Is anyone familiar with the Osa Peninsula/Corcovado region of Costa Rica? Any suggestions about to what to bring? My photo equipment for the trip is as follows- Canon Rebel EOS XTI 10 MP, Canon 70-300mm IS lens, Canon 50-70mm lens, one 4 GB card & one 1 GB card, 80GB HD, Canon 200D Carrying Case. Does this sound sufficient? This will be my first photo expedition with my new IS lens.....before I was using a Phoenix 100-300mm lens without IS which only cost about $150...this new lens was $600. Should I notice a good difference in image quality? Thanks- Brandon
I'm familiar with Corcovado. If you have a macro lens, you'll definitely find it useful. Lots and lots of bugs, critters, amphibians, etc. I'd also bring along a wider lens, if you have one. You might get some nice sunsets. You'll no doubt see monkeys, birds, maybe some sloths... but it can be a challenge shooting under the forest canopy. An external flash and better beamer, which isn't very expensive, would also be useful.
If you've got a lightweight tripod, it will be a good idea to bring it along.
Also, a lightweight rain jacket and something to protect your gear from the rain and the dampness.
I'm not familiar with the Phoenix lens, but I have to think that you'll notice a difference now that you've upgraded. I used a Canon 75-300 USM IS on a couple of Costa Rica trips with good results.
I've been to the southwest corner of Corcovado. I had a 500f4 (and a 1.4x extender) with a 1DMkII (1.3x conversion factor) and wished (numerous times) I had brought my 600f4 for birds and monkeys. That said, you can get acceptable bird and monkey shots with shorter lenses, it's just that you won't have as many opportunities as you would if you had longer lenses. If you want macro subjects, take a 25mm extension tube along, cheap and light. Expect very hot temperatures along with humidity, when it isn't raining. The dry season is better for you and your gear, but the wet season will bring out more red-eyed tree frogs and poison dart frogs.
Definitely take a flash with better beamer along, the canopy creates a lot of shade and a lot of contrast when the sun is shining. A tripod is also an essential piece of gear.
Discussion
2 repliesI'm familiar with Corcovado. If you have a macro lens, you'll definitely find it useful. Lots and lots of bugs, critters, amphibians, etc. I'd also bring along a wider lens, if you have one. You might get some nice sunsets. You'll no doubt see monkeys, birds, maybe some sloths... but it can be a challenge shooting under the forest canopy. An external flash and better beamer, which isn't very expensive, would also be useful.
If you've got a lightweight tripod, it will be a good idea to bring it along.
Also, a lightweight rain jacket and something to protect your gear from the rain and the dampness.
I'm not familiar with the Phoenix lens, but I have to think that you'll notice a difference now that you've upgraded. I used a Canon 75-300 USM IS on a couple of Costa Rica trips with good results.
Good luck and have fun out there.
Jason
Definitely take a flash with better beamer along, the canopy creates a lot of shade and a lot of contrast when the sun is shining. A tripod is also an essential piece of gear.