Looking for some advice

[briyo2289]

Hey,

I have a few questions. Here is some background: I took a photography class in high school (about 7 years ago). At that time I bought a Canon EOS Rebel GII, which is the camera I still own. I would like to get back into photography, and have been presented with an oppurtunity to do so that is exciting. Two of my professors are going to China this summer to do a documentary and I have the chance to go along.

So here are my questions:

1) Is the EOS Rebel GII a good camera? I works fine with basic tasks, but I have never pushed it beyond simple things.

2) What lenses would be good to have? If I go to China, My photography will be primarily nature scenes, insides of caves, and scrolls/texts. I also am interested in having a lens that would be useful in a variety of settings.

3) What is a good book I can get that will help me remember some of the basic techniques and skills I was taught years ago and have forgotten?

Thanks for the help. Any comments or reccomendations are much appreciated!

 

[Vinny]

Cameras have changed in the last 7 years for the better and I guess the question is what type of lenses do you own? All photography is the same but newer cameras may give better results.

Nature may require wide angle for landscapes and telephoto (zoom) for animals. Caves may require wide angle and a good flash. Text and scrolls probably a 35 or 50 mm lens (not sure on this), maybe no flash so you might need a tripod.

As far as a book - Understanding Exposure is a great refresher/beginner book.

 

[tirediron]

It depends greatly on how important your role will be. That is: Are you there as the expedition photographer and your images are critical to the final project, or, are you there simply because you could be, and if you get some good images, that's great, if not, no harm, no foul.

In either case, I wouldn't bother with your current camera. Film has always been a pain to travel with, and these days, with airport security being what it is, your chances of simply being allowed to pass a few dozen lead-foil bags through the scanner are somewhere between '0' and 'Not a ****ing chance'.

If your role is the former, than I would look to a fairly substantial kit in either Canon or Nikon full-frame. I would invest in three bodies and and five lenses covering the <20mm to 200mm with fast apertures. I would also invest in a macro lens and a tilt-shift lens. Additionally, at least two (preferably 3 or 4) good speedlights, as well as a boat-load of batteries (for both camera and speedlight) and memory cards. You'll also need a laptop with integral DVD burner; fill a card, burn 2 DVDs - keep one, mail the other home.

If the latter, it really depends on budget and space. Personally, I would take every bit of gear I could carry to the point of sacrificing clothing for an opportunity like that, but if budget and space is tight then something like the Canon G12 would be a great choice (again with lots of spare batteries and memory cards) or the Nikon D7000 with an 18-200 and 105mm macro lenses.

Additionally, as mentioned, a tripod and remote release are critical, as well as voltage converters for your chargers, and lots of cleaning supplies.

 

[briyo2289]

Thanks for the advice Vinny and Tirediron. The only lense I have right now is the lens that came with the camera. It goes from 28-90mm and has a macro zoom. If I go I will not be officilly in charge of anything, but it would be helpful if I could collect some nice photos.

I'm sorry for my complete lack of ignorance (and my many questions), but if I get a digital camera I will also have to invest in editing software correct?

Also, Tirediron, you mentioned the Canon G12. Can you reccomend some other middle-of-the road digital bodies?

Aside from traveling, is the camera I have (Rebel GII) any good? I realize that this is a contreversial question, but is digital all-around a better choice?

Again, thanks for the help.

 

[Vinny]

I am assuming your camera is a 35mm SLR so your only limiting factors are film and lens. Digital is just another way to take photos. I stopped taking film photos due to processing around me is horrible and I didn't want to get into the mail order end of it. I would make sure that you can pack many rolls of film and possibly rent some lenses.

Your lens is a wide angle (anything under 50mm is considered wide) to short telephoto. I probably would supplement it with a wider lens (10 -20 mm zoom(?)) and longer lens (70 - 300 mm zoom(?)) although fixed length focal length lenses will give better results.

You don't need to invest in software, the camera will come with some and there's some free stuff out there - GIMP, Picasa, Photoscape and Raw Thereapee (spelling?). There's also paid for stuff such as Photoshop, AcDsee, lightroom and such.

As far as sorry ... I have been taking photos for about 30 years and digital is all new to me. The only way to learn is to ask!