Which would work better?

[oliviansmom17]

...Planning ahead for my next trip to the World and I'm wondering which lens would work better - i.e. which would I use more often: 60mm f2.8 or 18-135 f 3.5-5.6?
We're going in December and many people have mentioned how bright it is, (I can't imagine it being brighter!) at WDW at that time. Would it be too bright for the 60mm? Is that even possible?
I'm going to bring both, but it would be nice to carry a smaller lens....

 

[CM-James]

It isn't realy possible for it to be too bright for a lens you would just need to use a smaller aperture, a faster shutter speed, or a slower iso speed. You can use the 60mm no problem. The bright light will let you use faster shutterspeeds and get less blur when you do hand held shots.

 

[oliviansmom17]

It isn't realy possible for it to be too bright for a lens you would just need to use a smaller aperture, a faster shutter speed, or a slower iso speed. You can use the 60mm no problem. The bright light will let you use faster shutterspeeds and get less blur when you do hand held shots.

Thanks!

 

[handicap18]

We went in December of '07. I brought my Nikon D50 and mostly used the 18-135mm lens. I also got a lot of use out of my 30mm f/1.4 and 70-300mm VR lens (mostly at AK). Occassional use of the 50mm f/1.8 and 90mm f/2.8.

I would bring both, if thats all you have. You'll mostly use the 18-135, but the 60 f/2.8 will come in handy for the night parades (Spectro and MVMCP if you go) Though with Spectro even at f/2.8 thats still kind of narrow. If you get a good spot for MVMCP (again, if you choose go) parade then the 60 f/2.8 should do fine. A good spot with extra light is in Frontierland on the steps directly in front of The Diamond Horseshoe.

For the Osborne Lights at DHS the 60mm might be to tight for a lot of shots. You might be better off with the 18-135 at a high ISO and the widest aperture (f/3.5-4 range) on the 18-40mm end of the lens. If you have a tripod, that is better. Then you can use the lower ISO (200) and not worry about the shutter speed.

 

[Gdad]

I would also add that Disney is a great place to walk around with a macro lens- lots of interesting little details- flowers- etc. I would definately take the 60/2.8.

 

[oliviansmom17]

We went in December of '07. I brought my Nikon D50 and mostly used the 18-135mm lens. I also got a lot of use out of my 30mm f/1.4 and 70-300mm VR lens (mostly at AK). Occassional use of the 50mm f/1.8 and 90mm f/2.8.

I would bring both, if thats all you have. You'll mostly use the 18-135, but the 60 f/2.8 will come in handy for the night parades (Spectro and MVMCP if you go) Though with Spectro even at f/2.8 thats still kind of narrow. If you get a good spot for MVMCP (again, if you choose go) parade then the 60 f/2.8 should do fine. A good spot with extra light is in Frontierland on the steps directly in front of The Diamond Horseshoe.

For the Osborne Lights at DHS the 60mm might be to tight for a lot of shots. You might be better off with the 18-135 at a high ISO and the widest aperture (f/3.5-4 range) on the 18-40mm end of the lens. If you have a tripod, that is better. Then you can use the lower ISO (200) and not worry about the shutter speed.

Did you set up a tripod for Spectro?

 

[oliviansmom17]

I would also add that Disney is a great place to walk around with a macro lens- lots of interesting little details- flowers- etc. I would definately take the 60/2.8.

The thought is sooo tempting, but the thought of hauling a tripod...not so much!
I plan to bring one along b/c our room is supposed to have a MK view so I thought I might attempt to get some fireworks shots from our balcony- thumbsup2 I've just gotta get over myself and bring one into the parks...

 

[Gdad]

Do you only shoot macros with a tripod?

 

[oliviansmom17]

Do you only shoot macros with a tripod?

Yes- I've really been struggling with getting the sharpness I want- all my images seem soft without the tripod. At least at f11-14....Got any tricks???

 

[TinksDH]

Yes- I've really been struggling with getting the sharpness I want- all my images seem soft without the tripod. At least at f11-14....Got any tricks???

Are you struggling with softness on macro shots? Or in general at f/11 - f/14? Believe it or not, some lenses actually start to defract at f/14, making the whole image seem soft. I don't know about the 60mm. Try taking a shot at wider apertures and pixel peep to see how soft it is. It may be sharper, but of course probably have less DOF. If you see the sharpness improve as you open it up a bit, you may have hit the limits due to diffraction.

 

[YEKCIM]

Yes- I've really been struggling with getting the sharpness I want- all my images seem soft without the tripod. At least at f11-14....Got any tricks???

What kind of shutter speed are you using? I've had problems capturing sharp flowers at small apertures, due to slow shutter speed and even slight subject movement. An ISO bump might be helpful if this is the case.

~Y

 

[handicap18]

Did you set up a tripod for Spectro?

Using a tripod for SpectoMagic does you no good. You need a lens with a WIDE aperture (minimum f/2.8, though f/1.8 or 1.4 is better) and a high ISO (1600 or 3200, depending on your camera and how much noise you consider acceptable). A shutter speed slower than 1/60th will give you motion blur.

Low light subject that moves. Very hard to photograph. You can use a flash but that will wash out all the great colors on the floats.


As for the tripod,,, most will fit in the lockers that are at the enterance of each park.

EPCOT at night is a great park for night tripod shots. Especially around the World Showcase & Illuminations. If you can get to Animal Kingdom for evening EMH, it is worth bringing the tripod for the ToL and EE lit up at night. DHS is also agreat with the Hat, ToT and RnRC. Of course the MK at night is always great. I love taking night shots around Disney. Definately worth taking the tripod IMO.

 

[oliviansmom17]

Are you struggling with softness on macro shots? Or in general at f/11 - f/14? Believe it or not, some lenses actually start to defract at f/14, making the whole image seem soft. I don't know about the 60mm. Try taking a shot at wider apertures and pixel peep to see how soft it is. It may be sharper, but of course probably have less DOF. If you see the sharpness improve as you open it up a bit, you may have hit the limits due to diffraction.

What kind of shutter speed are you using? I've had problems capturing sharp flowers at small apertures, due to slow shutter speed and even slight subject movement. An ISO bump might be helpful if this is the case.

~Y

I'm going to post two pics so you can see my problem and maybe give me pointers. I realized afterward that they were both shot at f10 to allow for less dof (both with tripod):

1/13 f10 ISO 800

1/10 f10 800

 

[oliviansmom17]

Using a tripod for SpectoMagic does you no good. You need a lens with a WIDE aperture (minimum f/2.8, though f/1.8 or 1.4 is better) and a high ISO (1600 or 3200, depending on your camera and how much noise you consider acceptable). A shutter speed slower than 1/60th will give you motion blur.

Low light subject that moves. Very hard to photograph. You can use a flash but that will wash out all the great colors on the floats.


As for the tripod,,, most will fit in the lockers that are at the enterance of each park.

EPCOT at night is a great park for night tripod shots. Especially around the World Showcase & Illuminations. If you can get to Animal Kingdom for evening EMH, it is worth bringing the tripod for the ToL and EE lit up at night. DHS is also agreat with the Hat, ToT and RnRC. Of course the MK at night is always great. I love taking night shots around Disney. Definately worth taking the tripod IMO.

I was thinking about the nifty fifty Might need to make that purchase pre-trip.....
Thank you for the pointers- I'm filling up a notebook that I keep in my camera bag!

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm going to post two pics so you can see my problem and maybe give me pointers. I realized afterward that they were both shot at f10 to allow for less dof (both with tripod):

1/13 f10 ISO 800

1/10 f10 800

Just guessing but it appears to either be slightly out of focus, or some subject movement, which the slow shutter speed would not stop. I don't know that you would get a lot more dof by going to f/11 or f/16, given it's a macro shot. I would try bumping the ISO up to give you a faster shutter speed and experiment with different apertures (f/8-f/11).

~Y

 

[TinksDH]

I really can't tell what's going on with the size of the images you posted, but they appear soft overall although I don't know where your focal point was!

Another nuance with macro is that AF doesn't always work well. Because of such small DOF, even with small apertures, focus can be a challenge. What I do is set my camera up on a tripod, use the AF to get it "prefocused", take a shot, then switch the lens to MF and "bracket" by focusing in slightly and taking a shot, then focusing out slightly and taking a shot.

Another possibility is "mirror slap". When you trip the shutter release and the mirror moves up out of the way, this vibrates the camera. It is usually more of an issue with longer lenses, as all that weight hanging off the end of the camera causes it to keep wanting to move. There are also certain shutter speeds where this phenomonen is at its worst. If you have a very short exposure, the movement isn't even seen. If you have very long exposure, the image takes so long to expose that this slight movement at the beginning of the shot won't really even be recorded. But at these intermediate shutter speeds (I've read it's at its worst from 1/30 to 1 sec but it varies) it is most noticable.

 

[TinksDH]

Here's a link to some tips on macro where the author discusses mirror slap, diffraction, etc.

http://www.insectography.com/how_to_macro/macrotips.html

 

[oliviansmom17]

I really can't tell what's going on with the size of the images you posted, but they appear soft overall although I don't know where your focal point was!

Another nuance with macro is that AF doesn't always work well. Because of such small DOF, even with small apertures, focus can be a challenge. What I do is set my camera up on a tripod, use the AF to get it "prefocused", take a shot, then switch the lens to MF and "bracket" by focusing in slightly and taking a shot, then focusing out slightly and taking a shot.

I do that as well- the "prefocus" part. I'll try taking those 2 extra shots, as well. Am I just asking too much of this lens?

 

[oliviansmom17]

Here's a link to some tips on macro where the author discusses mirror slap, diffraction, etc.

http://www.insectography.com/how_to_macro/macrotips.html

Thanks for the link- I've printed it up and added it to my camera bag o' tricks!

 

[oliviansmom17]

Just guessing but it appears to either be slightly out of focus, or some subject movement, which the slow shutter speed would not stop. I don't know that you would get a lot more dof by going to f/11 or f/16, given it's a macro shot. I would try bumping the ISO up to give you a faster shutter speed and experiment with different apertures (f/8-f/11).

~Y

I'm beginning to wonder if I need glasses...I never get what I see with this lens. Gotta whip out those readers.....
The flower was on a table so I'm pretty sure it's just me. I'm going to try a higher ISO next time w/ different apertures....