There is a new post about shooting/lenses in the Galapagos. A little expansion. We are going to be in South America for six months which will include a week in the Galapagos and a month on an Antarctic cruise with the Cheeseman's Group.
Recommendations of all kinds appreciated!
This is the equipment I will be probably be carrying: 50D; 5DMKII; EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM; EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM; 16-35 2.8L II; 180mm Macro f23.5L USM; EF 24-105mm f/4L IS US; Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX; 580 EXII; Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 + 488RC2.
Currently have the 40D; will do the upgrade just before departure in October in case the 50 goes to 60, or the MKII goes to MKIII. Haven't yet bought the 70-200; still engaged in the f/2.8 cf f/4 debate.
I have been looking at both the Lee and the Singh Ray filter systems -
Hi Jay,
Not sure where in SA you are going. I just took the EFS 17-55, the 100-400, tripod and polarizer. If I had to do it over again I would have taken the 10-20 (Sigma) because there is some spectacular scenery. Especially in Torres del Paine, and the National Park in Terra del Fuego. Recolata Cemetary is very interesting too. Since I was travelling in a group they got really impatient for me to set up.
If I had to do it again don't think I would take the 100mm, but I am sure it will be much better in Antartica for this lens. I would bring the Lee 3 soft stop grad filter.
Also went to Santiago and was told to watch my camera all the time. I had a light big jacket on and covered it up when not in use. Also had people walking around me all the time. Eventually I never took it out here because I was so afraid of it being stolen. Was chatted up another time in a Fish Market with what seemed to be an eye to eventually getting my camera.
The 100-400 will be good for the guanacos, various types of geese, ducks, rheas, penguins.
A lot of the roads are dusty so bring your lens pen, or learn how to use one!
Hope this is the type of info you wanted.
Hi Jay! I arrange trips and frequently travel to Central and South America - wish I were joining you on such a nice extended trip! I'm longing to go to Antartica!
As far as equipment - it appears you have a nice balance of bodies and lenses. The 5D II will really work out nicely for landscapes and full frame wide angle images with that 16-35 and the 50D will do nicely for nature shots where you can take advantage of the 1.6 crop factor and rapid fire (at least faster than the 5D II!!). I also carry a 50mm f/1.8 II with me - it's cheap and lightweight (and not a bad little lens), but don't know how valuable it would be on the trip you described.
You don't mention an extender, you may wish to consider a 1.4x. Also, I've been using the Cokin system, but any similiar system will work. I have a couple filter holders and multiple adapters so that I can use them on all my lenses. I like to carry a couple split neutral density filters, a couple ND filters, and circular polarizers. I don't care for most of the 'effect' filters. Much easier to do those effects in Photoshop later, if you are into that!
I also love the Vested Interest vests, which allow me to have most of my valuable lenses and bodies right on me and the airlines still consider it an article of clothing, rather than a carry-on. It's nice in the field as well.
While I haven't been to Antartica yet, I have photographed in a number of very cold climates so make sure you have plenty of batteries and keep spares on you next to your body to keep them warm. They will deplete much faster in the cold. Also, make sure you have some type of weather cover for your cameras. Michael Reichmann from luminous-landscape.com recently returned from a trip to Antartica and many of the photographers were using the new 5D II. Over half of the cameras failed due to moisture getting into the cameras. Chemical handwarmers might also be nice to have!
Something else I forgot to mention - I use the battery grips on my 5D MK II (and on my 40D before I traded it). I like the extra grip it gives me and I use a leather handgrip (from Camdapter) for comfort. The extra batteries could come in handy for the colder climates as well.
Jay regarding the 70-200 I much prefer the 4.0 IS Had the 2.0 and sold it. Size makes big difference and traveling even more. Image quality is superb.
For the others is a matter personal choice. I like having a Mk3 over the 5DMk2 but I do mostly birds. Also the moisture would be a concern as Jim pointed out. Also with the MK3 your 100-400 will AF with a 1.4X extender. I have not used them much but Artie has and gotten great results (need tripod) btw take some extension tubes !!!
I would bring two sets of chargers for each type of battery you will have. I usually travel with backup chargers. I had one die on me years ago and just went to the backup.
Gosh, this is an amazing group of photographers - especially for a newbie to be able to pick the brains of so many famous shooters - thanks!
A bit more to round out what is happening and then specific questions:
We are flying into Santiago in November and the first part of the trip includes a week over the Easter Island. Then we work our way down the Eastern half of SA eventually arriving at the tip for our month with Cheeseman's to the Georgias, Falklands, and Antarctica. The second half of the six months includes Iguazu, Pantanal, Machu Pichu, etc. The last week encompasses land and SCUBA in the Gallapagos.
Needless to say - all types of shooting environments.
Rocky: thanks, never thought of that - great idea. Hate to blow it because I don't have charged batteries.
Al - I really enjoy looking at your images! You have finally put the nail in the head of the 70-200 f/2.8. Understand about the MK3; however, I will be doing a lot of landscape and want one FF body. I will have the 50D or its successor. Extension tubes for macro: I will have the 180 f/3.5 Macro - do you think I will still need the tubes?
Jim, I have the Kenko 1.4x Teleplus Pro 300 DG Teleconverter. Based upon your recommendations I will get the grips both for bodies - it will give me more shooting before having to change batteries in the cold weather. Also will look into the vest (which model do you prefer?) - sooner or later you are going to have to get a commission! :) Moisture in the bodies obviously is a concern; I will write to Michael regarding his thoughts to keep the bodies dry. Right now I have the Aqua Tech Sports Shield - however I am not married to any particular protection device and given the overall cost of the trip changing something at this early date would make sense if there are better protection products.
Jackie, ain't that the truth - impatient nonshooters! The only group we will be with during the entire trip will be on the cruise and they are all shooters. I didn't mention earlier; the second six months of our around-the-world trip will include 5 months in Europe and a month in Indonesia SCUBA diving with my brother who is a professional photographer: http://www.stevegouldphotography.com/. Thanks for the tip re Lee filters. That is another area I need to research.
Again, thanks for all of your assistance; there is a lot of time between now and then and any further thoughts/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. PS: I put a similar thread on a couple of other forums and you guys provided the most thorough information - thanks Artie for introducing me to this group.
Equipment for South America
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