Best snow lens?

innivus · 12-10-2013, 09:40 AM

Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East...

If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows?

Sagitta · 12-10-2013, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by innivus

Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East...

If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows?

Nice thing about snow, is if the sun is out, then having a fast lens doesn't really matter.

Generally speaking though, I don't think it really matters in the end - shooting snow is more of an ability to control your exposure than anything else and less on the lens in question.

jimr-pdx · 12-10-2013, 10:44 AM

Might as well take the a Limited, whether the 20-40 zoom or whatever focal length best suits your eye.
As Sagitta notes, watch the exposure! I took a couple of shots with no EV comp, and the pretty white snow turned 18% grey

Even western Oregon has snow right now, odd that nowhere is 'safe' right now

I broke my own guideline, this is the white 18-55 on my snow-cam (white K-01)

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-10-2013, 10:51 AM

Lenses that have chromatic aberration might be bothersome because of the potential high contrast situations. Flare might be an issue too.

stevebrot · 12-10-2013, 11:17 AM

Best snow lens? I guess that would be the lens that is on your camera when you are out shooting in the snow!

Steve

**rbefly** · 12-10-2013, 11:18 AM

Hello innivus,
I'd say whatever lens you normally take, as mentioned it's the Ev comp that really makes a difference.
Overall, I like the DA 35mm f/2.4AL and a 100mm macro.
Also, if it's bright sunshine, a CPL and lens hood are mandatory. All that bright light bouncing around, off the shiny white snow? A nightmare for flare, glare, loss of contrast and detail. And a microfiber cloth, there always seems to be some moisture or spray when the snow's melting.
We get a fair bit of snow-shooting here in Colorado, lot of practice!
Ron

**Rondec** · 12-10-2013, 11:20 AM

Any lens that is sealed (while it's snowing). Once the snow has finished falling, just any lens in general.

This was shot with the 50-135.

This one with the DFA 100 macro WR.

waterfall · 12-10-2013, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by innivus

Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East...

If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows?

I like the 15mm Ltd because of the flare resistance, but white balance problem is universal with all lenses. It's like wedding pics--no gray dresses allowed. Probably best route is to shoot raw and correct white balance in post.

Joojoo2010 · 12-10-2013, 11:51 AM

I agree with rondec about weathersealing. Snow can melt on lens and water go inside. water inside can even frosen again there and broke lens, at least plastic lens. Be careful with snow.

civiletti · 12-10-2013, 12:25 PM

Shooting in snow is all about exposure - though water sealing can come in handy if snow is still coming down.

amoringello · 12-10-2013, 12:42 PM

Quite honestly, the question doesn't make sense. Its along the lines of which lens is best for taking pictures.
What are you photographing, how far away, how big is the subject, how much background do you want in the photo with the subject, etc... the list of questions goes on and on, as it does for any other reason you decide which lens to use.

VisualDarkness · 12-10-2013, 01:06 PM

Outside of CA and purple fringing there isn't any special thing for image quality in snowy weather.

cali92rs · 12-10-2013, 01:18 PM

I took this with the 18-135mm WR. It was snowing at the time so the camera/lens got nice and wet.

Na Horuk · 12-10-2013, 01:24 PM

I would say just get a lens with a good lens hood. And modern coatings. Like the HD DA 40mm ltd. But recently I took a liking to UWA, so I might pack a 14mm.

**Crooski** · 12-10-2013, 01:42 PM

Each lens can be used for shooting in the snow.
Here is a picture made with a K5 and 18-55mm

Lens is the kit lens 18-55mm WR

12-10-2013, 09:40 AM	#1
innivus Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bronx NY Posts: 340	Best snow lens? Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East... If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows?

12-10-2013, 11:18 AM	#6
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Snow Days? Hello innivus, I'd say whatever lens you normally take, as mentioned it's the Ev comp that really makes a difference. Overall, I like the DA 35mm f/2.4AL and a 100mm macro. Also, if it's bright sunshine, a CPL and lens hood are mandatory. All that bright light bouncing around, off the shiny white snow? A nightmare for flare, glare, loss of contrast and detail. And a microfiber cloth, there always seems to be some moisture or spray when the snow's melting. We get a fair bit of snow-shooting here in Colorado, lot of practice! Ron

12-10-2013, 01:42 PM	#15
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,683	Best snow lens? Each lens can be used for shooting in the snow. Here is a picture made with a K5 and 18-55mm Lens is the kit lens 18-55mm WR Attached Images

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12-10-2013, 09:48 AM	#2
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	Originally posted by innivus Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East... If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows? Nice thing about snow, is if the sun is out, then having a fast lens doesn't really matter. Generally speaking though, I don't think it really matters in the end - shooting snow is more of an ability to control your exposure than anything else and less on the lens in question.

12-10-2013, 10:44 AM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Might as well take the a Limited, whether the 20-40 zoom or whatever focal length best suits your eye. As Sagitta notes, watch the exposure! I took a couple of shots with no EV comp, and the pretty white snow turned 18% grey Even western Oregon has snow right now, odd that nowhere is 'safe' right now I broke my own guideline, this is the white 18-55 on my snow-cam (white K-01)

12-10-2013, 10:51 AM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Lenses that have chromatic aberration might be bothersome because of the potential high contrast situations. Flare might be an issue too.

12-10-2013, 11:17 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Best snow lens? I guess that would be the lens that is on your camera when you are out shooting in the snow! Steve

12-10-2013, 11:20 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Any lens that is sealed (while it's snowing). Once the snow has finished falling, just any lens in general. This was shot with the 50-135. This one with the DFA 100 macro WR.

12-10-2013, 11:26 AM	#8
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	Originally posted by innivus Just a thought sparked by the recent snow in the East... If the image is the only thing to consider (aka not WR, price, etc), what lens would you take out to shoot after it snows? I like the 15mm Ltd because of the flare resistance, but white balance problem is universal with all lenses. It's like wedding pics--no gray dresses allowed. Probably best route is to shoot raw and correct white balance in post.

12-10-2013, 11:51 AM	#9
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	I agree with rondec about weathersealing. Snow can melt on lens and water go inside. water inside can even frosen again there and broke lens, at least plastic lens. Be careful with snow.

12-10-2013, 12:25 PM	#10
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Shooting in snow is all about exposure - though water sealing can come in handy if snow is still coming down.

12-10-2013, 12:42 PM	#11
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Quite honestly, the question doesn't make sense. Its along the lines of which lens is best for taking pictures. What are you photographing, how far away, how big is the subject, how much background do you want in the photo with the subject, etc... the list of questions goes on and on, as it does for any other reason you decide which lens to use.

12-10-2013, 01:06 PM	#12
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Outside of CA and purple fringing there isn't any special thing for image quality in snowy weather.

12-10-2013, 01:18 PM	#13
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	I took this with the 18-135mm WR. It was snowing at the time so the camera/lens got nice and wet.

12-10-2013, 01:24 PM	#14
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I would say just get a lens with a good lens hood. And modern coatings. Like the HD DA 40mm ltd. But recently I took a liking to UWA, so I might pack a 14mm.