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newbie going to iceland soon, should i rent a better lens or camera?

iceland northernlights renting lense

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5 replies to this topic

#1
sks

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Hello! I am a beginner who is going to Iceland in a few weeks to hopefully see The Northern Lights. I have a D5100, with only the kit lens. So far, I have mostly used the automatic setting, but am trying to learn my camera.

 

I have an opportunity to rent a lens or even a camera. The 2 lenses I am considering renting are the Tamron SP AF Di II LD 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Wide Angle Lens for Nikon, or  the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED. The camera I am considering renting is the D5500. I will purchase a tripod.

 

Should I rent a lens or camera (or both)? Or, is it possible to get a decent shot with my camera/lens(of course with Mother Naure's help)?

 

 I do appreciate any and all help. Thank you in advance.

 

 

#2
Merco_61

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Your D5100 should be usable. Renting a body can be problematic as the newer models in the same series are similar, but not quite in use so you will miss shots as settings aren't exactly where you are used to. Depending on the character of the northern lights, a kit lens might be wide enough, but an ultrawideangle lens fits the brief better. The Tamron is a better choice as it is wider. The 14-24 is a wonderful tool on an FX body, but 14 on DX doesn't give the same wow factor.



#3
M.Beier

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Hi there!

Welcome to the forum

 

D5100 is in my book a bit obsolete body, however it is doable! If I was you I'd consider renting a body+wide angle for iceland, and then buy a 50mm prime.

The D810, if not too expensive, would be a good choice, yet D610 will be plenty.

 

Why the pro lenses? Iceland can be crap weather from start to end of your trip, and weather sealing isnt a concern in the pro bodies.

 

Hope you have a nice trip.

 

Summed up:
Rent

D810

Tamron 15-30 or Nikon 14-24

 

Buy:

50mm prime 



#4
ScottinPollock

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I guess my question would be "what's wrong with your d5100?" 

 

From a performance standpoint, DXOMark shows the 5500 and 5100 to have pretty much unnoticeable differences in color depth and dynamic range, and less than a third of a stop better ISO performance... so hardly obsolete.

 

Bottom line is that if you're expecting a d5500 to take noticeably better photos than your d5100, I think you will be disappointed.

 

As Peter said, do go for a lens around 10mm at the wide end as that will provide much more dramatic perspectives than your kit lens. 



#5
sks

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After much consideration, I have decided not to rent anything. I think I jumped the gun with my post... I am a true beginner, and am really not all that comfortable with the manual settings yet. I will enjoy my first time to Iceland, and perhaps I will be lucky enough to see The Northern Lights. If that happens, maybe I'll  capture something!

 

Thank you very much for your responses, it is much appreciated. I will be reading these forums, and learning from you all...

 

thanks again!



#6
morrigan_2575

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I'm going in November. Please come back and post your experience and any tips.

Have a wonderful time!