Car show lenses?

[JohnFromIA]

Hi, what recommendations do you have to capture full length car images when they are parked in fairly tightly together? Amateur & will likely only attend a few per year, so not wanting to break the bank on a new lens. Will any of the Minoltas fit the bill? Thank you.

 

[Unframed Dave]

From limited experience you need low angles and wide lenses. I don't claim much success, it's a lot more difficult than you'd expect. I take a kneeling pad and a 24 - 35. The biggest problem I find is losing my own reflection in the shot.

No knowledge of minolta lenses, I'm afraid.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I agree with Dave. There usually isn't space to "zoom with your feet" so a wide zoom lens would probably suit you. And if reflections are an issue you can always try using a CPL filter.

 

[JohnFromIA]

From limited experience you need low angles and wide lenses. I don't claim much success, it's a lot more difficult than you'd expect. I take a kneeling pad and a 24 - 35. The biggest problem I find is losing my own reflection in the shot.

No knowledge of minolta lenses, I'm afraid.

Thanks Dave. I chuckled re: the kneeling pad because that’s exactly what I needed! Photography is a different animal in my 50s than it was in my youthful days.

 

[JohnFromIA]

I agree with Dave. There usually isn't space to "zoom with your feet" so a wide zoom lens would probably suit you. And if reflections are an issue you can always try using a CPL filter.

I appreciate your feedback re: the filter. My reflection was in upwards of 1/3 of my images, so I do not want to repeat that.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I appreciate your feedback re: the filter. My reflection was in upwards of 1/3 of my images, so I do not want to repeat that.

To be clear, a circular polarizer will cut down on reflections and glare, but won't eliminate it entirely. Do you normally go to car meets/shows that are outside, or the kind of car shows where the entrants are parked inside a large hall/tent?

 

[THXGEEK]

Some software might help with unwanted reflections. I use Topaz Photo AI for touching up and removing unwanted elements. It is NOT perfect and can sometime leave some funky artifacts.

As always, YMMV.

 

[JohnFromIA]

To be clear, a circular polarizer will cut down on reflections and glare, but won't eliminate it entirely. Do you normally go to car meets/shows that are outside, or the kind of car shows where the entrants are parked inside a large hall/tent?

Yes, the only ones I’ve attended have been outdoors. There’s a giant show coming up in July that I want to be ready for. 5000 vehicles!

 

[Richard A]

To be clear, a circular polarizer will cut down on reflections and glare, but won't eliminate it entirely.

I don't know what camera @JohnFromIA will be using but you don't need a circular polariser with mirrorless cameras. You can use a linear polariser. Linear polarisers generally have the advantage that you get less of a colour cast. They are also often cheaper. If you already have a circular polariser there is no need to go out and buy a linear one as well though.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I don't know what camera @JohnFromIA will be using but you don't need a circular polariser with mirrorless cameras. You can use a linear polariser. Linear polarisers generally have the advantage that you get less of a colour cast. They are also often cheaper. If you already have a circular polariser there is no need to go out and buy a linear one as well though.

Interesting: I only considered the CPL because of how convenient they are to pack into the camera bag. I did not consider any other type of polarizers.

 

[Richard A]

They look exactly the same (and do the same thing). The glass filter part is different. With the advent of auto focus SLR's, the linear polarisers caused problems because of the semi transparent mirrors so circular polarisers became popular but they are not required for mirrorless cameras.