Desert photography

Russinating

Russinating

Russinating

Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2005
Posts
17,315
Location
Bristol
I'm travelling alone to Abu Dhabi and Dubai at the end of this month and I'll be taking some of our work kit with me to make it a good photo op. Nothing mega impressive (wish we had a 5DIII now) but it'll be a 60D, 10-20 f3.5, 50mm f1.8 and potentially a 100mm f2.8 Macro. That or the 70-200mm f2.8, as I'll need to leave one behind for work. I'm put off taking the 70-200mm because it's heavier and more cumbersome to use without a tripod, although I will be seeing the F1 which would make it useful (if I'm even allowed to take it in).

Anyway, the only filter any of the lenses have got is a UV on the 10-20mm due to the domed lens. I'm thinking I'll need a few more to protect the lenses from sand and possibly some NDs for shooting in the desert at 35c.

I'm clueless when it comes to filters so can someone recommend and spec me some?
 
Amp34 said:
I'm confused, why do you need an ND because of the 35 degree temp?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't saying I need them because of the heat, I was just trying to set the scene for a sun-baked desert :).

Thanks for your suggestions.

I've also thought a cheap and light tripod might be quite handy just for the odd long exposure shot. I'll probably do an overnight camp in the dessert so I can't pass up the opportunity to try and get some star trails but equally I don't want to be lugging my Manfrotto everywhere in a separate bag. Any have any ideas of a lightweight and very 'collapsible' tripod? Even if it needs supporting and only goes to waist height it'll be better than nothing.
 
Last edited:
I see :p

Looking at CPLs at the moment. Our Sigma 10-20mm needs an 88mm filter and the 50mm a 52mm. To be honest I doubt I'd need or use one for the 100mm/70-200mm so it's just those two.

The 88mm naturally seems to be fairly expensive whilst the 52mm as you guessed is cheap so should be better to just buy two rather than one 88mm and a step down. Unless you think otherwise?

Just emailed Yas Marina as well:

Dear Russell,

On behalf of Yas Marina Circuit, I would like you to know that having you here at the circuit in Abu Dhabi is our pleasure.

Regarding your inquiry, kindly note that cameras are permitted as long as they are not professional cameras with high profile zooming options.
Click to expand...

So I'm guessing that's a no to the 70-200mm :p
 
Thanks. Thinking about hiring a 24-70mm f/2.8L as well for which I'd need a 77mm. Hmmm.

That lens is £100 inc VAT for the period I need it with Hireacamera, so tempting!
 
Thank you Sam, really helpful. Funny that I posted a thread in GD asking for ideas of what to do and got nothing, but that's GD for you.

I'm only there for a week - 31st October to 7th November - and will be based in Abu Dhabi with my dad. Wednesday is a free day but I'll probably use that as a photo op for Abu Dhabi. Thursday we'll probably do a desert hot air balloon ride in the morning and then the overnight desert safari in the afternoon/evening through to Friday. Friday will be Dubai - posh brunch (as recommend by my dad), Burj Kalifa at sunset and then possibly dinner somewhere too. Saturday and Sunday will be the F1 so they're taken. But then I've got Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday free with no other excursions that interest me, so certainly a day or two more to go back to Dubai depending on cost. I may look into staying in Dubai one of those nights to save me from getting a taxi from Abu Dhabi there and back twice.

Will definitely give the old town a look. How are they with DSLRs on private property? Were you ok using one in malls/Burj Al Arab etc?

Oh and I have hired the 24-70mm f/2.8L :). £75 for the period and will give me a load more versatility over my other lenses.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I doubt I'm going to be carrying a tripod around during the day. In fact the only real reason I'm taking one is for some star trails in the desert.

Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated.
 
Dear Russell,

Please note that if you can send us a link to a webpage for the camera model that you wish to bring, we will be able to verify whether it will be permitted onto the circuit.
Click to expand...

Canon 60D: http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_60D/
Canon 70-200mm Lens: http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Pro...s/Telephoto_Zoom/EF_70-200mm_f2.8L_IS_II_USM/
Click to expand...

Dear Russell,

I can confirm that the camera you sent a link to will be permitted on the circuit. Please ensure that you bring it in a camera bag.
Click to expand...

Suhweet. Now I have to convince my colleague to shoot on the 100mm whilst I'm away rather than the 70-200 :p
 
Cheers Hamish. Good to know about the law, just for general knowledge if anything else. And yeah, I've had confirmation from Yas Marina that I can take the 70-200 in.

Off Topic: Do you know any excursion operators that you'd recommend? Dad's giving me a call tonight to discuss the trip and book bits and bobs and I've found these guys (http://www.dxbrooms.com/Tours/) who seem good but obviously if you have any personal experience that'd be invaluable.

Amp, you'll be pleased to hear I've picked up a Hoya Pro-1 CPL filter too :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom