Holiday Hints

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mrphilk

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Phil
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Hi,

I have recently purchased my firs DSLR and have gone with the Canon 450D with the kit lens and an extra zoom lens (15 - 55 and 75 - 300 it think).

I have bought this as a treat for myself before I go on holiday in August and plan to make the most of getting to know the camera etc before then.

For now I am after a few hints etc on what I might need when I get there. We are off to new york and then to las vegas.

I want to take a few night shots in vegas, as well as in new york (scenery etc). We will also be taking a helicopter ride so I want to get a few aerial shots in, as well as a few of the grand canyon.

I am also worried about the bright sun in vegas, will my camera be ok or should I consider getting some sort of shield or UV filter?(im not sure of the technical term :-) ).

Obviously my budget is now at a low as I just forked out for the camera but any information on extra kit or ideas would be super!

I dont want to get back and think I wish id done this or that etc.
 
Circular polarizer and a rocket blower
 
Tripod or monopod is a must, I did both those destinations and regreted not having a graduated ND filter for some of my shots. A circular polarizer would be handy here and there as well.
Try and learn about using your camera as much as possible before going. Oh yes, Memory, memory, memory .......... lol. I took 3000 pics when I went ........ lol.
 
Oh and my other advice would be to shoot in RAW, it will take a lot longer processing pic's but as your not used to using your camera it will allow you a greater deal of flexability and much less of that "wish I had done this or that"
 
Definitely a uv filter and circular polariser, the sun is very bright, a tripod is a must for night shots in vegas and lots of memory cards because there is so much to photograph in las vegas.amazing place.
 
As above with the filters and memory cards, but probably worth getting a battery grip with a couple of spare batteries...... especially in Vegas
 
I second the filters, batteries, memory and tripod, you don't have to go mad and buy a £500 tripod, look for something lightweight but not flimsy so you don't take up all your luggage allowance. I also recommend getting a bag that is comfortable to carry with you, maybe a backpack or sling type, you can use it as your carry on if you choose carefully.

Just get out there and practice with the camera whenever you get the chance before you go away and have fun learning.
 
Is this your first trip to NYC/Vegas?

Both epic places to photo, but if its your first trip there, make sure you enjoy them rather than spending time trying to get the perfect picture and missing the fun of your trip pursuing the same.

Did a similar trip on my honeymoon, and tried to give myself at least one day of in each place to just wander round with a P&S so I actually saw the places, rather than just photographing them (espec if your other half is not as into photography).

Tripod and batteries good suggestions - memory card/storage more important imo though - plus use multiple cards changed frequently rather than storing hundreds on one card, just in case the worst happens and the card corrupts.

Oh, and start saving - you WILL want to go back to go and take the photos/see the places you could not on this trip - I guarantee it :thumbs:

Quick Vegas shot to get you in the mood for your trip:

caesars.jpg
 
Thanks for the ino guys. That picture is amazing!

Tripod - Check!

The rest, still to do.

I kind of know what a UV filter is but what is a circular polarizer? I know I could google it but sometime I prefer to ask :-)

Thanks again!
 
mrphilk said:
I kind of know what a UV filter is but what is a circular polarizer? I know I could google it but sometime I prefer to ask :-)
Click to expand...

Think sunglasses ;) Cuts reflections and brings out colour, especially sky.
 
Ok now for the next barrage of questions;

Just looked at the polarizers and UV filter(s) on jessops website.

Are they some kind of standard fitting, or would I need to get any kind of adapter etc to fit them?

Also the polarizers look pretty costy, would I maybe just be ok with a UV filter?

Can anyone show me some really sunny shots with these as examples just so I can see the effects :-)

Thanks again!
 
mrphilk said:
Ok now for the next barrage of questions;

Just looked at the polarizers and UV filter(s) on jessops website.

Are they some kind of standard fitting, or would I need to get any kind of adapter etc to fit them?

Also the polarizers look pretty costy, would I maybe just be ok with a UV filter?

Can anyone show me some really sunny shots with these as examples just so I can see the effects :-)

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Filters are made in various sizes to fit various lenses, your handbook or lens guide will tell you what size filter each lens will take, or take the lenses into Jessops with you.

A UV filter is advisable for both lenses, but would suggest a polariser just for the 15-55
 
If you get a tripod (why not look at redsnapper? lots of people here really pleased with them) get a remote shutter release too. Dont need a wireless one, a cable one is fine, under £20. It will just help you not to move the camera when pressing the shutter. Although you could put a couple of second delay on the shutter (from memory right circle button?)

Circular Polariser does a different job to a UV filter.. If you google you'll find out how a polariser works.. I just found this page so you compare, the last couple of shots show it best:
http://www.michaelpanda.com/blog/2008/09/monorail-blue-skies-sky-worship-v.html

For your kit lens you need 58mm filters, all threads are universal, you just need ot buy the right size. I am not sure about your other lens - but if you look at the front there will be a circle with a line through it with a measurement next to it - thats the filter size you need.

A polariser should be £20ish for the kit lens, look at KOOD stuff from www.premier-ink.co.uk or www.crookedimaging.co.uk
 
Bearing in mind other threads currently on here, I am surprised that everyone is suggesting a UV filter that has no photographic effect as digital sensors are not sensitive to UV and they can cause problems with flare.

The only point to a UV filter is to prevent dust getting on the front element of the lens - but it will still need cleaning. A good UV filter is still £15+ so that would be £30 towards more memory, etc.
 
Thanks for those links and the information.

I looked on teh jessops website and they are £70+ yesst on the crooked image site they are £12.

Obviously the £12 is looking good for me but what are the different grades (if any)?

Also would the 12 quid one do for me at my current experience/level?
 
Make sure you get a circular polarizer and not a linear polarizer -- the old linear type will confuse your exposure meter.
 
grahamsewelluk said:
Bearing in mind other threads currently on here, I am surprised that everyone is suggesting a UV filter that has no photographic effect as digital sensors are not sensitive to UV and they can cause problems with flare.

The only point to a UV filter is to prevent dust getting on the front element of the lens - but it will still need cleaning. A good UV filter is still £15+ so that would be £30 towards more memory, etc.
Click to expand...

:thumbs::thumbs:
 
Have a look in your local PC world for circular polerizers they are selling them all off pretty cheap for B+W coated ones I think the 58mm was £25
 
If your on a budget I wouldnt personaly bother with a UV filter, just take care of your kit. To be honest with the kit lenses you have they are very in expensive to replace anyway. I would spend the cash you have on a polorizer, memory and a good tripod. You will also need extra batteries.
 
Here's a few I took in Vegas and NYC, I was just learning about photography when I went and DIDN'T take a tripod or know much about techniques, I can't wait to return and have a better go ........... lol.

IMG_2006.jpg



IMG_0126.jpg



IMG_0288.jpg



IMG_05842.jpg



IMG_2339.jpg
 
wow they look good to me :-)

Im guessing the polariser would work well with night shots too? in vegas with all the lights etc.

Ill try it when Im there anyway just to see what happens lol

would a lens hood also help?

Thanks again for everything, im getting more excited now ha ha!
 
I though the kit lens with the 450D was the 18-55 IS? Is this the one you've got?

If it is, then a CPL is going to be pretty useless unless you've got the camera mounted on a tripod. This is because the front elements of both your lenses will rotate when you focus, thus changing the effect of the CPL (the filter istelf rotates independantly of the lens to let you change the amount of effect the polarizer has).
If you're on a tripod, you can re-adjust it after focussing. If you're hand held, it gets very fiddley trying to do that.

As others have mentioned, a tripod for night time and landscape stuff will be pretty much essential. You might also want to look as a lens hood for the 75-300 as I don't believe it comes with one. The cheap versions on eBay are generally as good as the genuine Canon ones and a fraction of the price. They will also protect the front element of the lens.
 
mrphilk said:
Obviously my budget is now at a low as I just forked out for the camera but any information on extra kit or ideas would be super!

I dont want to get back and think I wish id done this or that etc.
Click to expand...

I have a UV filter on mine, more because a toddler is likely to stick jam on my lens than for any other reason.

You can spend loads of money on extra equipment that may help, but nothing beats practicing. Go into a city and take photos - day & night. Press different buttons and see what happens. Are you using green square or are you confident using semi-manual modes? And above all, read the manual and have loads of fun!
 
I don't get this idea that a CPL is useless if the front elent rotates. All you do is focus, set the CPL and maybe refocus slightly as you do final adjustments to the framing of the shot (which is minimal and should not twist the front element more than a few degrees) and Bob's your uncle.
 
mrphilk said:
Thanks for those links and the information.

I looked on teh jessops website and they are £70+ yesst on the crooked image site they are £12.

Obviously the £12 is looking good for me but what are the different grades (if any)?

Also would the 12 quid one do for me at my current experience/level?
Click to expand...

I don't think that Jessops are all that cheap for filters. Probably the highest quality easily available are the Hoya Pro1D ones (?), but they are far from cheap.

The KOOD ones are not the highest quality in the world, but I think you'll be fine with one of those for now.

The UV filter thing has been done to death, I have seen flare caused by car headlights or sunlight both with and without UV filters.
I don't believe I've ever seen image quality in my pictures suffer from using one. I think its piece of mind for a little extra front element protection.
 
grahamsewelluk said:
I don't get this idea that a CPL is useless if the front elent rotates. All you do is focus, set the CPL and maybe refocus slightly as you do final adjustments to the framing of the shot (which is minimal and should not twist the front element more than a few degrees) and Bob's your uncle.
Click to expand...

OK, useless was maybe a bit harsh, but unless you're stationary and shooting a pretty stationary object it's gonna be tricky.
You'll be holding the camera with one hand, adjusting the CPL with the other and trying to get a steady shot :shrug: I suspect you'll end up with worse shots because of faffing with the CPL than if you'd not bothered to use it at all.

On a tripod, where you've got time to compose and adjust before firing the shutter then it'll be fine.
 
Personally if your going to vegas, which I did in September 2 weeks after buying my first DSLR there are loads of photo opertunities but I wouldnt be takeing a tripod out and about with me, great if your going to take photos but if your going for a holiday/break away and taking a camera a tripod is over kill. The walkways at night are very busy especially where they are doing building work or infront of the on strip attractions during show time there isn't enough room to move outside treasure island for 30 minutes before and after the sirens show (which is like power rangers with hot woman and blokes) never mind with a tripod just stopping to grab a photo causes problems. I would take a table top or a gorrilla pod at most, there are loads of railings to attach it to or walls to sit it on.

I know it would be nice to take and use a tripod but the places are just too busy pretty much all the time to allow setting up and spending a few minutes getting the shot right. Just take the camera and enjoy the trip, I didn't have a problem with the sun that much a few shots with blown areas where most of the frame was dark or in shade but never mind I was new to the camera so I didn't know what I know now. You won't have that problem with plenty of time to play.

A CPL will be great for the grand canyon there is no light and dark areas just very bright and very hot. hey another reason why you don't want to be lugging a load of gear about.
 
I was planning on what you said john.

I plan to take the tripod out for one night and one early morning and thats it. The rest will be handheld. Theres a group of use going also and im pretty sure they dont want me fannying around every ten minutes lol.

Thanks for all your help. I bought a CPL (Hoya) one from Jacobs the other day. All your hints helped with my barage of questions lol.

Im also thinking of now getting the Cannon 1.8 EFII (think thats right) lens. ITs £89(ish) so a steal for my budget. Also reckon it will make those casino gambling shots look super duper!
 
Be careful when shooting in the casinos, I tried takeing some more artistic shots of a roulette table got a few from one end and moved to the other to try for movement shots on the ball in the wheel thing and was asked not to take photos of the games by security. I got in trouble a few years before while takeing photos during the ballenceing show in the tropicana as I was also taking photos of the slots as well during changes. Security don't miss a thing over there.

If you have a group of people a cool thing to visit is the bone yard, it will eventually be a museum when they get the cash together but they have loads of old vegas signs and part of it was used in CSI they found a bloke dead on one of the signs. A wide angle is usefull as some of the signs are huge 18mm wasnt wide enough I did borrow a 17mm in there and that made a huge difference I wasn't really expecting it to make that big a difference. Ohh yeah take bottles of water with you as it gets hot while walking round it there isn't that much shade. You also need to book the tour so contact them before you go.
Another thing that suprised me is the shows if you go see any don't forget to take the camera, I saw Ronn Lucas and he said phots were allowed so I shot away, the last time I went we saw Terry Fator but I left the camera in the hotel for this one never thought it would be allowed but he made a point of saying take photos and take video but don't record the whole show he made a joke of how people sneak them in anyway. I wish I had taken it with me when I heard that there were cameras everywhere. On the other had I went to see Oasis in 2005 at the house of blues in Vegas and sneaked the camera in and really got in trouble on that one for takeing photos LOL.
 
The water is the biggest tip (this is my second trip there). When we went a few years ago my friend got rushed to hospital with heat exhaustion (spelling?).

It was scary at the time but hilarious now when we look back.

Still thanks for the info. Ive never heard of the Bone Yard, where is it? Can you only see it on a tour?

It sounds really cool.

Also I hadnt thought about the casino thing, now you mention it im not sure if your aloud camera in there or not, I cant remember. I guess I could just try my luck lol
 
Its not called the boneyard officially it is part of the neon museum or will become the neon museum once its all finished it is where they store the old signs prior to restoration you walk past some of it and think they should just recycle it. There is a small selection of restored signs round the Fremont street area. Tours need to be planned at least a week in advanced, there is no walk up tours and they won't let you go on the tour if your wearing open shoes due to all the broken glass on the floor. It costs $15 each. It is constantly changing as they start new parts for the museum renovate signs and as a result they close it occasionally so another reason you need to prebook to make sure they are running a tour.

You don't realise the size of the signs till your standing next to them on the floor and it makes you think about the signs still in use on the strip and other hotels how big they must be.

http://www.neonmuseum.org it is up past the top end of the strip 5-10 minute taxi ride.
 
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