Mauribix Posted November 16, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 16, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, i need advice on what lenses to carry with me this Sunday. I'm gonna make a trip between the waves in the Ligure Sea to try to see (and shots with my M8) some whales from a Boat. I'm gonna make some pictures with some friends of an Italian Association of Naturalistic Scientist. What lenses would you carry with you? and what precautions would you take with your M8? I'm afraid of salt water and all the things that goes with it... I would like to carry no more than 2/3 lenses and i have a set of lenses so composed: 90elmarit (current version) 90elmar c f4 summilux 75 elmar 50 summilux non-asph 35 Summicron 28 Elmarit 28 WATE and a 15 CV i decided for the 90elmarit (current version) (even because it's the best lens to use against the sun and between waves's reflection)+ 15CV and maybe lux35. what do you think? Thanks a lot to you all Best Regards Maurizio MAURIZIO BEUCCI.com - Official web site Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 Hi Mauribix, Take a look here M8 goes with the whales.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
don_panko Posted November 16, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 16, 2007 My experience with taking pictures of whales on the west coast of Canada is not good. They come up for air every 15 minutes so you have no idea where they will be. The best you might get is a picture of a tail as it descends. The tour operators have large Zodiac inflatable boats and if the sea in rough they like making the passengers sick or at least scaring them with high speed turns in big waves. Long focal lengths on a moving boat also are a problem and if the water is cold you will be wearing an insulated floater suit and a rubber coat with hood on top of that. I suggest that you leave the M8 locked up at the hotel and take along something else if you really want to hold on to a camera. Better that you hold on to the boat and buy some postcards. On the other hand if this is a pro shoot for a National Geographic then you are right to be prepared with a few lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canlogic Posted November 16, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 16, 2007 I had the opposite experience but on the east coast. Our operator was very careful to try and make the boat as steady as could be for photography and positioned the boat well. I think if I had a crew like yours they would have got a tripod leg in the nuts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmanzz Posted November 16, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 16, 2007 I also had a great experience in both Tofino BC and Hawaii. At the time i had a Nikon D70 and a 80-200m lens. The whale trip operators have to stop at a certain distance and can't go closer, in that case you need a very long lens. If you lucky on that day, the whales can come to you and a shorter lens will do. Still, i would recommend at least the 90mm and then probably the 50mm(in case you are very lucky). The 80-135 length is where a lot of my shots were taken at. It will be very challenging to get the shots and acurate focus, unless its killer whales that are hunting, the whales come up and then go down very quickly. If you are with a group of scientists, they may be able to get very close and splashes are possible, you just have to be ready. The boats will not get close enough to really be engulfed by water as that would be irresponsible, so it will just be splashes. Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlancasterd Posted November 16, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 16, 2007 I also had a great experience in both Tofino BC and Hawaii. At the time i had a Nikon D70 and a 80-200m lens. The whale trip operators have to stop at a certain distance and can't go closer, in that case you need a very long lens. If you lucky on that day, the whales can come to you and a shorter lens will do. Still, i would recommend at least the 90mm and then probably the 50mm(in case you are very lucky). The 80-135 length is where a lot of my shots were taken at. It will be very challenging to get the shots and acurate focus, unless its killer whales that are hunting, the whales come up and then go down very quickly. If you are with a group of scientists, they may be able to get very close and splashes are possible, you just have to be ready. The boats will not get close enough to really be engulfed by water as that would be irresponsible, so it will just be splashes. Ron My experience with boats working out of Seward and Juneau in Alaska was similar - they are big, fairly stable, boats and aren't allowed to go in too close to whales. I was using an Angenieux 70-210 on an R8 and it wasn't any too long. I wouldn't want to try using an M8 for this type of work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sm23221 Posted November 16, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 16, 2007 Having been on several of these, logic tells you to use the longest lens you own. Because they can surface in any location I would recommend a normal lens and crop. I've seen them surface 25 ft from my camera. You need luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 17, 2007 Share #7 Posted November 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Do you want to be changing lenses out at sea like this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 17, 2007 Share #8 Posted November 17, 2007 I think a 135 if you own it is the best compromise. Not too long to handle on the boat and enough space in the viewfinder to see what is happening around enabling you to actually capture the action. I think you'll be very pleased with the M8. It renders the water so beautifully. Not a whale, but taken in similar circumstances with the TE 135 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbayon Posted November 17, 2007 Share #9 Posted November 17, 2007 These pictures are from Hermanus, Cap Town, South Africa . last month Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! A too huge crop from a 135 Apo Telyt 3,4 and the M8 maybe but the whales where at least at 150 meters from the beach. I also tried to use my Summicron 75 but it was not enough to see something. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! A too huge crop from a 135 Apo Telyt 3,4 and the M8 maybe but the whales where at least at 150 meters from the beach. I also tried to use my Summicron 75 but it was not enough to see something. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/38236-m8-goes-with-the-whales/?do=findComment&comment=404913'>More sharing options...
Mauribix Posted November 19, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted November 19, 2007 Hello to you all Guys, and thanks for all you attentions! This week no whales showed at all, but all the scientist considered 'em lucky by seeing a rare seagull, this week i'm gonna show 'em mi pictures. It was really an amazing sail, no terrific crew on the boat. Finally the set i've choosen was the 90elmar + 75lux (almost unused) + 15cv (to take some scenes in the boat). The 90 and the CV performed really really well, especially because of their resistance to reflections and sun. I was unliky with the whales, but i get some pictures of dolphins and seagulls that i'll let you see soon. Thanks really a lot! Maurizio MAURIZIO BEUCCI.com - Official web site Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauribix Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted November 20, 2007 Here is the report.... hope you'll enjoy. Best Regards Maurizio Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/38236-m8-goes-with-the-whales/?do=findComment&comment=407578'>More sharing options...
Mauribix Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted November 20, 2007 and here some more.... The waterproof kit was so composed: a plastic bag with some elastic to seal the m8 and two holes (one for the VF and one for the lens). That's all..... thanks again for all your time guys! best regards Maurizio MAURIZIO BEUCCI.com - Official web site Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/38236-m8-goes-with-the-whales/?do=findComment&comment=407586'>More sharing options...
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