SL1 goes summer skiing with the 10-18 and 18-135

Peter63 · Jun 11, 2014

I bought my SL1 because I wanted a small camera that could go hiking and skiing. Skiing shots require fast focus so the EOS-M was not up to it. My original intention was to just take the 40 or 18-55 but the 18-135 has such a nice range that I started carrying that. Now with the 10-18 I have a huge range with small kit.

I am still getting used to the 10-18 and though I have gotten some good photos with it I am not wowed by any of them yet. When I got the Tokina 16-28 for my 6D, there was quite a learning curve but eventually I was rewarded with excellent (to me) photos. I am hoping for a similar, if more modest, experience with the 10-18.

The 18-135 seems to be doing a good job of turning out nice photos. I am still working on getting used to the whole package in the harsh lighting of summer snow. Since climbing and skiing is the first priority, pictures often have to be taken on the fly in less than desirable conditions.

Here are a few from Van Trump Park on Mount Rainier and the last 4 are from Vesper Peak near Granite Falls, WA.

I was taking a shot of a Beargrass bloom when I noticed the moth. When looking at the moth I noticed the spider.

18-135 f10 at 76mm

18-135 f10 at 18mm

Comet Falls

10-18 f8 at 18mm

10-18 f8 at 10mm

10-18 f9 at 10mm

Awesome snow in June

looking back up

Start of the snow in Wirtz Basin

summit in view

not as steep as it looks

a little narrow in spots, part of the summer skiing experience

STR54 · Jun 12, 2014

Those pics just look cold, for late spring anyway. Curious as to what altitude you encountered the snow? The one image showing the jet contrails above looks like you could almost reach up and touch them!

Peter63 · Jun 12, 2014

On Rainier, there was continuous skiable snow above 5000 ft. We stopped at 9800 and I think the contrail photo was about 9500. On Vesper peak continuous snow started at 3100 in a N facing valley.

It was actually pretty warm. On the climb up there were times when the breeze stopped for a while and we would overheat, when the cool downdraft from higher on the mountain starts again it feels so sweet.

I am still trying to figure out metering on the snow. If the frame is filled by snow I can add 2/3 stop and it comes out well. If it is a mixture of snow and rock or trees I haven't been able to get it right without checking each shot. I have only been using evaluative and spot so maybe I will try center weighted next time. Auto WB seems a shade too yellow sometimes as well.

Anybody have some tips for shooting snow/sun/sky environments?

Digirame · Jun 12, 2014

I think for hiking that the 18-135mm lens must be perfect. When I'm hiking I bring with me two cameras and lenses so that I have a 18-250mm lens range. But it's not too often that I'll use it past 135mm focal length, however it's nice at times to have that extra reach.

DeMaatin · Jul 12, 2014

Peter,

nice shots!

There is nothing wrong with the 10-18, as far as I can see. With a SuperWA lens, the foreground becomes increasingly dominant and the background seems to be far away.

So get close first, then get closer.

The Wirtz Valley photo is a good starting point.

Wide angle lenses are having a built-in learning curve, and not many people are willing to try hard to master their tools. That is why there are so many awful "GoPro Hero" videos out there, they spread like the bubonic plague, and most users never even bothered to read the manual...

In skilled hands, the 10-18 does seem to be a real winner, w/o breaking the bank.

Regards,

Martin

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SL1 goes summer skiing with the 10-18 and 18-135

Peter63

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STR54

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