Posted by Carol Nichols on April 26, 2013 at 9:40 AM
I am so excited that I will be going on a two week cruise of the Galapagos islands in a couple of months. The cruise is on a small boat (14 passengers) and is only for photographers, so I should have lots of good shooting opportunities. I think I have read just about everything that can be found on the web, but I know that a number of NPN members have been to the Galapagos and I sure would love any advice they can give me about the equipment I plan to take, any photo tips for the islands, and any non-photography advice as well.
I do not have any money left to buy new equipment, so I hope what I have will do. Here is my equipment list:
Canon 5D Mark III (full frame)
Canon 5D (full frame)
16-35mm lens (I don't think I will take this lens)
24-105mm f/4 IS lens
70-200mm f/4 IS lens
300mm f/4 IS lens
I found the 100-400mm lens to be perfect for the Galapagos, so I have a feeling your 70-200 may be your primary lens (especially if it works well with a teleconverter). Some of the wildlife can get very close, so I'm just not sure how often you'll use the 300mm fixed lens. It's also a reason to possibly consider bringing the wide angle lens. My favorite shot from my trip was taken at about 15-16mm when a young sea lion approached very close.
I don't think I ever used a tripod once.
By the way, the water excursions every day on our trip were really fun, and we had some close encounters with numerous species while snorkeling. I assume/hope your tour includes this, and if so, I'd definitely consider some sort of underwater photo solution... either a point-and-shoot with a housing or some sort of basic housing to use with your second body.
The Galapagos was one of the more fun trips I've ever been on, thanks to the incredible close-up wildlife experiences and a nice mix of land and water-based excursions. You should have a blast.
Couldn't agree more on what Max said. I'd leave the 300 home. I also never used the tripod I dragged around - but you might take the monopod. Do take the wide-angle.
Practice exposures before you go, if you're not pretty confident. Rely on your histogram. There are lots of black and white things that are tricky to expose. To be safe, consider bracketing many shots.
Also practice your burst settings and technique. There will be interactions you'll want to catch.
I second the vote for a waterproof small point and shoot. you'll likely be swimming wiuth the penguins and might be lucky to catch them - they are very fast underwater.
Take twice the storage you think you'll need! In 2 weeks, you'll likely have a couple thousand images. You don't want to have to spend every evening editing and deleting. Since this is a incomprable trip, back everything up twice. Losing images would be a disaster.
Clean your cameras and lenses every night - the salt water mist can be deadly. If possible, take a large waterproof bag to put your whole camera case in (or whatever you take ashore.) You'll be taking a Panga from your boat to the shore every day, and sometimes you'll be wading to land from the Panga in 2-3 feet of water. If your camera bag is secure, you'll feel a lot safer.
Take neosporin. The little cuts and scrapes, especially from coral, get infected easily. You'll be climbing over rocks occasionally, as some shorelines are rocky.
You'll have a wonderful time and will remember every second. But, still, take notes or use the recording device on your camera. You may not remember which island is which after awhile. and later on, you'll want to know.
One more thing - it really isn't a safe place to go without a nurse. I'd volunteer!
Sandy
Posted by Lance Warley on April 26, 2013 at 3:40 PM
Ditto all the above. Forget the 300, take the 16-35, and consider renting a 100-400 instead of the 70-200. The 16-35, 24-105, and 100-400 will do it for you.
Ditto what everyone else has said. Leave the tripod home. I'm skeptical a big telephot is necessary. Getting close to the subjects is rarely a problem.
And by all means get a small waterproof; you'll spend the hot parts of the day snorkeling. Water clarity varies widely, but it's great fun to try and shoot the seals, penguins, sharks, turtles, marine iguana and universities (extremely large schools) of fish that you will want to photograph.
Sandy's point on a watertight gear bag are critical. Ideally, it's one with shoulder straps so you can carry it easily. Entering and exiting the panga you'll really ant you gear in a watertight (not just waterproof) bag.
Sunhat, lots of sunscreen, wetsuit (the Humboldt Current is cold), and a good repair kit.
Discussion
4 repliesI do not have any money left to buy new equipment, so I hope what I have will do. Here is my equipment list:
Canon 5D Mark III (full frame)
Canon 5D (full frame)
16-35mm lens (I don't think I will take this lens)
24-105mm f/4 IS lens
70-200mm f/4 IS lens
300mm f/4 IS lens
Gitzo tripod & RRS ballhead
Gitzo monopod & RRS monopod head
What would you take or leave behind?
Thanks in advance for any information/recommendations you can give to me.
I don't think I ever used a tripod once.
By the way, the water excursions every day on our trip were really fun, and we had some close encounters with numerous species while snorkeling. I assume/hope your tour includes this, and if so, I'd definitely consider some sort of underwater photo solution... either a point-and-shoot with a housing or some sort of basic housing to use with your second body.
The Galapagos was one of the more fun trips I've ever been on, thanks to the incredible close-up wildlife experiences and a nice mix of land and water-based excursions. You should have a blast.
Max
Practice exposures before you go, if you're not pretty confident. Rely on your histogram. There are lots of black and white things that are tricky to expose. To be safe, consider bracketing many shots.
Also practice your burst settings and technique. There will be interactions you'll want to catch.
I second the vote for a waterproof small point and shoot. you'll likely be swimming wiuth the penguins and might be lucky to catch them - they are very fast underwater.
Take twice the storage you think you'll need! In 2 weeks, you'll likely have a couple thousand images. You don't want to have to spend every evening editing and deleting. Since this is a incomprable trip, back everything up twice. Losing images would be a disaster.
Clean your cameras and lenses every night - the salt water mist can be deadly. If possible, take a large waterproof bag to put your whole camera case in (or whatever you take ashore.) You'll be taking a Panga from your boat to the shore every day, and sometimes you'll be wading to land from the Panga in 2-3 feet of water. If your camera bag is secure, you'll feel a lot safer.
Take neosporin. The little cuts and scrapes, especially from coral, get infected easily. You'll be climbing over rocks occasionally, as some shorelines are rocky.
You'll have a wonderful time and will remember every second. But, still, take notes or use the recording device on your camera. You may not remember which island is which after awhile. and later on, you'll want to know.
One more thing - it really isn't a safe place to go without a nurse. I'd volunteer!
Sandy
And by all means get a small waterproof; you'll spend the hot parts of the day snorkeling. Water clarity varies widely, but it's great fun to try and shoot the seals, penguins, sharks, turtles, marine iguana and universities (extremely large schools) of fish that you will want to photograph.
Sandy's point on a watertight gear bag are critical. Ideally, it's one with shoulder straps so you can carry it easily. Entering and exiting the panga you'll really ant you gear in a watertight (not just waterproof) bag.
Sunhat, lots of sunscreen, wetsuit (the Humboldt Current is cold), and a good repair kit.
Who's your guide?