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Hi,

Had a quick browse at the forum and seems like there was a jenolan caves trip organised some time ago. Wonder if anyone can provide any advice from experience. Going there this sunday and I think it will be tricky as I've read tripods are not allowed.

I've got the kit lens + 50mm f1.8.

thanks,
lowster

With those lenses only I think you'll find it quite a challenge. Use a highish ISO (say 1000). Use flash wherever possible otherwise you'll be doing long exposures and be susceptible to camera movement. My experience was my best shots were wide angle so make the most of the kit lens. If you're going in a normal tourist group you'll probably get coloured lights too (NOT good for getting pics ). Also go for a wander outside the caves. The entrance is great for pics as are some of the old buildings.

Personally, I wouldn't bother taking the kit lens, just the 50mm - with no tripod and the crowds they get on the public trips, you'll be strugling unfortunately. I'd bump the ISO up quite a bit and hope for the best.

Something else to watch for is condensation as soon as you get in the cave - it's really quite humid in there, and you'll spend the first few minutes waiting for your lens to clear!

We were extremely lucky last year in that we had a private guide to take us (in 2 groups) through some of the best bits. We were allowed to use tripods, and all was well with the world

You may be able to get some good pics - I remember seeing on DPR ages ago someone claiming to have gotten good results handheld.

Others will have different ideas, but if I was going back in a public tour, I'd stick with the 50mm

Check out http://www.sheepie.smugmug.com/keyword/jenolan for some examples.
The following were hand-held with the 50mm 1.8:




Some of the buildings Stubbsy mentioned:



And a rather scarey group of individuals...




Looking forward to seeing your results - and remember to just have fun, enjoy the moment. It's a special place

I will just reiterate what others have said - Hi Iso, and only bother with the 50/1.8 and flash. You can see some of my better shots (still not good) at:

http://photos.ozonejunkie.com/v/occasions/caves/

Can not wait to see how you go - it is a pity that they don't normally allow tripods, but I can understand where they are coming from.

Tristan

he he ....its good to see that Pick of the DslR Camping Sub group

Thanks all for the suggestions and some excellent photos. I'll take a few and hopefully, some photos will turn out ok using handheld.

Will let you know. Cheers.

I'd forgotten about that 'camp' photo

If you want to go to caves where there is less crowds then Wombeyan caves, which is much further south from the Jenolan caves is also a good choice.

or

Go after the schools go back.