters mask.

Just a taste of what you can see...

8 second exposure, 24mm, using flash to "fill" in the dark areas.

One of the unrestored areas deemed "sustained state of ruin".

8 second exposure, 24mm, flash light again

There is a nice cafe across the street from the main entrance. Good sandwiches cold and hot w/ soups. I recommend walking across, order to go, and take it back to the prison area to eat. I ate alone... it was an eerie experience to soak in... it was quick and fast to spend more time shooting before the tourists arrived. One of the photographers I was with decided to skip eating because she didn't want to stop.


Its huge..... a photographer can spend a couple days there to explore and shoot. Al Capones' cell is probably the most famous of the areas. You can only shoot through a small window. I recommend not waiting (spending time) to see that exhibit. All the shots people take all look the same... just look and move on to more interesting things. The other famous area is the barber's chair. Again... I took a few shots just like everyone else but I found other areas far more interesting. I also recommend putting the camera away (if you have time) and taking one of either the tours or self guided pre-recorded tools. This place has a huge historical value to modern buildings and our US history..... its a good learning experience. First wagon wheel designed building with mirrors to make it easy to monitor (pre-dates modern security camera). One of the earliest buildings with electrical, plumbing, and sewer. How the building and structure changed along with how we viewed crime and treated those that committed (From ol' Penitence days to the days of lockup).

Have fun!

 

[sactown024]

Wow thanks for then info, it sounds like my wife and kid will want to sit out if its that dusty like you say.

Good call on a flash light, I def would not have brought one if you isn't mention that, did you use a LED white flash light or a normal tungsten style?

I don't have an awesome tripod but its not terrible, it's a promaster. I have a 50mm 1.8 and it sounds like the 16-35 won't be too bad since you shot mostly at 24mm

 

[thetrue]

Really, I would get a hold of a 10-22 if you could. Awesome lens, although not quite as fast as the 16-35 2.8, I love the ultra wide FOV the 10-22.

 

[TCampbell]

The 24mm focal length isn't very "wide" on an APS-C crop-sensor camera. A "normal" angle of view is in the neighborhood of 30mm (where the lens seems to be neither wide angle nor telephoto.) Since 24mm isn't that far away, it offers a "modest" wide-angle... but certainly nothing extreme. The 70mm end will provide just over a 2x magnification.

The 17-55mm lens is designed specifically for crop-sensors and it covers roughly the same angles of view that the 24-70 cover when used on a full-frame (I did say "roughly" because, by the math, they're not the same... just similar.) The 17mm end really is wide-angle (noticeably so) and the 55mm end is telephoto (close to, but not quite a 2x magnification.) It is a _very_ good lens... it's considered to be one of the best EF-S lenses made (I think the EF-S 60mm macro is probably the best EF-S glass I've encountered.) It's not an "L" series lens because it's EF-S. All "L" series lenses are designed for full-frame bodies (I'd say they're all "EF" except that's not true... two of the TS-E lenses are "L" series.)

If you have a crop-frame body and you have a choice between the 24-70 and the 17-55, take the 17-55. You'll find the 24mm is just not wide-enough in many areas.

My guess it that it'll be dim in many areas. You may want to bring along a lightweight tripod (if that's allowed).

If you're rental company can't get you the glass you want, LensRentals.com, BorrowLenses.com, B&H and Adorama all rent glass as well.

 

[usayit]

* oh yes... Tim made a good point. Just to clarify, I was using 24mm and 50mm on a full frame.

* I would still bring the kid and wife along. Its only dusty when you start getting low and close to areas that are "crumbly". Dust is only going to be bad if you disturb it.

* I brought along my full sized mag light which would be tungsten like... warmer.

* Not really sure about the tripod. Mine is an old beat up Bogen 3021 with a pan head... $35USD at a camera swap. I figure it should be ok if you use a remote release and be careful not to touch the tripod.

* Most of my photos were ~not~ shot wide open and all were shot on tripod. So not having a fast prime or fast zoom isn't going to be a deal breaker : wink.

 

[sactown024]

Thanks guys it sounds like the 17-55 is the way to go since I shoot a Canon 7D. I'm already having buyers remorse for not getting a 5D mark II

 

[sactown024]

ordered the 17-55 today! hope its a good lens!

 

[Village Idiot]

Our Strobist group rented the place out and got to shoot in there with models and lights.





U jelly?

 

[sactown024]

thats awsome, is it easy to get lost in there lol it looks big

 

[mishele]

Nah, you'll be fine. They give you a map. Some of the cool spots to shoot are only open at certain times during the day. You should try to look at the schedule as soon as you get there so you can figure out what you want to see.