ireland trip lens selection

<p>Hi<br>

I am taking my frist trip to Ireland. I will be traveling with the family and we will have a car. I am taking a 5d with 24-105 and 16-35, as well as a flash and a lightweight tripod. We will be doing the usual touristy drives and looking at the countryside and castles. Although I tend to be a zoom in shooter, I think Ireland will allow me to really enjoy going wide.<br>

In your opinion(s) is it worth it to lug around the 70-200/4 (non-IS) in addition? It fits in my backpack, so I could take it, but it is a rather heavy total combination of gear.</p>

<p>thanks for your help.</p>

<p>I think for the weight, the 70-200 F4 is always a good lens to have around. Compared to some other lenses it is very light and manageable. Will you miss the 106-200mm length, that is something only you can really answer. I personally can't live without my 200mm length for things such as very narrow landscapes (castles etc). While going wide is the popular choice for landscape photography, many places have annoying details that get in the way when you go wide (telephone and electric lines for example).</p>

<p>If you are going to be along the west coast you will get the most use out of the wider lenses, especially the 16-35. The scenery along the coast is breathtaking and lends itself to the grander view. There are a lot of opportunities for using the telephoto though in and around the older castle ruins as well as in the small towns to isolate people and architectural details. As Eric said, given the little extra weight, why risk being without it?</p>

<p>Honestly, I can't imagine a trip like this (who knows if you'll ever be back there) without AT LEAST a 200. Personally I'd want even longer. I also am a zoom shooter and always find shots where I want to compress the elements. I'm sure if I was doing this trip I'd take all my lenses, including my PC. </p>

<p>Good advice. the 16-35 is a new acquisition. All my previous vacations with a DSLR were with a crop camera. I have been to California and Vermont with nothing wider than 24mm (x1.6) on a 20D. We are staying East/Central, but we will drive out to the west coast.You are all right. If I leave it at home, I am sure I would miss it. The world is too big to come back to Ireland without seeing some other places soon.</p>

<p>I spent some time in Northern Ireland last year. I had a 16-45 and a 80-200 for an APS-C DSLR; I'd say ~99% of my photos were with the 16-45. Of course everybody has different preferences and I'm still learning how to utilize telephotos for landscapes. So I agree with the others - doesn't hurt to take it along.</p>

<p>Here are examples of the stuff I came away with:<br /> http://iliang.smugmug.com/Europe-2010/landscapes/13641319_BPyfA#995628117_Ph7Ra</p>

<p>I drove through Ireland last year starting in Dublin, cutting straight through the center of Ireland over to Clifden, then down the west coast into Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry and back up to Dublin. I brought with me my 10-22mm (same as your 16-35 on a full frame dslr), a 35mm prime and a 50mm prime. My wide angle stayed on my camera most of the time. I wish I'd have brought a telephoto, especially when I was at the Cliffs of Moher, but I don't regret not having one either. If you have filters, bring a good circular polarizor and some GNDs. </p>

<p>Be prepared to get wet!</p>

<p>Right now in Ireland it is raining heavily everyday and probably will continue do to so for the foreseeable future, bring plenty of wet weather protection & lens cloths - don't underestimate the value of these. Also remember that on many days the distance you can see will be hampered by fog / low clouds.</p>

<p>My favorite locations are</p>

<p>1.) Achill island, there are abandoned stone cut villages, little bays & dramatic sea / landscape shots to be had all within 2 miles of each other at most.</p>

<p>2.) For a unique location to get a "different" shot of the famed cliffs of mohar, go to the public pitch & putt golf course (links) in Doolin, if you are there early in the morning you can often get sun / rain & the very dramatic image of clouds literally pouring off the cliffs down onto the Ocean all in the one shot, very rugged coastline that could keep you busy for days. The 70-200 is a must for this.</p>

<p>3.) Loop head - an exceptionally rugged & dramatic peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic, very wild place that many people ignore, its a long drive out there but IMO more than worth it, if you do go check out the bridges of ross, fantastic natural stone arches with these constantly huge waves rolling under them & battering the coastline, if you stay until sunset you will have the lighthouse illuminating the landscape.</p>

<p>If you are going to shoot any Irish pub music "sessions", esp in the west, get there at least an hour before they start to secure a spot, these pubs will turn into a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder & get quiet lively to say the least once the music & beer starts flowing....craic agus céol.</p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>If you enjoy Irish music, almost every town seems to have live music at one of the local pubs. Just ask around. If you are really into it, Dingle is a fantastic and scenic little town to get your fill.</p>

<p>If you follow Corey's path, I recommend a stop in Cashel for the Rock and Newgrange is a fantastic site.</p>

<p>Here are some of my pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/42766853@N03/sets/72157626776250282</p>