Tunnel Tour - Tulsa

jspi · 08-09-2019, 11:16 AM

There's tunnels in Tulsa which, rumors are, were used to move alcohol during prohibition. Tomorrow my wife and I are taking a tour but it's a new photography subject for us. I'm Pentax, she's Canon, and we're debating what lenses to take.

Lens options we have...

Canon t7i
10-20mm
24mm prime
50mm prime
11mm manual fisheye
18-55mm f/2.8

Pentax K3 II
40mm prime
50mm prime
11mm manual fisheye
17-50mm f/2.8

I will also be taking my Panasonic gx85 with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Obviously, we don't want to carry all that (plus water) for a couple hours. Anyone have experience with tunnels? Suggestions on lenses to pack? We'll probably take flashes but won't use them unless it's necessary.

---------- Post added 08-09-19 at 06:57 PM ----------

Searching Flickr... Looks like tunnels in general are shot between 10mm and 30mm (while inside the tunnel). I guess that answers which lenses to take but other suggestions are welcome. We'll be with a group so I'm not sure how much photo time we'll get.

wstruth · 08-09-2019, 11:59 AM

I haven't really shot in tunnels but the ones I've been in (service tunnels) don't have the best lighting. I would expect that something wide a fast would be good. Those 2.8 zooms you both have would be my choices.

steve_k · 08-09-2019, 12:47 PM

I second the 2.8 zooms.

**Apet-Sure** · 08-09-2019, 01:04 PM

A couple thoughts - between your wife's 10-20mm and your 17-50mm, you've got a good range of focal lengths for tunnels. You and she can coordinate who takes which shot. I suspect that the group won't want to wait while you change lenses for a shot, unless it's a group of photographers. (Is the outing primarily a walking tour or a photo excursion?) If it were me, I'd stick with those two zooms. How important would it be to swap to a prime for the best IQ? Alternatively, one of you could use your best zoom and the other one your best prime.

When I've gone on walks with a group, I have often found myself stopping to take a certain shot, then having to run to catch up with the group. It can be a little frustrating. The faster you can grab a shot, the better.

jspi · 08-09-2019, 01:43 PM

It's a walking tour. So changing lenses isn't ideal since we're with the general public. Time consuming and don't want someone carelessly knocking a lens out of my hand.

The 11mm are f/2.8 but difficult to focus. I'm tempted to try anyway as it could be some cool shots.

I'm leaning towards 17-50 f/2.8 &18-55 f/2.8 but we try to use different lens to get different shots. Not sure her 10-20mm kit lens will let in enough light or if the flash will work well in that situation (she hasn't used it before - a recent gift).

Worst case, we'll have to go on the tour again.

jddwoods · 08-09-2019, 02:27 PM

Looks to me the two 2.8 zooms are your best choices. If your 50 is a fast f1.7 or f1.4, I would bring that too.

MaineNative · 08-09-2019, 03:31 PM

Another vote for the 17-50 for the Pentax. I don’t own the lens, but I don’t think you need anything longer. I also agree you probable don’t want to stop and switch lenses. The 17-50 gives you some wide shots or close-ups. The tunnels are probably also dusty which is another reason not to switch lenses.

**gaweidert** · 08-10-2019, 05:29 AM

With the lenses you have for your Pentax, the 17 -50 would be good but probably not wide enough. To work around that think of possibly stitching photos together when composing your shot. If not a photo tour you may be limited to mostly grab shots. Extra batteries for the flash too.

jspi · 08-10-2019, 02:36 PM

The tour was good but the tunnels weren't what I expected. All but one had been renovated so they look like hallways, not tunnels. Not a great photo tour.

But... Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing. Good tour if you go for the historical information. I'll probably post a couple photos this evening.

Next month is the art deco tour and that may be a better photo tour.

jspi · 08-10-2019, 11:00 PM

The one photo from an actual tunnel. Looks like minimal work had been done since it was created.
https://flic.kr/p/2gUxGfZ

Beautiful lights in one of the old buildings.
https://flic.kr/p/2gUxFAx
https://flic.kr/p/2gUwKoo

Bronze statue in one of the buildings. Not the original location and the elbow is not resting on the books.
https://flic.kr/p/2gUwFkU

The full album is here but there's only a couple tunnel photos.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmG1FJZ6

**Just1MoreDave** · 08-11-2019, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by jspi

The tour was good but the tunnels weren't what I expected. All but one had been renovated so they look like hallways, not tunnels. Not a great photo tour.

But... Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing. Good tour if you go for the historical information. I'll probably post a couple photos this evening.

Next month is the art deco tour and that may be a better photo tour.

Doug Jackson probably has SV Seeker tours, though he is in the middle of painting.

jspi · 08-11-2019, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Doug Jackson probably has SV Seeker tours, though he is in the middle of painting.

Never heard of it but it looks interesting. I'll have to add it to my list of things to visit.

TaoMaas · 08-14-2019, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by jspi

Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing.

Tulsa has some very cool buildings downtown. Of the ones I've visited, I like the Philcade Building the best.

08-09-2019, 11:16 AM	#1
jspi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 261	Tunnel Tour - Tulsa There's tunnels in Tulsa which, rumors are, were used to move alcohol during prohibition. Tomorrow my wife and I are taking a tour but it's a new photography subject for us. I'm Pentax, she's Canon, and we're debating what lenses to take. Lens options we have... Canon t7i 10-20mm 24mm prime 50mm prime 11mm manual fisheye 18-55mm f/2.8 Pentax K3 II 40mm prime 50mm prime 11mm manual fisheye 17-50mm f/2.8 I will also be taking my Panasonic gx85 with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Obviously, we don't want to carry all that (plus water) for a couple hours. Anyone have experience with tunnels? Suggestions on lenses to pack? We'll probably take flashes but won't use them unless it's necessary. ---------- Post added 08-09-19 at 06:57 PM ---------- Searching Flickr... Looks like tunnels in general are shot between 10mm and 30mm (while inside the tunnel). I guess that answers which lenses to take but other suggestions are welcome. We'll be with a group so I'm not sure how much photo time we'll get.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature And Now I'm Only 250,000 Miles From Tulsa....:))	Tonytee	Post Your Photos!	2	06-25-2018 03:16 PM
Moonrise Over Tulsa	Geodude	Monthly Photo Contests	4	03-03-2015 06:55 PM
Landscape Supermoon Over Tulsa	rdharkins	Post Your Photos!	2	05-06-2012 03:36 PM
Misc Occupy Tulsa 10/15	Venturi	Post Your Photos!	6	10-16-2011 07:57 AM
Philbrook Museum Gardens in Tulsa, OK	Brian Wahl	Post Your Photos!	2	07-02-2007 09:15 AM

08-09-2019, 11:59 AM	#2
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	I haven't really shot in tunnels but the ones I've been in (service tunnels) don't have the best lighting. I would expect that something wide a fast would be good. Those 2.8 zooms you both have would be my choices.

08-09-2019, 12:47 PM	#3
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	I second the 2.8 zooms.

08-09-2019, 01:04 PM	#4
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	A couple thoughts - between your wife's 10-20mm and your 17-50mm, you've got a good range of focal lengths for tunnels. You and she can coordinate who takes which shot. I suspect that the group won't want to wait while you change lenses for a shot, unless it's a group of photographers. (Is the outing primarily a walking tour or a photo excursion?) If it were me, I'd stick with those two zooms. How important would it be to swap to a prime for the best IQ? Alternatively, one of you could use your best zoom and the other one your best prime. When I've gone on walks with a group, I have often found myself stopping to take a certain shot, then having to run to catch up with the group. It can be a little frustrating. The faster you can grab a shot, the better.

08-09-2019, 01:43 PM	#5
jspi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 261 Original Poster	It's a walking tour. So changing lenses isn't ideal since we're with the general public. Time consuming and don't want someone carelessly knocking a lens out of my hand. The 11mm are f/2.8 but difficult to focus. I'm tempted to try anyway as it could be some cool shots. I'm leaning towards 17-50 f/2.8 &18-55 f/2.8 but we try to use different lens to get different shots. Not sure her 10-20mm kit lens will let in enough light or if the flash will work well in that situation (she hasn't used it before - a recent gift). Worst case, we'll have to go on the tour again.

08-09-2019, 02:27 PM	#6
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Looks to me the two 2.8 zooms are your best choices. If your 50 is a fast f1.7 or f1.4, I would bring that too.

08-09-2019, 03:31 PM	#7
MaineNative Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 280	Another vote for the 17-50 for the Pentax. I don’t own the lens, but I don’t think you need anything longer. I also agree you probable don’t want to stop and switch lenses. The 17-50 gives you some wide shots or close-ups. The tunnels are probably also dusty which is another reason not to switch lenses.

08-10-2019, 05:29 AM	#8
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	With the lenses you have for your Pentax, the 17 -50 would be good but probably not wide enough. To work around that think of possibly stitching photos together when composing your shot. If not a photo tour you may be limited to mostly grab shots. Extra batteries for the flash too.

08-10-2019, 02:36 PM	#9
jspi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 261 Original Poster	The tour was good but the tunnels weren't what I expected. All but one had been renovated so they look like hallways, not tunnels. Not a great photo tour. But... Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing. Good tour if you go for the historical information. I'll probably post a couple photos this evening. Next month is the art deco tour and that may be a better photo tour.

08-10-2019, 11:00 PM	#10
jspi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 261 Original Poster	The one photo from an actual tunnel. Looks like minimal work had been done since it was created. https://flic.kr/p/2gUxGfZ Beautiful lights in one of the old buildings. https://flic.kr/p/2gUxFAx https://flic.kr/p/2gUwKoo Bronze statue in one of the buildings. Not the original location and the elbow is not resting on the books. https://flic.kr/p/2gUwFkU The full album is here but there's only a couple tunnel photos. https://flic.kr/s/aHsmG1FJZ6

08-11-2019, 04:42 PM	#11
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by jspi The tour was good but the tunnels weren't what I expected. All but one had been renovated so they look like hallways, not tunnels. Not a great photo tour. But... Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing. Good tour if you go for the historical information. I'll probably post a couple photos this evening. Next month is the art deco tour and that may be a better photo tour. Doug Jackson probably has SV Seeker tours, though he is in the middle of painting.

08-11-2019, 05:11 PM	#12
jspi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 261 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Doug Jackson probably has SV Seeker tours, though he is in the middle of painting. Never heard of it but it looks interesting. I'll have to add it to my list of things to visit.

08-14-2019, 07:11 AM	#13
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by jspi Many of the buildings they connect are over 100 years old. And those buildings are worth photographing. Tulsa has some very cool buildings downtown. Of the ones I've visited, I like the Philcade Building the best.