Equipment for Kew Garden

[anda]

Hi Guys,

Planning on going to kew gardens this weekend for the celebration they are having alot is happening there... Anyone planning to go?

I was wondering what lens do you think would be most suitable? I have 50mm and 70-200. I was thinking of renting a lens for the day either 16-35 or 100mm macro. What do you think would be more appropriate?

Thanks

 

[woof woof]

I think I'm a bit far away to go but if I was going I think I'd be more tempted by a 17-50mm f2.8 than a 16-35mm, on crop anyway, but the macro would be a great idea.

Personally I think I'd be tempted to take a DSLR with macro lens and my LX5 for the wider shots and I'd take my GF1+20mm f1.7 too for any indoor / low light shots.

 

[anda]

yeah on a crop body 17-50mm would be nicer but calumet doesnt rent those lenses maybe someone know any other rental place in central london? I might have to take my dad panasonic for wide shots not sure yet...

 

[MatBin]

Kew is a huge place and there are many photo opportunities, what you have listed will do fine (50 and zoom). depending on what you shoot or want to shoot will define whether you want to hire anything else. We used a 70/200 with and without tubes in a couple of the houses but equally a 100 macro would be good.
WA - well I've never been a fan of WA so if that's your style then by all means hire one but I found there was sufficient space to frame with a 28/135 zoom for the wider angle stuff I wanted even on a crop body.

What I did find was the 50D I was using didnt like having the lens replaced inside the butterfly (i.e. humid) house as it screwed the electrics till I got home, in fairness it did recover and has been fine since, so make sure you have the lens you want to use on the body before you enter (especially if its cold outside).

I'd also take a flashgun.

You probably know but they have a huge carpark by the side of the Thames, the entrance is a bit hidden, its just as you come over the bridge (from the North) on your right down a small alley. I think its about £6/day now.
Its also worth getting a "train" ticket (unless you like walking )

Other than that if the rain holds off you should have a good day.

 

[anda]

Usually i am ok with the zoom, but since i dont know kew i was worried that it might be too long. So i will have to think on what to do, hate renting stuff as I could put that money to saving towards a lens which I will be able to keep and calumet asks for the full price of the lens as deposit which I feel is silly, (so when i rent a car if i had to leave full price of the car then all holidays would be without cars )

Feel like kicking myself for selling 24-70 it was such a good all rounder, but too late now

They have a train inside Kew? Its been so long since i went there last...

Yeah the rain is a problem, but I hope it doesnt rain (fingers crossed)

 

[MatBin]

Usually i am ok with the zoom, but since i dont know kew i was worried that it might be too long. So i will have to think on what to do, hate renting stuff as I could put that money to saving towards a lens which I will be able to keep and calumet asks for the full price of the lens as deposit which I feel is silly, (so when i rent a car if i had to leave full price of the car then all holidays would be without cars )

Feel like kicking myself for selling 24-70 it was such a good all rounder, but too late now

They have a train inside Kew? Its been so long since i went there last...

Yeah the rain is a problem, but I hope it doesnt rain (fingers crossed)

"trains" - small car towed trucks, sit 6 people in, about 5/6 in a row - single day ticket, they have open sides but screens can drop down, touristy sort of thing, saves walking, hop on hop off at stops around teh place, website might have details.

Matt

 

[anda]

Thanks for the information Matt, much appreciated...