Originally Posted by
Cliff Beittel
Vladimir,
It's a long way from Santa Cruz to Isabella, San Cristobal, or Floreana. Even if there were a water taxi (I don't know that there is), I believe you would still need a permit for the national park landing sites on those islands (if there is a water taxi, it almost certainly wouldn't be dropping you at the park landing sites). As far as I know, the only practical way to photograph the three islands you mentioned is a live-aboard boat with a licensed guide. Unless your guide has a boat, I think you will be out of luck. If you could find a licensed guide with a boat willing to take you (and I assume from "we" a spouse, partner, or friend), I believe it would be expensive. Best to try getting on a 10-day tour in advance.
Flash: officially no, and I wouldn't take it, though annoyingly you'll see lots of flashes from point-and-shoots whose owners either can't turn it off or don't know how. Focal length: for a 1Ds mark III, I'd want at least a 400 f4 or 500 f4, plus coverage of shorter focal lengths down to 16, 20, or 24mm.